Hello,
My name is Sam, I’m 51 years old, originally from Long Beach, CA. now living in Phoenix, AZ. I have been a maintenance mechanic all my career. In the mid ‘90s I noticed nodules in my left palm and my little finger was contracting. I was diagnosed with Dupuytrens and told not to worry about it unless it got worse. In Nov. of ’99 my right elbow was crushed, and I had reconstructive surgery over a 6 month period using tendon from my wrist to repair the elbow. During the following 6 months of PT for my elbow, I developed Dupuytrens quickly in my right hand, to the point all my fingers were contracted (which leads me to believe trauma and/or the healing process from it does progress it). In July of ’03 it had progressed to the point of having difficulty doing simple things and my job. I found a surgeon in Long Beach who specialized in Dupuytrens and had the open palm surgery. During the following 3 months of PT, pain, discomfort and pain pills, my left hand began to progress effecting all 4 fingers and the thumb. I let it go until July ’06, found a specialist in Phoenix and had the open palm surgery. Due to the length of surgery (appox 8 hrs) and lose of blood flow to the little finger, the surgeon was only able to open the first joint of the little finger. After another 3 months of PT, pain and frustration ( I’m left handed) I had to go back to work due to financial problems.
Now for the side effects:
My right hand operated on in’03 there is an area in the palm the size of a 50 cent piece that is numb with needle & pin feeling around it. The little & index finger is contracting again (the little finger is about 80 degrees now). I am awakened several times a night with a burning and stinging sensation in both hands. My left hand operated on in ‘06 is numb from the first joint of the index finger to the base of the thumb with needle & pin feeling around it. The tips of the index & middle finger are numb. The ring finger is already starting to contract again.
With this disease and the post problems with my elbow, I’m now seriously considering apply for SSD and would like to here from others about there outcome. If anyone would like anymore info please reply.
Thanks for listening

Jim,
Thanks for replying. I can relate to your little finger. After surgery I was told my little finger couldn’t be completely fixed and it wasn’t until the bandages came off the first time that I relized it was more in the way than before. It also interfered with PT for the other fingers. The first thought I had was why didn’t he just remove it, but now I’m glad he didn’t. I will be looking into those other alternatives if I need to do this again.
Thanks again and good luck with yours.

HOWS THIS CONDITION REMEDIED -PLEASE HELP -TOO YOUNG FOR THIS DEBILITATING DISEASE!

Well I have read several things in the forum, I am 42 and have had 5 suregeries total on both hands with very limited results for sure. everything looks good for awhile and then the contractures return. I am currently looking into N/A and the possibilities I have working through scar tissue. I live in the DFW area and I cant find any doctors in Texas that do that; Closest I have found is in Florida.
I still have the tingling and sensations you all speak of at night or sometimes during the day~ it can be pretty intense for sure.. My 1st surgery was when I was 31, all the doctors say I have a rapidly progressing disease. I would have N/A done yearly as opposed to Open every 3 or 4 years.. the down time with Open is terrible. and the amazing pain after surgery is worse than any surgery I have ever had... (3 knee opertations)
So if anyone has a doctor they can recommend who is closer to Dallas/Ft Worth than Florida please let me know.
Chas