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04/21/2008 21:13
guestnot registered
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04/21/2008 21:13
guestnot registered
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Use it or lose it?
Hi,
I have recently been diagnosed with Dupuytren's at the early stage. Currently I have a big nodule on my palm but no contracture as of yet. I've had this for about three years now. I'm 44 years old now so this started in my early 40's.
I've been playing guitar quite a lot over the past two plus years. My question is, how does guitar playing effect this condition? I'm wondering if the guitar playing has brought it on, or if I stop playing will the disease progress faster. Does anyone have experience with this or something similar?
Duane.
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04/23/2008 07:43
clynton 
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04/23/2008 07:43
clynton
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Re: Use it or lose it?
Hi Duane
I also have a lump in the palm on my right hand at 41. From what I can make out there is definitely a genetic predisposition for the disease. However repeated trauma to the palm seems to bring on DD much earlier than usual, as with mine, and pastimes like rock climbing.
I wouldn't have thought playing the guitar was a problem at all - unless it involves bashing your palm on it or something.
During my reading I haven't seen a stronger link with musicians and DD at all.
Clynton
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04/24/2008 15:02
Dave
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04/24/2008 15:02
Dave
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Re: Use it or lose it?
I've had three surgeries, one open and two NAs, and still have about a 20-degree bend in my left little finger. Nevertheless, I started to learn to play the guitar last fall. There is no dexterity problem but there is a bit of an angle problem. My little fingertip doesn't go where my instinct says it will go (since it's, well, bent) and I have to devote a little mental power to correct for that.
Dave
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06/07/2008 06:06
Fiddlernot registered
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06/07/2008 06:06
Fiddlernot registered
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Re: Use it or lose it?
I have had this condition for 20 years - started when I was 35. I play violin, piano and guitar professionaly, although now after my third hand operation I have suffered nerve damage and a year after the last surgery, it has come back with a vengence. I probably will not be playing music much longer as the fingers on my left hand, which is especially critical for violin, are becoming very stiff. The last surgery, which went up into my little finger was disasterous, caused much numbness and lumpiness, and the finger is pretty much now now useful. My first two surgeries went very well with little scarring and no problems - but no fingers were involved, only the palm. My suggestions to musicians considering the surgery - and in reading the forum there are a LOT of them - delay as long as you can. My surgeon said the same thing as well - just wait until it gets really bad, because the risks are high as well.
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07/12/2008 21:49
CathT
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07/12/2008 21:49
CathT
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Re: Use it or lose it?
I’m a 21 year old female, just got diagnosed with Dupuytren’s. I’ve been rock climbing fairly seriously for the past few years, and when I first noticed the nodules on my palm a few months ago I thought it was probably a climbing injury. The doctor who gave me the diagnosis didn’t seem to know a lot about DC and didn’t mention that the early onset might be caused by hand trauma due to climbing (I do have family history of DC, but as I understand, developing it this young is quite unusual). Does anyone know what the best thing to do is as far as hand activity? Should I give up climbing completely?  I’m currently looking into radiation therapy…I'm absolutely desperate to do something about this before my fingers start to contract.
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07/13/2008 03:45
clynton
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07/13/2008 03:45
clynton
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Re: Use it or lose it?
Hi Catht can understand your concern at 21, I also am devastated at 41 once I figured out what was going on with the lumps. Unfortunately I followed GP's advice to wait(diagnosed dd but also thought tendonitis) and didn't get the rt until 4 months after the first lump.
The rt is most effective asap after you're diagnosed.
The information about what may cause dd can get complex, but there are suggestions that apart from a genetic disposition, free radicals play a part in the reaction that eventually deposits collagen. I think my dd is trauma-induced so I am taking cysteine and lipoic acid to help remove superoxide and other free radicals.
Good luck with your research.
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07/14/2008 22:03
pixi 
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07/14/2008 22:03
pixi
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Re: Use it or lose it?
Welcome, Cath. I had my first lump on the sole of my foot at 29 and now, five years later, was diagnosed with DC due to a knuckle pad that started last year. I also started rowing a few months after the knuckle pad began (it was very small back then), so I am certain the rowing didn't cause it. My doctor suggested I wear padded, fingerless gloves to train; and I feel they have helped. I think physical activity is merely a trigger -- not the cause, and if you dig around you'll find lots of posts by other active people who have refused to let DC get in the way of their lifestyle.
I have an appointment next week to discuss RT so will keep the forum posted.
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