Hi everybody,

I am new to this forum. I am a woman aged 43, with cases of Dupuytren in my family, and a regular drinker of red wine (around 2 glasses a day, i.e. a bit too much given the fact that I am pretty tiny). My story: I noticed in April 2018 a painful lump in my right hand. Because I am bit hypochondriac I showed it right away to my doctor who first thought it was trigger finger. Other lumps appeared and I was soon diagnosed with Dupuytren. Now, 8 months later I have 4 nodules and cords on the right hand and 1 nodule on the left hand, yes, already... I am doing osteopathy and mild stretching. No limitation on fingers mobility so far but I feel some kind o pressure in my right hand. I live in Canada, I am French and was blessed enough to find this forum very early in the process so I knew that I needed to see a doctor performing NA in Paris, which I did last summer.
During the last 18 months, I developed frozen shoulders first on the right side, then on the left side. From october 2018 till April 2018, I took daily 7g of L-Glutamine upon recommendation of a naturopath to treat leaky gut. When I knew I had Dupuytren I read that this supplement somehow promotes the production of collagen. I always wonder if Dupuytren was provoked in my case by genes, too much drinking, L-Glutamine, frozen shoulder or a combination of all of this. Any idea?
In addition, I now fear to develop Ledderhose disease as well, given the rapid progression I see on my hands. I noticed little bumps on my feet but they are totally parallel on both sides, are completely soft and disappear when I flex my feet so I guess it is not fibromatosis and more the natural shape of my feet (at least I hope so). When I try to find the %tage of people having Ledderhose with Dupuytren I find completely different results on the net. Does anybody know if Ledderhose is common in cases like me (relatively early onset of Dupuytren, bilateral, family cases)? Is there any way to avoid Ledderhose (I was contemplating to start cycling and treadmill running or walking at the gym and now I am a bit afraid to create a new problem).
I know from your testimonies that it is very, very important to stay positive about this. I need my hands and high heels for my work so sometimes I worry more than others about the future.
I am looking forward to read your recommendations!
Isabelle

Hi Isabelle

I don’t think we can provide you with clear cut answers. Our website provides good information on the disease characteristics https://www.dupuytren-online.info/dupuyt...ontracture.html and the BDS provides a useful list of risk factors https://dupuytrens-society.org.uk/information/risk-factors/.

I usually recommend people start protecting their hands more so than they might have in the past, in the kitchen, doing manual tasks or sport, and I think the same applies to selecting comfortable footwear to avoid undue stress on the feet but continuing where possible things like running or other sports.

You need to find a knowledgable Dr who is aware and supportive of all the treatments, risk factors and related conditions. Possiby you are a candidate for RT if the timing and conditions are right. For most DD becomes just another thing to manage whilst you get on with the rest of your life doing the the things you want to do.

Best wishes SB

Thank you, all of you!

Yes I recently decreased the wine and I stopped the L-Glutamine since May, just in case. My doctors told me that my wine consumption was not enough to trigger the disease (they say it does for alcoholics, which they say I am not even if 2 drinks is too much, I completely agree) but I suspected it might have because of my tiny frame which does not help the absorption. The positive side of my DD is that it will help me to stay more healthy in that regard.

Thank you for the advice also on NA and RT. Given the potential risks of RT and the fact that I found a good doctor specialized in NA in Paris, I think I will not use RT in Germany as long as I do not have a confirmed problem in the foot.

Thank you also for the recommendation regarding sports. I will stay away from the treadmill then, and focus more on sports like cycling, swimming or pilates.

I is really helpful to get your experience and support.

Isabelle

Hi Isabelle,

was the doctor you saw one of the rheumatologists at Lariboisière, where I had my NA procedure done?

I wonder what she wants to do at that early stage before your finger contracts. Based on my experience since I joined the forum usually one waits for some contracture before doing NA.

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Given the potential risks of RT and the fact that I found a good doctor specialized in NA in Paris, I think I will not use RT in Germany as long as I do not have a confirmed problem in the foot.

You are very welcome, Isabelle.

I am very happy to share what I know, what I believe I know, and what I believe (hopefully making clear which of these it is). Still learning myself, though, and this is why I am trying to understand what is behind the "She told me to come back when I will not be able to pull one of my fingers up when the hand is flat on a table". What would she do or recommend to do, when hyperextension is no longer possible? I have not heard of an NA procedure at this early stage before any contracture, and the only promising course of action at that point I am aware of is RT. But that is not a recommendation you well ever hear from any doctor in France. They are not taught about it, they don't make themselves smart about it, they are not paid for it and they don't want to hear about it, even if you paid for it yourself. But at least they have great NA specialists prepared to treat patients successfully as often as it will become necessary without RT or splinting.