Hello

I am a 56 year old male and have been suffering with gradully worsening hand pain for some years.

At first, like Baron Dupuytren himself, I thought that the bilateral pain was caused by holding the reins of a horse over many years.

I have been seeing consultants for about a year now. My fore, middle and ring fingers (both hands) are most affected.

The skin on my fingertips is sore and hardened. The joints of my fingers feel painful. Generally, activity brings on pain (rather than being in bed). Computer use can be painful. Difficult activities are unsrewing jar lids, turning doorhandles, ripping open orange net, pressing buttons and gardening.

Sometimes my hands (and fingers moreso) feel as if they are burning.

Hospital consultants have eliminated arthritis, dermatitis, carpal tunnel, neuropathy and a few rare disorders, but I have been diagnosed with diabetes as a result of hand investigations.

Now, no one mentioned Dupuytren's. But suddenly, like mushrooms growing overnight several peas appeared in my right hand. I visted this site and found a picture that I printed and took to my GP. He immediately confirmed Dupuytren's (no shadow of doubt).

Now, from the conditions that I describe, could all of the problem be associated with Dupuytren's or is this just a coincidence?

I understand that early Dupuytren's is supposed to be painless. My problem are far from that.

Sterling,

Your symptoms are not the normal symptoms for Dupuytren's. But as mentioned, there are many variations to the normal. Normally, Dupuytren's is much slower to develop and relatively painless. I have no pain with mine. It is a different feeling, but not painful. Also, be aware that there might be more than one thing going on with your hands.

Hi

I've also had a lot of pain in my palm. Usually more so when I''ve used
my hands alot. I use ibuprofen gel on the painful area which helps. Although
I try not to use it too often! I've noticed the cord that's grown in my palm below
my thumb raises more if I've used my hands alot.
You've certainly come to the best place for help and advice!

Good luck!
Regards
Anna

I was unaware there was a link between DC and trauma or daily heavy use. I am a retired dentist and my right hand has the most contracture, while my left hand has very little. It could be that 40 years of gripping forceps was a contributing factor.

Hello Sterling,

I have Dupuytrens and Ledderhose Disease (Dupuytren's of the foot). I have been recently diagnosed, and yes, it is a burning sensation in my case. I also get (Mostly at night) sharp needle pains in the hand and fingers. Though I am in the early stages with pea like size limps on the left hand, and deep dents on the right, it hurts in my case. Mine is progressing pretty fast and my left middle finger is beginning to pull downward, and I have a deep dent on the underside of the finger, about where a ring would be. It hurts if I lift something heavy, or push against the handle on my push mower. I have also noticed that my wrist throb along with it, however, I also have Carpal Tunnel in both wrist too, which this condition could/might aggrivate, I really don't know. I believe what you are experiencing, is in fact, directly related to your hand condition, which sounds to me like definately Dupuytren's Contracture. I know how difficult it can be to have trouble doing simple tasks, especially when you have been use to doing them for so long. In my case (41 years old), It is difficult for me to believe that something like Dupuytren's, is eggressively stealing away my ability to do the things I have done for so long before without a problem. Like you, I am new at this, but I too have the same feeling in my hands as you. I'm sorry you have this condition and that it is difficult for you to do what you have always done prior, but I wanted to let you know that you are not alone with this. I wish you all the best and that you find the help you need so your life may be as normal as possible in the future. Best of luck, Metzie.