Hi,

what is the general opinion regarding a somebody with a predisposition to DC. using a laptop for over 5 hours a day and typing with both hands with one finger only, from a clenched fist postion.

I have developed an aggressive form of dc and have had three operations with a fourth scheduled next month.The operations have helped,however the contractures come back. I cannot help wondering if my hours and hours typing with three fingers clasped into my palm is excacerbating my problem.

most consultants are of the opinion that it is not work related, although I am not convinced, i feel that with a clenched fist for so long it is allowing the condition to accelerate and not recover from the operations.

I am always back typing with a clenched fist 1 month after the operations,I need to work for a living !

Any assistance would be appreciated

Hi Garyd,
My wife's chiropractor, whom she told about my DD recently, was quite certain that long term computer use would be a cause.
On the other hand he was also under the impression that the disease presented with the ability to clench the fist and then the other hand would be used to straighten the fingers back.
So I don't really think he has ever seen GENUINE DD!
Not much help to you but a good story all the same!
Regards,
Tomo

Hi Gary and Micky, I have been using computers and e-mail extensively for about 25 years. I developed Dupuytren's contracture but on a finger that I never use for typing (I never made it to using 10 fingers and manage with 4-5). I don't believe that keyboard typing is triggering Dupuytren.

Micro-damage in the hand might trigger Dupuytren but that seems to be just suspected because Dupuytren looks like an over-shooting healing process and one might consider an initial small wound as trigger mechanism. That could explain why men typically develop Dupuytren earlier than women (they are used to do the harder manual work, carry the heavy stuff, even if they work in an office). Yet it does not explain why Dupuytren most often starts at the pinkie or ring finger, those are the ones that carry the least load.

Research seems to believe that heavy, frequent vibration can accelerate Dupuytren, e.g.

Liss GM; Stock SR „Can Dupuytren's contracture be work-related?: review of the evidence” American journal of industrial medicine 29 (1996) p 521-32 -- from the abstract of this paper: "DC was observed more frequently among vibration white finger claimants than controls by Thomas and Clarke [1992: J Soc Occup Med 42:155-158] (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1-3-9), and more frequently among vibration-exposed workers than controls by Bovenzi et al. [1994: Occup Environ Med 51:603-611] (OR, 2.6 95% CI, 1.2-5.5). Cocco et al [1987: Med Lav 78:386-392] found that a history of vibration exposure occurred more frequently among cases of DC than among controls (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.5-4.4). The latter two studies presented some evidence of a dose-response relationship. There is good support for an association between vibration exposure and DC."

Wolfgang

Hi All,

So does the fact one has been exposed to vibration, and has white finger disease, cause DD or is it that people who are susceptible to white finger disease are more prone to other hand issues such as DD? Not everone who uses a chainsaw for long periods gets white finger.

I have extensive work related exposure to vibrating machinery as I worked as a chainsaw mechanic for 13 years and have personally started and tested at least 20,000 of the little buggers. For a time I was assembling and testing new saws. I have DD in my right hand only at this stage. I also have been training in karate for the last 12 years and had numerous injuries in my hands as a result. These include broken bones, strains, hyperextensions etc. but my DD is so far in my right hand only.

Any thoughts are welcomed!

Tomo