If trauma to the palms of one's hands triggers the onset of Dupuytren's, as many of us suspect, then perhaps we should be trying to catalog the particular types of trauma so as to warn potential DC victims of the need for risk avoidance.

In my own case, my catalog dates back to the fifties, mainly to my freshman days in college, where during gym class, I took part in a hand-ball course. In those days, few students had access to the special handball gloves meant to minimize the ball's impact to the palms. I now grimly recall how the pain of that impact limited my interest in, and prowess with, the sport.

Now, nearly 50 years later, I wonder how many young people are being introduced unwittingly to the legacy of Dr. Dupuytren via the handball court. Shouldn't we demand a little preventive medicine from the powers that be?

Specifically, I recommend that handball coaches be required to notify all their charges of Northern European descent that they scrupulously should avoid playing handball!

I accept that palmar/plantar inflamation is the underlying
process. About 5 years ago I used a heavily knurled
screw diver to the point of pain in my right hand.
I switched to my left; but stopped as soon as that
began hurting. Small nodules appeared within a few days.
Two years ago my Internist said, "Dupuytrens." One
year ago my right "pinkie" would no longer straighten
100%. I have no pain, no limitations, yet.
Yes, I played handball 30 years ago. Yes, I played
bare-handed and also with gloves. (I liked squash better.)
Genetics is the underlying process, in my opinion;
trauma may induce the local lesion that is recognized
as a limitation. Early onset is unusual (or under reported.)
Typical onset is in "middle-aged" period (50-60 years.)
I think that general public education is a desirable thing.
Perhaps a Dupuytren's Foundation is in order. Statistics seem limited as to numbers and demographics. That might be
a starting point. Numbers and Dollars get attention.

Hi,

I also have played handball prior to developing Duputryens and have had many bruises and injuries during that time.

Seems possible that there may be a link, in addition to genetic and environmental factors.

John.

I guess no one here has read about the FLARES issue?

Please visit; http://www.wstagner.com

Click LINKS, and scroll to FLARES; then on to other excellent information.