Some people (perhaps most) will never need surgery. It is for you to decide when it becomes impractical for you to live with DC. The general consensus is surgery is easiest at 40 - 60 degrees contraction. Many people go their whole life without contraction, although it is not good because of your age. Do you have nodules or "dermal pits (they look like a callus with a pit in middle)"?
Good luck,
Gary

I was recently diagnosed with dupuytrens. Im a male at 26, with no family history. I had surgery a week and half ago because the dr. thought it was a cyst. He said if he knew it was dups. he would not have done the surgery. Mine was a pea sized lump in my palm, with a lot of pain. I noticed the lump about 2 months ago. i guess i'll see how things go now.

The nodule in my right hand is at the base of my little finger. The tendon was pulling my finger toward the palm.
My doctor told me that I was at the stage where surgery was the normal intervention. Another physician friend told me how he performed the surgery by making incisions across the tendon at several points. He did this in his office. I had heard of a break through in therapy in the Tampa Bay area and asked my doctor about looking at that option before surgery. Yesterday I drove to Pinellas Park and had
my appointment. Today is a new day, I can place my right hand flat on a table, For the first time in years I can put my palms together and separate my finger tips.The facia in my hand is softer and more pliable. Mr. Meilus is an engineer who invented a robot that stretches the tendons and the muscles. He asked,"Why would you want to weaken the tendon?" He explained that shrinkage is what causes the contracting and the lack of pliability in the hand.The robot would press down in an area bout 1 inch in dia.. maintain pressure for about 20 seconds and then would lift for about seven seconds. This deep pressure was first placed on the tendons in my forearm and then on the facia of the hand. The treatment was for about 2 hours. I now have an instrument to continue the needed exercises.
Neiter my wife nor I can believe the change in the palm of my hand.Meilus Robotics is used for many other problems. Professional athletes are taking advantage of this therapy since it does not weaken the muscles or the tendons or the ligaments. I was told that the lump will completley disappear with regular exercise with the instument that i now have. I am very thankful that I checked this out before surgery.You can find Meilus robotics for sports on the internet. My therapy was almost painless; in fact I almost went to sleep. If you have further inquiries, I will be glad to respond. I am a retired army chaplain and became aware of my problem when I could not do pushups with my hands flat on the ground. Best Wishes
bob

Gary,
I wrote to you detailed email that I will spare the readers.
My DC was diagnosed by two doctors. My primary physician is an internist and a nephrologist. Today, she cofirmed the healthy change in my hand. She also wrote a prescription for the treatment. Flexibility is continuing to improve and tissue in my hand is softer and more elastic. I have no ties or motives or ageements to publicise this service.
For more precise info check out the web site. It is www.meilus.com
you will notice that this service has expanded to NJ and PA.
What would motivate anyone to say "snake oil" about anything that they know nothing about.??
bob