I have just discovered that I have inherited my father's dupuytren's contracture. I have nodes in my palms and on the tops of my knuckles. Are they supposed to hurt? My fingers also hurt when I pick up heavy things or stretch them back or pick up something heavy. Is this normal? My fingers are not drawing up yet. Should I go to the doctor now or later?

YES: Do NOTHING at this stage.

If anyone cares, here's my story and why I have little faith in the medical profession. I was in grade ten when I noticed the baby finger on my left hand started to bend and I was unable to straighten it. I went to a doctor in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (had x-rays, and the whole bit). He told me it was a bone deformation and that if I was to have it straightened, it would stay permanently straight.
It was five years later that I noticed in my human anatomy class at university (I was taking kinesiology) this Dupuytren's Disease in one of my text books. I talk to my professor and he referenced me to a doctor in London, Ontario, Canada. I eventually had the surgery. My hand didn't take too well to it.
My hand became worse and my baby and ring finger started to heal together. I moved back home near Ottawa and could not afford to not work. So I started to work and since then my two fingers are very flexed and somewhat attached together.
Now, my right hand has the disease and I'm just too fearful to have any surgery and I can't afford not to be working.
So, I live with it. I can do most things, the biggest hinderance is regarding sports, but I've learned to manage. I golf with two fingers and a thumb gripping the club. I try to play basketball and volleyball, but no where near as good as I once did. And every once and a while I try to move something that slips right out of my small grip and falls to the floor.

That's my story... if any one has any questions or, whatever, I'm here to listen (and help if I know the answer). Thanks for reading.