I had Carpel tunnel surgery on my left hand last August and by December I had lumps in my palm that my Dr. insists are because of my heritage, however they were not there prior to the surgery. In December, I had Carpel tunnel surgery on my right hand, and again within months Dupuytren's contracture has started on that hand and in my small finger. I really think this was brought on by the surgery. Has anyone else had this experience with post surgery DC development? Are there any medical sites that address this?

I hold an opinion similar to Randy's that absent a genetic predisposition Carpel Tunnel surgery would not "trigger"
palmar nodules, nor cord-like contractures. IMHO having
carpal tunnel surgery did not "cause" palmar DD. DD was there prior to the surgery, albeit without nodules. If you
search web sites about DD, you will find asociations between
DD and Phenobarbital, Epilepsy, Alcohol consumption, etc.
Carpal tuennel syndrome is also listed as an asssociated condition with a percentage value. This is the "chicken or
egg" conundrum; which came first?
If you are asking a medico-legal question, I believe that "informed consent" is the issue. Had DD been part of your history, a reasonably prudent hand surgeon might have
included side effects as a possibility. It sounds like you
learned about DD subsequent to CTS surgery. While the "ad hoc, ergo propter hoc" suspicion is understandable, medical
opinion is not likely to support "causality." This may be a
salient point; had you avoided CTS surgery, DD may not have
manifested until some other event in the future. Perhaps,
that might have been included in "informed consent" i.e.
CTS surgery may have side effects that aggravate previously
undetected conditions now or in the future. What type of
procedure "corrected" the CTS? Were the wrist "bands" severed? Was the tunnel "Roto-rotored?" Do what seems right; I, personally, would move on to consider the DD as a separate entity and follow the NA and collagenase discussion. Consult with a lawyer if you have other concerns. I wish you the best of outcomes.

I had the same thing happen to me. Had surgery, bumps appeared, doc said same thing. Heredity/surgery didn't cause it/you had it before, it just appeared early for some reason.

My doctor told me that after carpal tunnel surgery, some people develop the bumps and come back to him asking "What did you do to me?"

My DC came from a fall a year ago and I had the two bumps when the cast came off. My doctor agrees with me that my autoimmune problems are responsible. There is no DC in my family and I have it only in my right hand where I landed.

The Merck manual may not say so, but if you read all the many postings on this list it will be clear how trauma can be one of the causes of DC.

Judy

I'm looking for an explanation of surgery, recuperation time, and any other helpful information.