Does anyone know if studies have been/are being done that determine the genetic cause of Dupuytren's, Garrods Pads, Peronie's, and Ledderhose? I'm interested in finding the physiological cause(s) of these diseases with hopes that cures can then be found. I've read posts on this board for months now and it seems there are pros/cons for different approaches to dealing with the inflictions and the debate over individual strategies will go on ad nauseum until a cure is found. Is anyone aware of any study/studies that will determine the genetic cause(s) of these maladies. Thanks. Steve

The June 03 issue of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery has an
abstract of work by Bayat, Watson, et al suggesting that
TGF-beta 1 is involved and that gene zf9 may be of interest.
The abstract also states that as yet no specific gene has
been identified. On a simpler level, web sites state that
DD is caused by an autosomal dominant gene with variable
penetration; that means that if one parent has the gene, 25%
of offspring may likely acquire it. If both parents have the
gene, 50% of offspring are likely to get it. (likely, not
inevitably.) Not all carriers will have noticeable symptoms
that result in a diagnosis. If you are interested in the
Bayat article it is at NCBI Pub Med. A search for Dupuytrens genetics should produce links. I was not sure how
specific an answer you want; I hope this is of some interest. Basically DD may be a normal healing process that
has gone haywire and fibroblast cells over-prolifirate in
palm tissue due to DNA in those cells. The abstract provides a bit more detail. NA severs the collagen fibers; Collagenase "dissolves" the collagen fibers. Surgery removes
the overgrown tissue. Skin grafts replace "haywire" tissue.
Eventually gene therapy may be available. That is the limit of my understanding; I hope that it is fairly accurate. Someone correct me if not.

For years, I have had bad knees (cartlidge) and rather than go the surgery route, I adjusted my life style to a non running and rather inactive one. I have always thought there was some connection to cartlidge. The body is such an efficient healing machine, perhaps it triggers (genetically) an onslaught of collagen generation to compensate for the deficiency, and finds its way to the hands and feet extremities and settles here where the blood vessels are the smallest. This overproduction, coupled with intakes of glcosamine chondroitin and even vitamin C adds to the condition. It could be a gene gone haywire or one which gets "turned on" to correct a problem. Anyone else had orthopedic problems prior to DC.
JIM

Jim,
Your reasoning could have some merit, but I have had no physical problems whatsoever, except Dupuytren's and Ledderhose. I think it is just strong genetics that determines severity and who gets it.

I have no significant physical problems either, other than Dupuytren's. My general health is good and I take no medications. No serious injuries in my past, no trauma to hands or feet. So I'm dubious of any attempts to make a strong correlation between Dupuytren's and any factors other than genetics.

As with many medical problems, Dupuytren's might turn out to have multiple root causes. We just don't know, yet.