My doctor directed me to this forum and suggested I might have something to add to it. For those of you that don't think Dupuytren's, Ledderhosen and Peyronie's are linked - well I'm here to tell you that I've got them all.

I developed very aggressive Dupuytren's contractures some 14 years ago when I was about 38. I had surgery to correct problems with both my little fingers that involved skin grafts from my upper arms. Almost a year and a half later, the disease had returned so badly that I had to have both my little fingers amputated. Was that a big deal? No. Prior to having them amputated my little fingers had become so bent that I couldn't use my hands properly. I was living in Germany at the time and couldn't get gloves on - a real bummer in the winter. Since having the amputations I've now got two fully functioning hands and there's nothing I could do before the onset of the disease that I can't do now. Now I know that most Dupuytren's sufferers don't get the condition anywhere near as aggressively as I did - but if you are one of the very, very, very unlucky ones that does, it's no big deal. And do you know what, most people don't notice that I've got no little fingers.

Ledderhosen? Started to get that a couple of years ago. I've got the classic lumps and bumps but nothing that requires surgical intervention yet.

And now for the treat that gives me the full set. I started to notice the classic bend about twelve months ago. My Peyronie's is still active i.e. it can be uncomfortable and I don't think the bend's got to its final position yet. I've tried potassium aminobenzoate for it - useless. What happens when my bend gets to its final position? I haven't made my mind up yet. I might go for the Nesbit procedure or I might decide not to get anything done and just revel in my quaint looking equipment.

As for why I've got "all of the above" - who knows? I don't have diabetes. I don't play the bagpipes - seemingly it's common amongst pipers! I don't have epilepsy. No-one in past generations on either my mother's or father's side of the family has ever shown any signs of any of the conditions - although maybe in past generations the Peyronie's at least was something that people kept to themselves. I used to drink but took the decision to become teetotal when the surgeon who did my amputations told me that he couldn't tell me what had caused my contractures, but that he'd ruled just about everything else out. On that topic, I'm 52 now so I reckon I'll chance another couple of fingers with a few pints of Guinness when I'm in my seventies, if I'm lucky enough to live that long.

Well, as suggested by my doctor, I've added my input. I probably won't be back on here again. I'm too busy living my life to worry about minor inconveniences like Dupuytren's, Ledderhosen and Peyronie's. If you've got one, or like me, all of them, don't let it overtake your life. All the best to you all.

I also have all three; I'm sure there are many others.