The day after a recent cardiac catharization, a nodule appeared on my palm at the base of the index finger ...with what feels like a tight band to the thumb. My thumb is very stiff and sore.

Gary,

I've had Dup's/Ledderhose for 30 years now. Regardless what others may say, yes, it is someimes quite painful. In my experience, the pain is worse when the nodules are actually growing- they are more sensitive for some reason. They are always sensitive to pain from pressure, such as when using hand tools. And mine are incredibly sensitive to impact, which causes extreme pain and makes them tender for days afterwards. Ibuprofen helps with the soreness.

I've got big lumps in the soles of my feet, and a closet full of shoes that felt good for the first 10 minutes but became unbearable after that.

There's also a couple of other DC-related sources of pain I've found-
1. The contracture can cause joint pain due to the unnatural strain placed on the joints. I've had this from, for example, inadvertantly sleeping on my contracted hand. The bands don't stretch and the force is concentrated on the restriced joints.
2. Tendonitis- This, along with knuckle pads which are sensitive to impact, is associated with DC. I had it bad (trigger finger) in one thumb a few years back; it was treated with Cortizone and has not returned to a level that doesn't respond to ibuprofen. That's good, since a surgical release would be done right where a nodule is. I have a nodule there from an injury in my 20's. It's sensitive to pressure, but there has been no significant grown on that side of my hand, all the growth has been on the 5th and 4th fingers.

Hope this helps.
Pablo

I've had operations on the ring finger of both hands, Left(1999), Right(2003)

I have noticed a hardening beneath the right thumb.

What experience have others had with DC and the thumb?