TO ANYONE WHO CAN GIVE INFO.

I am a extremely high (highest)level classical pianist and it has been my life, love and passion since I was 12, I'm 40 now. I have palmar nodules on my left hand that severly limit my playing technique. I've been to 10 doctors and 9 said they would not perform surgery because the contracture was not severe enough and it is likely that it will cause it to become worse (which I don't believe). It is MOST discouraging because many doctors directly contradit each other with regard to facts and statistics. The only one who would do surgery is not a hand or plastic surgeon but orthropedic. IS THERE ANYONE WHO KNOWS OF A GOOD PLASTIC SURGEON WHO MIGHT PERFORM SURGERY EVEN THOUGH I CAN LAY MY HAND FLAT ON A TABLE????
I am sure that my case will yeild good results if the surgeon doesn't make any serious mistakes. I have known at least 7 people who have had DUP surgery and THEY ALL (ALL)
have had perfect results. HELP!!!! Please e-mail me direct and not through the forum. Thanks.

I too am a professional Pianist. I am classicaly trained from the age of 3. These days it is more easy listening/jazz composition/performing/recording and arranging. Enough about that. I noticed my first nodule in my right hand around Thanksgiving 2003, in Feb, it became uncomfortable enough to affect my playing. Went to see and Ortho man and was diagnosed with DC. Was told that we should "wait and see" until contracture of 30 deg or so before considering surgery. Now during this waiting period, I have now noticed the start of a nodule on my left hand, and have a general tightness and leathery feel to the entire palm of my Right hand. Some days I can only play for 10 or 15 minutes and then it is too uncomfortable to keep playing. Other days, I can "work through" it , but it has affected my dexterity, speed and fluidity of my playing style.
I fear that my DC may be "difffuse" in nature, and since cords are not well defined, I am not a good candidate for NA. I also fear that surgery could leave me unable to play at all. So for now I will wait and try to learn to live with the discomfort and pain of this "painless" disorder according to the books.
I have read extensively on this board, the web and the Hand Center Org Site.
Just wanted to share and relate to your situation. Did not mean to ramble.

I have been a weekend guitar warrior for over 30 yrs. my dc started in my left hand 7 yrs ago when i turnrd 40. fortunately for me they have remained dormant and i have no contracture. Eddy Van Halen is worried. Anyway my right hand is another story. Surgery on pinkie and palm resulted in triggerfinger and my contraction is back and it has only been 1.5 yrs. I have a lot of scar tissue and contractures starting on my index finger too. I wonder if the left hand is dormant because of the constant workout from playing everyday. If my left hand starts to act up like my right hand i will head to florida because i will never have such a crippling surgery again. it would be the end of my playing for sure. my prayers go out to the people who have had their musical careers ended by such a devastating disease. i know it will be a sad day when i can no longer can play guitar

I spoke w/ Dr Kline at a H&F fair in Boise last weekend 10/22-23 2005. I believe my father was about to go into surgery for dupuytren's (surgery which he has been putting off) and when I saw his article on the center I knew that this was what my father had/has and I placed a call to him to let him know of this procedure to try first or at minimum investigate. As of today my father has noticed this also on his other hand... My questions is this..My father has intense and extreme sharp pain on the hand with the advanced case. I've read the articles and after speaking w/Dr. Kline I wonder, why is his pain so severe (even a slight bump of the hand or up the arm is causing intense pain). This seems unusual given what I've been reading? tj - note my father is 71 and was just recently diagnosed w/diabetes which he does have under control.

I am a 35 year old professional guitarist, diabetic and dupuytrens sufferer. In the last 10 years I have toured the world extensivley with many well known artists.

In 2002 I noticed a lump in my right palm which has since grown. I now also have a nodule on my left index finger. Dupuytrens was diagnosed by a hand consultant. He predicted that my finger on the right hand would start to bend within the year (2002).

Now in 2005 and several tours later I am glad to report there has been no such bending. I am convinced that the combination of being diabetic and a guitarist has left me in this situation. I'm amazed when doctors rule out the musician aspect as being a contributary factor.