Steve,
Now that you have brought it to my attention, I think I have a knuckle pad on one of my fingers. It is just a smooth bump right over the knuckle. No pain and just raised a little. It has been there for about a year, but I just haven't thought about it. Will it start hurting? How big should I expect it to get?

Hi Steve, I was searching yet once more on the internet for some information on Garrods Pads as I was told that's what I have after years of tests for arthritis, etc I eventually found someone who knew what was wrong. I had a look at the baylorheath website where you said your pads were exactly like those on p381. Mine also. I have them on 5 fingers, 2 on the left and 3 on the right and find them quite painful and stiff a lot of the time. I was told that surgery was not an option and that they would only reappear. You said you had yours removed. Has this improved the situation for you? How was the recovery from such an operation? The thing is that up until now it has only been over my knuckles but I have a new lump developing on the palm of my left hand just below my index finger and am now wondering how far this will go. I have had them since I was 15 and am now 28 and worried that it might cause a more problems than was envisaged. Any feedback from yourself would be much appreciated. It is such a relief to find someone who has the same condition.

Many thanks
Claire

Kristen and Claire,

I am not an expert on knuckle pads but I believe they can have many reasons (often some sort of damage), though they are sometimes associated with Dupuytren. I have not yet heard of any successful therapy of knuckle pads.

Similar to what Kristen describes I also experienced sore PIP joints, though without developing actual pads, long before Dupuytren started. I have no idea whether this is typical but in my case I believe I can predict the (1-2 years) later onset of Dupuytren from the inflammed PIP joint.

Wolfgang

Dave - I find your food avoidance and swelling experience interesting, My knuckle pads always reacted to the weather - cold fronts, rainy days would make them worse - that's why I though it was arthritis way back when. Two of them were shot with cortisone twice and never came back - the third one is still there, but is no problem when compared to a pinky bent at 110 degrees. Kristen

Wolfgang, No I don't have gout ( had a complete physical about nine months ago). Certain foods like those I mentioned are by nature inflamatories. Avoiding them not only makes my Dups feel better but my other joints as well