My orthopedic surgeon stated that Dup has a history tracing back to Northern European heritage (Viking Disease)and maybe inherited. They are not certain of the cause, but he stated it may be caused by a viral infection from a wound or puncture. Several people have posted here that they have contracted Dup after having hand surgery or hand lacerations caused from accidents. My first band thickening, between my thumb and index finger, occurred after I cut my hand near this site. Some months later two small nodules appeared on the palm of the same hand - hence the doctor visit. "Like Carpal Tunnel" I asked? "No - that affects the index and middle finger but Dup mainly affects the little and ring fingers". I had no knots there at the time - but sure enough, four months later a nodule started growing over the joint at the base of the little finger. Now a year later, at age 54, it is growing larger, along with an attached Cord that keeps getting thicker while travelling toward my wrist! The two original nodules beneath my middle and ring fingers have not grown at all, but my little finger is starting to contract and get stiff as this "thing" relentlessly grows. Now even opening jars is a tender and somewhat painfull thing to do - and I now wear gloves while driving. They say it is a buildup of collagen in the "bands" of the palms - thickening them into "cords". What we need is an injection of something to cause a "collegen meltdown" and send this "thing" back to Northern Europe! JIM