About 4 weeks ago, I noticed a slight pain in the palm of my hand which when I felt had a small bump about the size of a pea. Over the next four weeks, it continued to grow to about the size of a Nickel. It is fairly hard and feels like a calous. There has not been any pain to speak of, but sometimes it feels a bit warm like it might be an infection.

Anyway, I went to a day clinic and the doctor said he thought it was an inflamed tendon sheath and to try some agressive ice. The ice doesn't seem to be decreasing the size although it hasn't grown any more. But, wouldn't a tendon sheath be painful? I have a feeling the doctor might have misdiagnosed what I have. It is driving me crazy. Can anyone comment or help and is there any sure fire test to confirm or disconfirm dupuytrens? Thanks

I'm no expert. But I think Dupuytrens is often misdiagnosed and that it manifests in many different ways in different individuals.

Things I might do if I were you:

First can you contact the person at the day clinic again by phone and ask if he is familiar with Dupuytrens? If so, is he pretty sure you can rule that out? If not...

Second, I'd try phoning medical people in your community--probably with focus on Certified Hand Surgeons--to find out who in your area is very experienced with Dupuytrens. You might be able to get some insight over the phone or otherwise make an appointment.

Third, if anyone recommends a surgical procedure DON'T RUSH IN TO HAVE THIS DONE. Non-Dups surgery sometimes triggers Dups in people who are susceptible. I'd give it time and get a second opinion if possible.

If it is Dups, hopefully it will be quite awhile until you require treatment. You'll have plenty of time to consider your options. If you haven't already read up on the N.A. procedure, read through some of the threads on this forum. Also check out Dr. Eaton's website on the subject: http://www.handcenter.org/newfile16.htm. It's the one many people recommend as most informative about Dupuytrens and N.A. If you do have Dups I think you'll find it very reassuring that N.A. is now available in this country.

Very best of luck to you.

N.N.

THIS IS BUT ONE PERSON'S OPINION. ANYONE ELSE ON THIS SITE WANT TO CHIME IN FOR BRIAN???

Brian,

such a very quickly growing nodule is very untypical for Dupuytren's disease, which normally takes years to build bigger nodules or cords. A second opinion absolutely makes sense, too often nodules in the palm are diagnosed as Dupuytren, and consequently subject to the wrong therapy, while they are actually some other sort of ganglion. There is a broad range of potential causes, starting with overworked hands (a person in another forum reported it after heavy climbing) to even some sort of cancer, which also would result in a growing nodule.

To my opinion a good web page on Dupuytren contracture is the article by Kristina Shaffer in emedicine (http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic774.htm). This article e.g. mentions

"Other Problems to be Considered:

Callus
Epithelioid sarcoma
Ganglion cyst
Stenosing tenosynovitis
Prolapsed flexor tendon
Ulnar nerve palsy
Camptodactyly
Fibromas and fibromatoses"

Obviously each will mandate a different therapy. Therefore a careful diagnosis is most important.

Wishing you a quick recovery and all the best!

Wolfgang

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i have like red dots on my dick
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just went away..what should i do
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