I am 45 years old and have Dupuytren's Contracture. First began appearing in summer of 1998. It has gotten much worse in the last 1 1/2 years, especially the last 7-8 months. My left pinky is at about a 90 degree angle. Although I'm not in constant pain, the frequency and degree of pain has drastically increased in the last 7-8 months. If I accidently sleep on it wrong, the pain will be intense enough to wake me up. Anyway, my point is I think it's time to do something and stop putting it off. My question is, I've done some research (not a lot), but some on surgery and needle aponevrotomy. One week I'll think surgery is probably the best route and the next week it will be needle aponevrotomy. One way or the other, I'm 100% going to make a decision here in the next few weeks. I would love to here some advice before I make that decision. Thanks.

Dear Sir:
My case sounds exactly like yours, our ages are similar and our degrees of severity are similar. I had surgery (NA) on May 17th 2004 with Dr. Eaton. I was extremely pleased with the result. There has been no recurrence so far of the angulation and my fingers remain straight and I have no pain now. Even if it had to be repeated yearly, I would do it rather than have the traditional surgery.

I had NA (Dr. Badois) to release a chord in my right hand
that contracted my "pinky" 30 degrees. I also have "dermal pits" in my left hand with no chord and no contactures.
There are palpably firm areas in both palms about 1-3 mm in
size; perhaps those qualify as nodules.
Regarding pain: Only my chord received NA. Yes, at times it
aches/burns at about 3 on a ten scale where ten is max pain.
I do not have pain all day, nor every day. I notice it more
on cold days and after sleeping. Warm water seems to relieve the dull ache and stiffness on cold days. The sensation upon arising disappears in the course of morning
ablutions (brush teeth, shower, shave, etc) and may also be
relieved by the warm water of just distraction. An NA Doctor would be the best source of info. Generally, contracture(s) are the indication for NA. I do not recall
posts about pain as an indication. Personally, I would expect some relief and would not expect worse discomfort.
I cannot address NA and nodules. Ledderhose nodules are
treated by NA followed by cortisone injections (Dr. Lermusiaaux in Paris.) Get pictures and send them with a
short inquiry to one or more Drs. on the "list" available
at Walt's Dupuytrens Links Site. Good luck.

First I'd like to thank you guys for your input to my request for advice. It is greatly appreciated. Now I'm not sure if I'm understanding this completely. Are you saying the nodules in my hand are not from DC, but are another ailment all together and only the nodules on my pinky are DC related? Again, thanks for all the info and advice.

Thanks for the valuable advice. As you stated, it just makes logical sense to try the NA first and I've made up my mind to about a 97% certainty to go that route.

Because I've pretty much already made up my mind it will have no effect on the treatment I will choose, but I'd like to ask again. Except for the nodule on my pinky at the base and the one on my palm right below the base of my pinky, are all the other nodules on my palm (4 all together, 2 large, 2 small) are these 4 nodules DC related? The 4 on my palm I speak of were the first ones that formed. The one on my pinky and right below it were the last 2 to develope and were the ones that started my pinky to bend downwards.