JD -- In some small way perhaps fore-warned is fore-armed. Many posters here report a correlation between some hand trauma or stress and the onset of Dups. (Others are unaware of such.)

Since you know of a family history, you might try to be especially kind to your hands--such as, wear protective gloves if using manual tools whenever possible, avoid holding vibrating machinery, be careful about opening jars that are stuck. Many musicians and artists (whose hands are involved in their craft) post here. If you've "caught the dups gene" you may at least forestall triggering it until a later date.

Please also read up on needle aponevrotomy (N.A.) and share this info with other family members! See recently posted List of N.A. doctors and research the websites listed for a wealth of info. regarding Dups generally and N.A. specifically. It's not a cure-all, but often can forestall the necessity of surgery for a time.

I hope you manage to dodge this condition altogether, but perhaps if you develop it there will be more options by then!

Susan

SuzieQ:

I think your post was most helpful to a newbie like JD.

Bart's terse, complaining post is not at all helpful to anyone.

Bart, if you disagree with what SuzieQ says, that's fine.

But, rather than just make a nasty comment, why don't you take the time to write something helpful yourself?

I'm sure SuzieQ & others would like to know what you have to offer.

Mark