I have been recently diagnosed with tendonitis on my right hand, caused, according to my doctor, by my job as a wine merchant, and the heavy lifting of boxes that this requires. However, my friend, who is an occupational therapist, thinks that I have dupuytrens disease. My maternal grandfather had the condition, as did his brothers, but none of the next generation down do.

When I lift boxes at work, the back of my right hand feels tense and aches a lot, as does my little finger, ring finger and middle finger. Although I have full flexability in my fingers (I can straighten them fully, though the palm of my hand has a little discomfort when I do so), I have noticed that the three fingers mentioned earlier are curling towards my palm.

My doctor told me it was nothing to worry about, and take anti inflamitories if it hurts, and that it was just tendonitis. After taking these pills, it still isn't helping and after my friend's advice, I asked the doctor if I could be suffering from dupuytren's disease. He said it was highly unlikely as nobody else in the direct line has it.

What I am asking is for someone who has this condition to give me their advice as to how to proceed. (I appreciate that "Get a new doctor" may be your advice!) but does my story sound familiar to anyone with this condition.

Peter

Terry,

Have you not heard of TRAUMA associated Dupuytrens?