| Lost password
137 users onlineYou are not loggend in.  Login
Pain and Swelling in Knuckles
 1
 1
10/02/2007 09:37
Twinmom 
10/02/2007 09:37
Twinmom 
Pain and Swelling in Knuckles

Hello, I am new to the forum and have some questions. It took me a while to get this diagnosis. When I was 13 my mother noticed that my fingers were slightly bent (pinkies in particular couldn't be straightened. If I straightened one joint then the next one went out). I was told that it was just "shortened tendons". I've had hand pain on and off for around 20 years (am now mid 40's).

This June/July my knuckles became very hot, red, swollen and painful and within 4 weeks the pinkie on my right hand had contracted substantially. (I don't yet know the angle as no one has measured it yet). I am seeing my rheumie on Friday to find out what he suggests I do. I got the diagnosis late last week from the MRI report.

Now that you have my brief history, I want to ask if it is common to get the knuckle swelling and pain? I read dupuytren websites and they all say that it is a painless disease but when I read this forum I saw mention of pain.

I'm asking because I need to know if I must push for more diagnositic work or not.

Is there a dietary component to this disease like for say RA? Is there a link to diseases other than diabetes (which I don't have). I have celiac disease, food allergies, iritis, keratoconus (a collagen disease of the cornea) and osteonecrosis. Do you know if there is a unifying thread between this disease and those? I ask because I found a link between the iritis and the celiac disease and food allergies. The osteonecrosis was caused by the treatment for the iritis which was caused by the untreated celiac disease.

thank you for your help

Twinmom

10/08/2007 02:30
Cheri7

not registered

10/08/2007 02:30
Cheri7

not registered

Re: Pain and Swelling

Just wanted to let you know that is exactly what happened to me. In January 2007 my pinkie on the right hand became very hot, red, swollen and painful for about about 4 weeks. After that the pinkie then contracted to 90 degrees and has stayed there. I had an unrelated surgery the previous month (December) so I was wondering if that stress may have been a trigger.
The finger and wrist is sometimes achy, but not painful like it was the first month.
Anyway, my rheum. doc sent me to the hand surgeon. I'm linking about having NA. I think Dr. Kline in Oregon is the closest to Denver.
I've gotten most of my information from web sites mentioned on this forum.
Thanks so much for this forum.

10/20/2007 12:26
JAnnRunner 
10/20/2007 12:26
JAnnRunner 
Re: Pain and Swelling in Knuckles

Mine started the same way I had a lot of pain in my pip joint and it was red and hot for a month or so. When I went to the doctor they ordered an x-ray because they thought I broke it, when that came up clean the said arthritis when I asked for a blood test to determine my level, that came back clean. Then they just forgot about me. I called and asked to be referred to a hand specialist. When I arrived at his office he diagnosed me w/ DC on the spot!! So always get a 2nd and even a third opinion. Because I was young and female I did not fit the profile for DC.. always research on your own

10/21/2007 22:14
cathlnC

not registered

10/21/2007 22:14
cathlnC

not registered

Re: Pain and Swelling in Knuckles

I hae been having terrible pain and reddness in my pinkie,ring and middle finger. They are definitly turning toward my palm. I went to a sergeon, he wouldn't do anything, I now go to a rhumotologist but he's running all these tests and xrays, I have been sick for 2 years with a rare lung problem and I think HE thinks it's related. I do know, that whatever a woman goes to the DR. for, she is not treated as well as a man.

10/22/2007 00:44
JAnnRunner 
10/22/2007 00:44
JAnnRunner 
Re: Pain and Swelling in Knuckles

When you go to the doctor they will treat you how you expect them to treat you. If you go in there with the attitude you require their undivided attention and the best of care they will listen.. They do not always know all the answers, they go by the symptoms you have and the results of the test they run.. So read up , research and if you feel you do not get the right treatment go somewhere else. Ask to see a hand surgeon about you fingers , It sounds like it could be DC.. Best of luck

10/22/2007 04:19
newman 
10/22/2007 04:19
newman 

Re: Pain and Swelling in Knuckles

Australia Calling.I have had M.D now for over 30 yrs , and unfortunately the younger you are when this disease attacks there is a large change it will be more severe . I have never let the contracture get greater than 10 mm or 1/2 inch before operating .Check your ownd contracture using the table top test.( back of hand flat on the table and then take the measurement from the tip of the finger nail to the table .) The point of knuckle pads is usually an indication of the disease being aggressive as in my case.Use a high potency urea or viteman E creme and wear a cotton glove at night to try and inprove the dexterity of the skin. I exercise the hand daily, both by making a closed fist , holding the fingers with the other hand forcing the fingers closed and then relaxing. I also place the hand flat on a table, slowly exerting pressure to try and straighten the fingers then relax. The point that diabetes may be associated with M.D. Have a look on a previous forum 8/10/07 'Alcohol any relation to M.D,'
Wolfgang Wach has included a link on a 50 yr study from Erlangen University .In short no correlation with M.D and diabetes. Finally knuckle pads can be sore and of course if you are a cold climate its worse. Regards from down under.

 1
 1
rhumotologist   measurement   unfortunately   University   Knuckles   contracture   information   disease   substantially   diagnosis   correlation   straightened   fingers   specialist   contracted   osteonecrosis   keratoconus   because   diagnositic   Swelling