Hi everyone,

I am 37 years old, male, and developed my first knuckle pad on my right hand in my twenties. Over the last two years, two new knuckle pads have appeared over the PIP joints of two fingers on my other hand. I did not expose my hands to any extreme sports / hobbies.

During this time, I have lost some range of motion, especially when trying to make a fist. I have seen several hand surgeons, and they all advised me to wait and avoid excision, as surgery is generally not recommended for knuckle pads.

Overall, the limitation is manageable for me, but I am very worried about developing Dupuytren’s disease. My doctor told me that he has seen many people with knuckle pads, but almost always together with Dupuytren’s. When I asked him how often knuckle pads are idiopathic — meaning they occur without any associated condition — he could not give me an estimate, as he would have an estimation bias (seeing just dupuytren‘s with knuckle pads).
I read in studies, that approx. 8% of people have knuckle pads, but I rarely find isolated experiences in forums with this disease.

Are there any members here who have had knuckle pads only, without Dupuytren’s disease, for a long time? Is this possible an how is your story?

Thank you :)