Hi everyone,

My Internist sent me to an OT. She had me do a thumb stretch and I noticed immediatly a cord that was hiding. It is not visible unless I do that stretch. I have a very visible nodule and cord in other thumb (the other nodule is also more hidden) and I wonder what stretching will do to all of them? The other nodule and cord is is the middle of my palm with the cord going away from the middle finger.

Is stretching the fingers with cords a bad idea?

I did not want to make my DD any worse.

Please any comments will be appreciated.

No contracture as of yet, so far only 3 nodules (2 with visible cords) appeared April 1010.

Thanks,

Loonsong

Edited 01/22/11 00:08

Hi Callie,

Thanks. This was my thinking too especially after the OT visit. When the cord popped up, I said, "What is that?" Because it looked much brighter whiter/yellower than the other 2 cords I did not recognize it as a cord (not sure why). The OT pressed on it while saying, "It looks like a cord to the Dupuytren's.

When she pressed it really hurt and I involuntarily said OW! She innocently asked, "That hurts?"
"YES" That was not a place I had been applying the verapamil gel w/ lidoderm so it was not receiving the pain blocking properties of the gel like the other cords.

Now I am applying the gel across that area although the cord is disguised with a fold of tissue (but if I stretch the thumb the fold flattens out and there it is).

I believe she is just going by her protocol for I was sent in for hand strengthening, not anything for DD. I am giong to call her Monday before my appointment and discuss my concerns about the stretching especially since the new cord appeared and might have to call my Internist.

What about the putty she sent me home with to use 5 minutes twice a day is this OK? Or should I start a new thread about that?

Loonsong

Edited 01/22/11 06:34

I think there is a real difference here in the discussion. I did all kinds of exercises post-surgery. It helped greatly and now more than nine years later I still have a hand that is as good as pre-Dupuytren's. Pre-surgery I can't see how the stretching could possibly help the long term effect of Dupuytren's. There might be a temporary difference.

Thanks to Newman, Callie and Quinn,

There are varied answers and everyone is different I guess.

I remember as a child I used to take my thumbs and bend them back to my inside forearms (I was very flexable ) I think someone else could almost do that maybe a sister.

I can stretch (spread) my fingers apart in the air and the thumb and little finger are so far apart you could draw a straight line. It was great when I used to play piano. I have very long fingers.

Does this disease strike people who have long fingers/hands in general I wonder?

The stretches the OT wants to do is to grasp my thumb (palm facing me) which are both hyper flexed already (maybe from bending them so much in childhood ) and pull them out to the side away from the hand.

Since mine are so hyper flexed to begin with I don't see the purpose of this. But I will call her on Monday with my concerns.

I imagine everyone on this site is probably post surgery and already contracted, I usually try and catch something before there is a need for surgery. I am very into preventive medicine.

I am almost 65 and have never had any surgery at all, I think that is rare. I am trying to keep the condition from advancing so I will not need NA. But down the road if necessary that is the way I would go. Other than Fibro and Hypothyroidism (oh and cataracts and that may be my first surgery ) and a little anemia (now under control) I am in perfect health. Except for the hands and feet issues

Thanks again for your input.

Loonsong

Edited 01/22/11 19:12

Thanks,

How does the rolling help?

I have another thread about putty, what do you think abuut using that twice a day? No one has anwered in regards to pre surgery use.

Loonsong