It is apparent to me, having read quite a bit of blurb on the various web sites inc. Cochranes Library, that nobody knows the underlying cause of DC. Yes we know it is hereditry but exactly what causes the body to make excess collagen and deposit it into the palm of the hand?

What gland or organ etc produces the collagen?

Is it not possible to chemically or otherwise suppress the production of collagen at source (i.e. the particular gland)?

I have asked these questions to various doctors/surgeons and received no answers, just blank stares.

It seems to me that the 'cut and shut' remedy shows just how primitive our medical proffesion is.

tbh you hae to a degree answered your own question in that no one knows.

The problem is that the theorised causes seem to be sporadic

So you get some people claiming alcohol causes it but then get people who are entirely T-Total with the condition.

Similar some people get it after hand injuries but others do all sorts to there hands without any real effect on the condition.

Closest I think you are going to get at the moment is that its a genetic defect in the healing system with an unknown trigger(if any)

This simply must be the most important question and, sadly, the most neglected. If we don't know the cause, we won't find the cure!

Following a recent GP visit I was offered the chance to discuss the condition with a specialist at the local hospital. But, which specialist is 'responsible' for Dupuytrens? The fact that there is no automatic or consistent answer to this very basic question is surely something we should be concerned about. Hand surgeon? Rheumatologist? I've seen both & neither of them would claim to be 'experts'. Is this really a much 'neglected' disease? If so, why?

For sure we won't die from Dups or any of its associated diseases but change of life style/freedom can be significant. I have also raised this important topic from another angle:

http://www.dupuytren-online.info/Forum_E...pter-0_460.html

I have read that DC can be caused by trauma to the hand, among other things such as alcohol abuse and diabetes. My husband has it (he's of Anglo-Saxon descent). I was just diagnosed with it and I am baffled. My ancestry is not in a risk group, I am not diabetic, and I do not abuse alcohol. I read someone's blog that he developed DC after taking Glucosomine/Chondroitin/MSM for 5 years. I DO fit into that category, having starting that combo in May, 2004.