I am 52 and noticed my first nodule when I was 45. Since then I have had several Kenalog injections that have kept the pain down for a bit. The over the last year a cord has progressed to growing but I have no contracture yet. I also have ledderhose disease.

I get pain in my left hand that has the cord, especially after a day at work on the computer and mouse. New nodules seem to be tender the area where the cord is is just painful. While swimming it feels like my hand will rip apart from the pain. Gripping tools is painful. Making a tight fist is also painful. Push-ups are impossible.

The first hand Doctor I saw has moved from Virginia to Arizona so he is gone, the next one immediately said I just need to have surgery (even though there is no contracture). I am wondering if there are any good pain treatments or ways to knock it down. Is Xiaflex good since I have a cord extending a good distance on my hand. Or is that only for when there is contracture?

I agree with Brian that you first need a firm diagnosis before considering any treatment and Gary Pess is an experienced Hand surgeon. The pain might be caused by something else than Dupuytren's. As for Dupuytren's Xiaflex is usually applied when the contracture exceeds 20 degrees. Unfortunately I don't know anyone specialized on Dupyutren's in Virginia although there are probably some doctors.

Wolfgang

DerNageler; I have DD with contracture in both hands and Ledderhose in both feet and have had for more than 40 years. The comment by your first doctor that the pain was likely nerves I think is right on the money. The question is what to do about it.

The good news is that if you push through the pain eventually goes away as the nerves and tendones etc move themselves to adjust for the dupuytren or ledderhose nodules.

I have had a real problem with my left foot lately. A new nodule was obviously causing some dislocation and I was close to resorting to surgery. I pressed on with gym, tennis and walking etc while looking for a suitable surgeon and then gradually realised that the pain was receding. I am now pain free again.

I have had similar experiences with my hands in the past.

To give some context I enclose a photograph of my foot with the new and somewhat troublesome nodule.

My simple message is that if you leave it alone the pain will go away.

PS: I haven't been able to do pushups with my hands on the ground for 20 years but the simple answer is to use dumbbells as a support.

Seph

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OMG! I have it developing in my less dominant hand.. It hurts like Hades..I don't know if the tendons are squashing my nerves or what.. But wow! It hurts. And the steroid shot I got last week. Made it hurt worse and has been nooooo help. My whole hand. The fingers. My middle finger is hurting the most. But... Ok no pain with Dupuytren's? Maybe for some ppl... But wow...!!😨

Deodand:

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Wow! Sometime's it's good to know you aren't the only one. I was diagnosed with Duputren's twelve years ago after a motorcycle accident tore my right hand open. It hurt from day one, and had hurt ever since. They did surgery on it the next year, but as predicted it came back within three years. Now I have it in both right and left hands as well as the right foot.

For me, it was painful from day one and is slowly getting worse with time. Anything requiring grip strength is now off limits for me (using a shovel, gripping handlebars, holding a baseball bat, etc).

Does anyone know of any specialists in the Atlanta area? I've seen two hand specialists, but I'm getting conflicting opinions and they both are adamant that they've never treated anyone with Dupytrens with pain. I'm being sent to my second neurologist next week to see if they have any insights. I'm feeling quite alone out here...