My experience.
Up until recently the doctors I have seen are unaware or uniformed about DC, or LH or Knuckle Pads. False diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, sets of x-rays, steroid injection, but not properly diagnosed until six months ago.

I am a 55-year old American male. I am of Swedish and German dissent. However, adopted from birth, I am without family history records. I am in top shape in every other aspect. I eat consciously, exercise vigorously 3-4x/week and often work out in a gym and lift weights. I do drink regularly.

My first symptoms were tissue build-up on my PIP knuckles first noticeable 10 years ago. On my left hand, the PIP knuckle of my forefinger, middle finger, and slightly on my pinky finger. And on my right hand, middle finger and ring finger. Most often I experience mild discomfort, but visually noticeable.

(attach: knuckle pads - right hand 12/2016)

More recently, I noticed when I slept or running, I held my left hand in a loosely closed grip which I thought was strange. Also prior to my diagnosis, I was boxing regularly. I would be safe to assume, the impact of this contributed to the inflammation and worsening of my knuckle pads. I have since learned that people with Duputren’s are 4X more likely to develop knuckle pads. The knuckle pads were the first symptom to develop.

Four years ago the condition in the palm of my left hand appeared. It appeared after a strenuous workout lifting weights from a cross bar. I have learned that this condition often appears when a trauma to the area occurs.

(attach: palm - left hand 12/2016)

I also have a raised node in arch of my left foot.

Two years ago, I had a persistent issue with frozen shoulder after over extending myself in the gym. Recovery was slow and painful. I had good success with Active Relief Technique (ART) massage. Currently I am a full mobility.

I use a Rad Roller on the palm of my hand and feet to extend the elasticity of my tendons and tissue and wonder if this form of treatment will slow the progress of DP.

(attach: palm - left hand and Rad Roller 12/2016)

I will often feel a tingliness in my fingers occasionally. I describe it as a mild electric current I can feel running through some of my fingers. I am not yet at the stage where my hand is curling inward.

DP, got it. Ledderhose, check. Knuckle Pads, check. Frozen Shoulder, check.

My experience with ART on my shoulder, makes me wonder about massage therapy, acupressure, or other alternative methods or traditional Chinese medicine. I am curious to what extent the forum has had experience with other forms of therapy versus RT and invasive surgery.

Lastly, this one is a bit of a reach, but I also suffer from chronic Folliculitis in my scalp. I have a full head of hair, but have suffered for 20+ years with periodic painful red bumps and pustules, sometimes with years of absence. Antibiotics, topicals, shampoos have all been used with only modest results. Is it possible, that this too is related? Are there others who are experiencing similar issues?

Thanks for being apart of this forum and for reading my story.

Interesting and helpful. Thank you. I'm going to look deeper into this type of non-invasive treatment. Esp. since I'm not at the later stages (yet!). Failed to mention, that playing guitar has become too painful. And I did wonder about rock climbing for others. I'm in Shanghai where I received my ART treatment for the shoulder. Checking with him. Then to US (Oregon). Should be able to source something.

Hi there, I am that rare person who has DD and LD and maintains the disease through TCM. It has been over 4 years that I posted the results. I am still kicking with TCM. The nodules I have are very soft, last year I developed a new nodule on my left foot. That too has remained soft. Somehow the softening of nodules allows for greater stretching and massage manipulation so you don't get contractures. I don't take the herbs anymore but do get acupuncture every two weeks. I have gone as long as month before without any TCM but my hands began to tighten. I popped back in to the Acupuncturist and that usually took care of things. I am very active and use my hands playing tennis often. This year I have started a new paddle sport called pickleball. More hand use but really fun. I also do regular yoga and that helps with the wrist range of motion. I still have mild contractures in both hands so I don't have full range of motion. But enough to do what I want! Prior to TCM I could barely pick up a glass because the contractions were so bad. The time commitment to do TCM seems to be the most cumbersome problem. Though, for me, it beats surgery, radiation and or Xilaflex. All of which do not guarantee that it won't come back! Also, things don't happen over night. The TCM took almost two months before the nodules started to soften. The thing is, if that much was wrong in my body and causing the DD, then what else was going on? TCM works on getting the whole system in proper function. For me, I was up for the commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Good luck with your treatment.