@ellenslight My partner had Dupuytren's Contracture in both hands. He's had surgery in both hands (at Mayo Clinic) with an orthopedic hand surgeon. He feels that he waited too long before his first surgery although the outcome was quite good. He was back to playing guitar and piano. So you are on the right track here seeing an orthopedic hand specialist. Ask lots of questions including what rehab will be like after surgery. My partner saw a PT who specializes in hand rehab and he followed through on all of the recommendations. He still experiences slight contracture in one of his hands and so on occasion he wears the little finger splint that the PT made for him.

Your activities for writing and painting are important for you to continue, right? Will you please come back here and let me know what you decide to do after seeing the hand specialist this week?

I am watching contractures in both hands with my ortho, and doing stretching & massage many times a day. I have had numerous hand surgeries and know there is usually a "sweet spot " -bad enough to treat, but not too late. @naturegirl5 is right that therapy, lots of it, is key to hand surgery success.
Sue