I have Dupuytren's Contracture Disease . How can I cope with this?

Posted by Etta Dutch @ettadutch, Oct 17, 2011

I have Dupuytren's Contracture Disease . How can I cope with this?

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@scardycat

Wow that’s not too bad thank you.

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@scardycat, @capausz
I have had cortisone injections in the past for trigger finger. That was w-a-y back 20 yrs when I was 'abusing' my hands/fingers when I tried to carry too many bags by looping them over my fingers. I discovered that was the reason, after I retired, and didn't need to haul so many teacher things with me everyday.

My husband has Dupuytren's Contracture. His symptom was that he could not open his hand completely, one finger was the main culprit. And he had a hard knot in the palm of hand. PCP referred him to orthopedic surgeon who wanted to do surgery, however husband decided to seek a 2nd opinion from a hand surgeon. The hand surgeon did not even mention surgery. The hand surgeon said that he needed a ziaflex injection. So he got the injection. That was around 6 years ago. We remember that he had a bandage afterwards, but he does not remember any pain involved. 2 Days after the injection he had a follow-up and he could completely flatten his hand, so we knew that it had worked. The doctor gave him a soft finger splint to wear at night. It was his ring finger, and I only remember that he wore his wedding band on his right hand for a little while.
We know that hid dad also had Dupuytren's. But back then, there was no treatment available.

We are currently aware that the knot is returning and he is considering getting it checked agin. He is okay with getting another injection.
He has never experienced any pain associated with his hand.

@scardycat, It sounds like you are considering a ziaflex injection, for my husband, the surgeon said that when he could not flatten his hand on a hard surface - it was time to consider it. We are both completely amazed at the different treatments offered by the orthopedist and the hand surgeon. Who is treating you for this?

@capausz, When I was getting the cortisone shots that I mentioned above, I found out that my watchband was causing pain. We think it was irritating a nerve (?) - Any I have stopped wearing a watch on that wrist as a result. I do hope that you will be able to comfortably wear your wedding bands. Will you share what you find out about the pain in ypur ring finger?

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@rosemarya

@scardycat, @capausz
I have had cortisone injections in the past for trigger finger. That was w-a-y back 20 yrs when I was 'abusing' my hands/fingers when I tried to carry too many bags by looping them over my fingers. I discovered that was the reason, after I retired, and didn't need to haul so many teacher things with me everyday.

My husband has Dupuytren's Contracture. His symptom was that he could not open his hand completely, one finger was the main culprit. And he had a hard knot in the palm of hand. PCP referred him to orthopedic surgeon who wanted to do surgery, however husband decided to seek a 2nd opinion from a hand surgeon. The hand surgeon did not even mention surgery. The hand surgeon said that he needed a ziaflex injection. So he got the injection. That was around 6 years ago. We remember that he had a bandage afterwards, but he does not remember any pain involved. 2 Days after the injection he had a follow-up and he could completely flatten his hand, so we knew that it had worked. The doctor gave him a soft finger splint to wear at night. It was his ring finger, and I only remember that he wore his wedding band on his right hand for a little while.
We know that hid dad also had Dupuytren's. But back then, there was no treatment available.

We are currently aware that the knot is returning and he is considering getting it checked agin. He is okay with getting another injection.
He has never experienced any pain associated with his hand.

@scardycat, It sounds like you are considering a ziaflex injection, for my husband, the surgeon said that when he could not flatten his hand on a hard surface - it was time to consider it. We are both completely amazed at the different treatments offered by the orthopedist and the hand surgeon. Who is treating you for this?

@capausz, When I was getting the cortisone shots that I mentioned above, I found out that my watchband was causing pain. We think it was irritating a nerve (?) - Any I have stopped wearing a watch on that wrist as a result. I do hope that you will be able to comfortably wear your wedding bands. Will you share what you find out about the pain in ypur ring finger?

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Actually my ortho doc isn’t crazy about ziaflex he states he has seen more success in the breaking up the cord, he’s not a fan of surgery either claims very painful expensive and usually returns, so kind of a waiting game, great info thanks for sharing

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My husband is just going to get referred to the Surgeon to have his operated on.I have known a few people that the surgery has been successful on. The hand surgeon told me he is NOT happy to do the needle thing he thinks it can cause scar tissue to form.

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@anniebrook

My husband is just going to get referred to the Surgeon to have his operated on.I have known a few people that the surgery has been successful on. The hand surgeon told me he is NOT happy to do the needle thing he thinks it can cause scar tissue to form.

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He did mention that as well, I’m hoping I don’t have to resort to any of it but sine I have a second nodule coming on we will see, mine is painful but I think I have some arthritis in my thumb as well.

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@anniebrook

My husband is just going to get referred to the Surgeon to have his operated on.I have known a few people that the surgery has been successful on. The hand surgeon told me he is NOT happy to do the needle thing he thinks it can cause scar tissue to form.

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That is interesting to know. I will share that information with my husband when he eventually makes his appointment.
I wonder if the differences in treatment (surgery vs injections) is dependent on individual patient conditions(?) I would like to believe so.
Thanks for sharing. I will be looking forward to hearing about the surgery.

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@rosemarya A friend here has this I will be following what she says about surgery also

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@scardycat

Anybody with this disease and what have your remedies been?

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@scardycat
My dad had severe contractures of both hands. All his fingers dug into his palms. This was in 1971–1987. The hand surgeon said they could cut the tendons but the fingers wouldn’t be able to be used. He was able to cram a fork or spoon in between his fingers and palms so he could feed himself. Contractures are fairly common in Quadriplegia.
Jake

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@jakedduck1

@scardycat
My dad had severe contractures of both hands. All his fingers dug into his palms. This was in 1971–1987. The hand surgeon said they could cut the tendons but the fingers wouldn’t be able to be used. He was able to cram a fork or spoon in between his fingers and palms so he could feed himself. Contractures are fairly common in Quadriplegia.
Jake

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Wow that’s awful😪

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@marthaellen

Brother had hand surgery, mostly worked, we understand it is not a disease but genetic disorder, affects mostly males, per his surgeon,

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Hi Martha, Based on your previous clinical experience , what do you think about using 25-50mg of CBD gel caps plus Tylenol or Tramadol instead of Norco for management of early post-elective surgery pain? It would be great to get rid of the narcotics.

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@scardycat, @lioness, @anniebrook, @capausz, @jakedduck1 -

My husband had his appointment about his Dupuytren's Contacture. Here is our finding: The Ziaflex is not an option because it is a temporary fix. The needling procedure might be okay for small area, but not for a larger area like his. Surgery is the only option for him but not necessary until/if he can't flatten his hand as I have seen described in a previous response. So we are on a watch and wait. He has no pain.

What is happening with your Dupuytren's? Any updates?

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