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I have Dupuytren's Contracture Disease . How can I cope with this?
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Dec 28, 2023 | Replies (92)Comment receiving replies
As I wrote, I have an ANA of 1:5120 and the anti-centromere antibody is >8, the highest it can be (>1 is positive). But I don't have Raynaud's or visible calcinosis.
The rheumatologist was thorough with the usual checklist but said the skin tightening on hands was not scleroderma, but Dupuytrens. He literally mumbled that.
My body hurts all over. I have had "lupus" for 20 years, breast cancer, 7 spinal fractures and generally do not complain. I keep telling doctors that this summer something is different- worse.
I made an appointment with my primary care NP who I like, to go over all the tests other docs want (so many repeats) and say I just want pain relief. Time will tell on the scleroderma. General rheum's don't always know much so I am waiting for appt. with scleroderma center in October.
Meanwhile my hand is tightening every day and hurts quite a bit. Thanks!
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Can you feel a cord (thickening of a tendon) or a nodule on a tendon in the palm of your hand? Those would be characteristic of Dupuytren's disease. Dupuytren's disease is often associated with frozen shoulder. Dupuytren's can be worsened by pressure on the cords such as from lifting weights in physical therapy. It helps to support the hand with the support gloves that weightlifters use. Have you seen a hand surgeon? They are the best doctors to diagnose Dupuytren's. I would join a Facebook group for people with Dupuytren's. The members can help you find doctors that treat the condition with collagenase injections or topical Verapamil gel. I was able to dissolve a Dupuytren's nodule by faithfully applying the Verapamil gel.