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.
thank you. I was treated for trigger finger and tendonitis. when treated for lymphedema the cording on right hand disappeared but left hand still has cording. I can still flatten my hand. therapist said cording might be beginning of "viking hand'. I will ask Dr. about Verapamil gel..I love doing arts and crafts with my hands.
I have had this for 20 years. I sympathize with everyone. I am a female and have it in both hands and I have its sister disease in the bands of the arches in both my feet as well. I have had surgery all over my fingers and hands and both my feet. It always comes back. I have read that if you have it in 1 hand, for some unknown reason it will sometime go to the other. A study also said if it is in hands it may develop in the feet. (the name in the feet is different) The ones in the feet are like small marbles and they get bigger and bigger. One doctor said he won't remove the foot ones because it weakens the tendons they are attached to. I have found that one of my foot surgeries have caused my arch to drop. Doctors say I have it worse than most men. I have not had the injections before, I have had pin surgery and the good old scalpel and stitches. I do suggest to everyone to get a good hand surgeon. With my fingers, my waiting on the pinky to get bad enough (in my opinion) was far too long. Having had surgery in the pinky before my waiting for the disease to slow down before surgery and my personal decision to stall will cost me physically. The bands are so thick and short, plus involving old scar tissue there are risks far greater. I have been warned the possible negative results. I have bouts with this stuff growing like crazy then slow growth then stop for a couple of years. I feel like this is routine anymore. Interestingly, 1 doctor said to wait until it slows or stops. Hard to tell if it is time. I went to another doctor and he knew the other two that did the other surgeries. They all disagree on tactics of my case. I selected this third one because my wish is to try someone with a fresh approach (I have little to loose). The last time this was done by #2 he said he forgot to remove some of the tissue somewhere down my hand (he said he was sorry). Now that I waited so long, I know this will really be bad and the therapy is very painful. Most of my hands and fingers are very straight but the pinky fingers will never be (almost 90 degrees). All I can say is don't wait around too long. Get another opinion and get her done.
I have a mild case. What I do is stretch my fingers many times per day. I use “yoga hands” a device I bought on Amazon. It’s good I think because it allows the stretch to be very tight or whatever you are able to do. Search for “ finger separators for hands” and you’ll find LOTS. My father and brother had bad cases of Dupuytrens. I’m lucky to have only a mild case. I think the stretching helps
I have had this for 20 years. I sympathize with everyone. I am a female and have it in both hands and I have its sister disease in the bands of the arches in both my feet as well. I have had surgery all over my fingers and hands and both my feet. It always comes back. I have read that if you have it in 1 hand, for some unknown reason it will sometime go to the other. A study also said if it is in hands it may develop in the feet. (the name in the feet is different) The ones in the feet are like small marbles and they get bigger and bigger. One doctor said he won't remove the foot ones because it weakens the tendons they are attached to. I have found that one of my foot surgeries have caused my arch to drop. Doctors say I have it worse than most men. I have not had the injections before, I have had pin surgery and the good old scalpel and stitches. I do suggest to everyone to get a good hand surgeon. With my fingers, my waiting on the pinky to get bad enough (in my opinion) was far too long. Having had surgery in the pinky before my waiting for the disease to slow down before surgery and my personal decision to stall will cost me physically. The bands are so thick and short, plus involving old scar tissue there are risks far greater. I have been warned the possible negative results. I have bouts with this stuff growing like crazy then slow growth then stop for a couple of years. I feel like this is routine anymore. Interestingly, 1 doctor said to wait until it slows or stops. Hard to tell if it is time. I went to another doctor and he knew the other two that did the other surgeries. They all disagree on tactics of my case. I selected this third one because my wish is to try someone with a fresh approach (I have little to loose). The last time this was done by #2 he said he forgot to remove some of the tissue somewhere down my hand (he said he was sorry). Now that I waited so long, I know this will really be bad and the therapy is very painful. Most of my hands and fingers are very straight but the pinky fingers will never be (almost 90 degrees). All I can say is don't wait around too long. Get another opinion and get her done.
@germangal , You have had quite a long struggle with this. And you are absolutely correct to recommend a hand surgeon and even a 2nd opinion.
My husband has Dupuytren's Contracture in one of his palms. I remember when he first spoke to PCP about it, he was referred to orthopedic specialist who wanted to go right into surgery. Husband sought a 2nd opinion of a hand surgeon specialist, and she did not recommend surgery because they were giving an injection for it at that time. It worked for him. and has been stable tor the paste 7 years. Next step, if needed, will likely be surgery unless there is another way to treat it.
I did not know that feet could be affected. Does this interfere with walking? Do arch supports help or hinder? Are you considering surgery for the pinkie?
@germangal , You have had quite a long struggle with this. And you are absolutely correct to recommend a hand surgeon and even a 2nd opinion.
My husband has Dupuytren's Contracture in one of his palms. I remember when he first spoke to PCP about it, he was referred to orthopedic specialist who wanted to go right into surgery. Husband sought a 2nd opinion of a hand surgeon specialist, and she did not recommend surgery because they were giving an injection for it at that time. It worked for him. and has been stable tor the paste 7 years. Next step, if needed, will likely be surgery unless there is another way to treat it.
I did not know that feet could be affected. Does this interfere with walking? Do arch supports help or hinder? Are you considering surgery for the pinkie?
In a few weeks. I am scheduled on pinky as it is bent and going numb in places and pain is getting old. Scaring from it having previous surgery will be a big problem too. A surgeon is a surgeon, that's what they do. I asked about injections and was told the best results are not so severe. I also have a lot of scaring.
As for this in the feet is Lederhosen disease that can need surgery if severe. I had one side done then it developed under the other foot. My new foot doctor said he doesn't do it because it weakens arch and can cause flattening of foot. We looked at the previous foot and saw it is causing me to loose arch support. So as you see there are lessons learned from other doctors. Orthopedic doctors are seeming to be my best choices. But it just may be the Doctor that ain't starving. Lol Good luck!
I have a mild case. What I do is stretch my fingers many times per day. I use “yoga hands” a device I bought on Amazon. It’s good I think because it allows the stretch to be very tight or whatever you are able to do. Search for “ finger separators for hands” and you’ll find LOTS. My father and brother had bad cases of Dupuytrens. I’m lucky to have only a mild case. I think the stretching helps
I have thick cords sort of lumpy short bumps. Feel hard some move and some don't. They pronounce when you stretch hands flat and look whiter and most stick up a bit. Not really painful as a rule.
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Thanks for the info! I am not sure if this is Dupuytren's or scleroderma. I appreciate the suggestion of a hand surgeon.
I had hand surgery and it straightened it out
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1 Reactionthank you. I was treated for trigger finger and tendonitis. when treated for lymphedema the cording on right hand disappeared but left hand still has cording. I can still flatten my hand. therapist said cording might be beginning of "viking hand'. I will ask Dr. about Verapamil gel..I love doing arts and crafts with my hands.
I have had this for 20 years. I sympathize with everyone. I am a female and have it in both hands and I have its sister disease in the bands of the arches in both my feet as well. I have had surgery all over my fingers and hands and both my feet. It always comes back. I have read that if you have it in 1 hand, for some unknown reason it will sometime go to the other. A study also said if it is in hands it may develop in the feet. (the name in the feet is different) The ones in the feet are like small marbles and they get bigger and bigger. One doctor said he won't remove the foot ones because it weakens the tendons they are attached to. I have found that one of my foot surgeries have caused my arch to drop. Doctors say I have it worse than most men. I have not had the injections before, I have had pin surgery and the good old scalpel and stitches. I do suggest to everyone to get a good hand surgeon. With my fingers, my waiting on the pinky to get bad enough (in my opinion) was far too long. Having had surgery in the pinky before my waiting for the disease to slow down before surgery and my personal decision to stall will cost me physically. The bands are so thick and short, plus involving old scar tissue there are risks far greater. I have been warned the possible negative results. I have bouts with this stuff growing like crazy then slow growth then stop for a couple of years. I feel like this is routine anymore. Interestingly, 1 doctor said to wait until it slows or stops. Hard to tell if it is time. I went to another doctor and he knew the other two that did the other surgeries. They all disagree on tactics of my case. I selected this third one because my wish is to try someone with a fresh approach (I have little to loose). The last time this was done by #2 he said he forgot to remove some of the tissue somewhere down my hand (he said he was sorry). Now that I waited so long, I know this will really be bad and the therapy is very painful. Most of my hands and fingers are very straight but the pinky fingers will never be (almost 90 degrees). All I can say is don't wait around too long. Get another opinion and get her done.
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1 ReactionI had surgery performed by a specialist. Removed tissue. Healed beautifully and am back 100%.
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1 ReactionI have a mild case. What I do is stretch my fingers many times per day. I use “yoga hands” a device I bought on Amazon. It’s good I think because it allows the stretch to be very tight or whatever you are able to do. Search for “ finger separators for hands” and you’ll find LOTS. My father and brother had bad cases of Dupuytrens. I’m lucky to have only a mild case. I think the stretching helps
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2 Reactions@germangal , You have had quite a long struggle with this. And you are absolutely correct to recommend a hand surgeon and even a 2nd opinion.
My husband has Dupuytren's Contracture in one of his palms. I remember when he first spoke to PCP about it, he was referred to orthopedic specialist who wanted to go right into surgery. Husband sought a 2nd opinion of a hand surgeon specialist, and she did not recommend surgery because they were giving an injection for it at that time. It worked for him. and has been stable tor the paste 7 years. Next step, if needed, will likely be surgery unless there is another way to treat it.
I did not know that feet could be affected. Does this interfere with walking? Do arch supports help or hinder? Are you considering surgery for the pinkie?
In a few weeks. I am scheduled on pinky as it is bent and going numb in places and pain is getting old. Scaring from it having previous surgery will be a big problem too. A surgeon is a surgeon, that's what they do. I asked about injections and was told the best results are not so severe. I also have a lot of scaring.
As for this in the feet is Lederhosen disease that can need surgery if severe. I had one side done then it developed under the other foot. My new foot doctor said he doesn't do it because it weakens arch and can cause flattening of foot. We looked at the previous foot and saw it is causing me to loose arch support. So as you see there are lessons learned from other doctors. Orthopedic doctors are seeming to be my best choices. But it just may be the Doctor that ain't starving. Lol Good luck!
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYes stretching helps!
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1 ReactionI have thick cords sort of lumpy short bumps. Feel hard some move and some don't. They pronounce when you stretch hands flat and look whiter and most stick up a bit. Not really painful as a rule.