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Post-CMC Arthroplasty Dupuytren's?
I had surgery 7 weeks ago on my left (non-dominant) hand....suspension arthroplasty. My left fingers and hand are unusually tight and are still retaining fluid. I have been going 3x/week for hand therapy and the therapist has to spend time stretching my hand before I can do anything and it is still hard to even connect my thumb and pinkie.
I have had one cord of Dupuytren's contracture in my right hand for about 6 years...no progression. I have been concerned that maybe the trauma of the surgery on the left hand has set off Dupuytren's in that hand and it is causing these tightness/inability to put my hand down flat, etc.
Anyone experience post-hand surgery new onset of Dupuytren's in that hand? I know this is all conjecture on my part, but was wondering if there cound be a connection 10 weeks post-op.
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Injury or surgery can initiate Dupuytrens.
I injured my left hand 8 weeks ago and have been fighting the tendency of one finger to curl inwards. I am due to see the therapist again in a week, but scar tissue grows 24/7 and it cannot be left to its own devices that long.
Four/five times a day I am stretching the finger, sometimes under hot water, and massaging the palm vigorously with a wooden roller. The therapist would rather I were exercising every hour, but somehow life gets in the way.
However, when I sit down in the evening I lean on the hand with a heavy weight to make it flatten for a couple of hours.
I have also ordered a hand split, this one, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Apasiri-Metacarpal-Straightening-Immobilizer-Tendonitis/dp/B0CDBZG55F/ref=asc_df_B0CDBZG55F which I am going to wear on top of the hand, not underneath as shown, so that the finger is stretched overnight.
I am wearing Coban https://www.medisave.co.uk/products/3m-coban-self-adherent-bandage-skin-tone-2-5cm-x-4-5m-5 stretch bandage to expel the swelling. Initially I wore it at night, but now also during the day, other than mealtime for hygiene reasons.
It's annoying to have this complication, but I hope that with some bloody-mindedness, it can be defeated.
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1 Reaction@handsdown Full recovery from suspension CMC takes 3-6 months, the swelling and tightness happened to me with both hands. My hand therapist taught me both self-massge for the swelling and stretches to be done at least 3 times a day to get my hand flat. If I remember correctly that took around 3 months.
I appreciate your response so much ...and the links. Taping it has not been discussed and I never knew tape kept edema down!
@v8auto I appreciate your response so much ...and the links. Taping it has not been discussed and I never knew tape kept edema down!
@sueinmn Thanks! First I have heard of this sausage finger tightness and that makes me feel more confident. I do the massaging and the hand-flattening as well. Hopeful.
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2 Reactions@handsdown In the beginning, the swelling is protective, but later it can impede the process of restoring mobility.
Coban is a stretch tape. Stretch it about 40/50% as you apply it. Start at the top, wind it towards the base, Just a small overlap, you're not trying to mummify it. Leave the tip of the finger untaped so you can check that it's not too tight.
After a couple of uses the tape loses its 'stick' so you need a new length.
@v8auto Thanks so much!
I had surgery in my left hand a few years back - it was in my pinky and my palm. Now I have it in my right hand pinky, but the surgeon says because I can still lie my hand flat that there's nothing he can do. Clearly looking at my pinky anyone would say it's Dupuytrens. But I will not get surgery again. I've seen commercials for finding alternate treatments.
Did you have surgery for Dupuytren's in your left hand? Or did another type of surgery (trauma) bring on Dupuytren's in that hand? Thanks!