Dupuytren's Contracture (DC)

Thank you Alan. The progression is slow and although the nodules in the palm may be tender if any pressure is applied i.e. gripping a tool firmly, I shall continue to live with it.

I've seen to many examples in friends who have had their DP operated for it to return a year or two later, for me to have any more ops.

I was surprised to read you have it in your feet but doesn't cause your toes to deform. If they are not deforming, how do you know you have DP in your feet? Have nodules formed?

I have toes deforming on both feet but this is down to spinal compression affecting the nerves that control the toes and as I no longer have control of them, the muscles waste leading to them curling. Sods law really, if your fingers are affected by one condition your toes will go as well but due to something different.

No nodules in the wrist thus far but far to many incidents of sudden unexplained weakness which can last for seconds on one occasion and minutes on another.

I have lumps on feet on sole about mid arch had them looked at and confirmed as dupytens but was assured they would not affect toes and they have not . I MUST say your experience of returning after a short time make me think my sergeons were very good as my ops are a distant memory . wish you well with what you deside . I put up with it for years until it affected what I could do . It affected my job and I rode a motorcycle and could no longerput my hand around the handle bars .

Very sorry to hear that you both have DC. This is a tricky disease to treat in my experience. Not everyone responds the same to treatments. I posted a few years ago and no replies, cannot find any of my past posts on DC since the new format.

FIRST I did surgery for one pinky finger slightly bent. After therapy and splinting it seemed to cause more nodes on my palm. After a year all three fingers were curled into a fist making it impossible to use my right hand as well as distortion of my whole hand and thumb after surgery. see in pic below.

NEXT did NA. The dry needling could not get thru the thick cording in palm.

NEXT Xiaflex injections. It was helpful but painful. After 2 weeks from injection the fingers were manipulated straight finally. Then more therapy and splinting. That was 7 years ago and I still wear a Fixxglove splint nightly and can use my rt. hand . At this point a small limitation, I cannot hold small items.

Some have also tried RA. Radiation therapy is very low radiation on the nodes in the palm area, if treated early I have read its helped many with shrinking the nodes in the palms preventing the cords from thickening and pulling the fingers down.

Also have LEEDERHOSE in both feet same as DC in hands. Treatment is massage , heat, ice, steroid injections, rest and soft insoles and arch support and foot exercises . Toes are getting worse and painful. What treatments if any have your feet responded to for DC treatment?

First pic below is 6 months after surgery showing all three fingers curling from new nodes formed on cords in the palm only one finger was effected before surgery..

Second pic showing treatment from Xiaflex at two weeks showing swelling and bruising. After therapy and splinting the fingers are open and the use of my hand is restored also showing slight deformity of hand and fingers .

The new format has a lot of new bugs yet to smooth out. I had retyped this 3 times and down loading the attachments were a problem so hope they came out ok since there is no preview before we post the final reply. Hope this opens up more conversations about DC treatments. the good, the bad and the ugly!

Thanks for the in depth report on your DC journey.

I no longer work, so I'm not overly concerned at the limitations my DC places on me and as the progression is slow since the one operation 4 years ago and the lumps in my palm cause little discomfort, I'm hopeful that by the time I kick the bucket or go gaga whichever comes first, my DC journey will be tolerable.

For younger DC sufferers there is very little option other than to go for some form of treatment which hopefully will at least delay progression until such time that age surpasses the need to keep on with treatment.

I've got a few other conditions that are more serious and life threatening although not causing me any discomfort and although the inconvenience and slight discomfort I get from DC can very occasionally p**s me off, on the whole I'm content with what life throws at me.

Thanks again for the replies and hopefully, one day, a more permanent solution the the DC issue will be found but I doubt in my remaining lifespan (20 - 25 years I hope.

All the best.

I am having no treatment for my feet, as other than a little discomfort from the lumps under the arches if on my feet too long. I am 67 and having op as soon as they can fit me in for right hand little finger had needle release d years ago . I had the choice of another needle release or proper op as the three previous ops was so long ago I cannot remember exactly when . I never had any problems after releases I guess Either I am lucky or we have good surgeons . Think is must be the second as my brother has has a few releases with no problems either. Hope things get better for you .

I would be interested to learn in what hospital you underwent needle release, assuming you are located in the UK. Thanks

Weston-super-mare General hospital N H S somerset . Same as my operations . Local hospital .

Thanks Alan

I FIRST NOTICED NODUALS IN MY 20's HAD MY FIRST OP IN MY 50,s . IT TOOK ABOUT 30 YEARS .I HAD ANOTHER OP LAST WEDNESDAY . I AM TOLD THEY ARE STOPPING DOING THEM BECAUSE OF THE COST . I WOULD SAY IT WILL BE QUITE A WHILE BEFORE YOU WILL FIND IT INCONVENIANT . AND THE ITS NOT PAINFUL JUST AN INCONVENIANCE AT TIMES . HOPE THIS WAS HELPFUL .