Dupuytren"s Contracture

[syncroid]

I found this thread by JoeBob from a few years back and thought i would add some depth.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1088876-who-has-dupuytren-s-contracture.html

I had mine fixed 11/18/2024. It started about five or six years ago with a knot in the palm of my left hand. At first not painful. Over the years I would forcibly straighten it whenever I thought about it. Excruciating pain! It had gotten so bad up until recently that I could no longer straighten it no matter what I tried. I am a mechanic for a living so my hands are my livlyhood.
I researched and talked to several people (doctors) about it. There were basically two options. 1. Needling it to break up the tissues with no gaurantee of having a straight pinky. Or 2. Surgery. I chose surgery. Not sorry about it.

My right hand has the beginning signs as well but I am not too worried about it. I now know what to expect.
I hope this helps anyone else who has this to make the right decision.

[masraum]

Glad you seem to have had it successfully resolved.

That looks like a PITA (or hand, I guess), but probably better than the alternative.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by syncroid

I am a mechanic for a living so my hands are my livelihood.

Yeah. That is important. Hope it is fixed permanently. Good thoughts.

(deleted rant)

[Mike Andrew]

BTDT a few times. Fortunately, it did not progress to the point of curling any fingers but certainly produced some good sized nodules in my palms. Lived with it as long as I could but lifting weights finally just became too painful and I bit the bullet and had surgery. Glad that I did. First the right and then the left a few years later. Looks like you have a nice scar to show off.

My understanding that it is far more prevalent in those of Northern European ancestry. At least that is what I have read and my ortho told me.

Several years later, I had the pleasure of developing Ledderhose's in the arch of my left foot. Basically, the same deal but on the bottom of the foot. Not an issue until the ski boots with custom insoles went on. So, back on the table.

There is some thought that Peyronie's (bent carrot) is another form of this condition.

[Noah930]

Best of luck, Dan. Hope you have a speedy and uneventful recovery.

[syncroid]

One week in as of today. The healing seems to be moving along nicely. I have one spot where the skin was too thin and it left a hole. The Doc says it will fill in over time. I'm back at work today to help with what I can. Phones, customers, etc. I did change a front turn signal bulb on a 2011 Cayman S today.
The biggest thing getting used to this so far is typing. My little finger thinks it is about 3/4 of an inch lower and I keep hitting the CAPS lock.
I fall into the Northern European catagory as Mike mentioned. Was not aware of that.

Thank you for the good thoughts! Much appreciated!

[rfuerst911sc]

Your nickname should be zoro to match the scar . Good luck healing .

[syncroid]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Your nickname should be zoro to match the scar . Good luck healing .

Thanks buddy. Or I can make a up story about a giant clam that got ahold of me.

[GH85Carrera]

Your career as a hand model is over!

Keep getting better.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Your career as a hand model is over!

Keep getting better.

Hand model........... made me think about the Seinfeld episode where George was a hand model

[Scott Douglas]

I'm 73 and can still lay my hand flat. The knot on my little finger is the biggest 'worry' I have right now.
Maybe when I get to see my new doctor next year I'll ask his opinion.

[syncroid]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Your career as a hand model is over!

Keep getting better.

LOL!!

Scott, If you can still lay your hand flat on it's own, you're doing pretty good. It is when the contracture starts pulling the fingers inward and you can no longer straighten them (even if you force them) that you would want to consider this surgery. In the beginning I would forcibly straighten my hand, tearing the tissue every chance I would think about it trying to keep ahead of the contracture. It won! It got so strong I could no longer tear it.

[jhynesrockmtn]

My buddy just has his treated, but not surgically. They injected something into his hand and then he went through a few rounds of extreme PT. My term. I think the name of the drug is Xiaflex.

[Chocaholic]

This isn’t like that bent carrot ad, is it?

Oh wait…