3quartertime Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 Recently found out that I have Dupuytren's Disease. I have a contracure of my ring finger and pinkie on my left hand. About 30 degrees now, but it only took about a year for that to happen so I know I'll have to consider some treatment or something before too long. Hasn't affected my grip yet!!! Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhgtyre Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 I haven't heard of it but a Google search brought me up to speed on the basics. I am sorry to hear you have this. I hope you find a way to work through it or around it. -ld Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dunn Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 The only effective treatment is surgical release/excision of the fibrosed cords in the hand and fingers causing the contracture. I'd recommend getting in to see a hand surgeon. Get well soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlamoShooter Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 I am already known as a nut so ... Have you considered seeing an Acupucturists? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3quartertime Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 The only effective treatment is surgical release/excision of the fibrosed cords in the hand and fingers causing the contracture. I'd recommend getting in to see a hand surgeon. Get well soon. Thanks John. From what I've been reading the surgery can be pretty invasive, recovery can be 4 to 6 months and recurrance rates tend to be high. There is a new treatment called, Needle Aponevrotomy. Only a few doctors are doing it, but the reviews I've read by patients are very promising. I'll be seeing a local specialist after the holidays. I am already known as a nut so ... Have you considered seeing an Acupucturists? Heck I'd try voodoo if I thought it would be a permanent cure!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carinab Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 My grandfather had it and he had the surgery without ever having another reoccurence for what it's worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlamoShooter Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 The only effective treatment is surgical release/excision of the fibrosed cords in the hand and fingers causing the contracture. I'd recommend getting in to see a hand surgeon. Get well soon. Thanks John. From what I've been reading the surgery can be pretty invasive, recovery can be 4 to 6 months and recurrance rates tend to be high. There is a new treatment called, Needle Aponevrotomy. Only a few doctors are doing it, but the reviews I've read by patients are very promising. I'll be seeing a local specialist after the holidays. I am already known as a nut so ... Have you considered seeing an Acupucturists? Heck I'd try voodoo if I thought it would be a permanent cure!!! The Cost of Voodoo is very high Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3quartertime Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 My grandfather had it and he had the surgery without ever having another reoccurence for what it's worth. Do you remember how old he was when he had the surgery? I guess I'm at the younger end of the range that this usually shows up in. The Cost of Voodoo is very high Yea, but ever since that scene with Lisa Bonet and the chicken blood I've been saving my pennies just in case! BTW,,, Just found out that I share 'Da Viking Claw' with some famous folks. Ronald Reagan, Margret Thatcher and Frank Sinatra! There goes my plan to 'blame' my lack of effort on my 'condition'. Ratzzz... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Ellis Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 A tidbit from WebMD stated "It is unclear whether repeated use of heavy, vibrating machinery, such as a jackhammer, is related to Dupuytren's disease." Have you been doing any sheet metal work or other pneumatic tool work lately? Pounding rivets could be a contributing factor. BTW: Snap-On Impact 2 gloves work very well in reducing vibration induced fatigue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3quartertime Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 Hi Hank! For a little over a year or so I've been an avionics lead so I really don't do much more than shuffle paper work. I did work for about 3 years after I got laid off doing physical contracting stuff and I guess somewhere around that time I started to notice the first signs. (course I didn't know what they were!), but the contrature has happened in the last year or so. To be perfectly honest the only triggering activity that I've read that fits me is drinking. But that's not something I just started recently either. It's genetic, but who knows what activated it now. Seriously if ya had to pick a stupid rare disease to have this isn't a bad one. No real discomfort except for loss of motion. No cure, but there seems to be some valid treatments to control it. And it's got a cool name. VIKING CLAWWWWWWWWWW... ( works better if you use a pirate accent when you say it!) Whats not to love about that!!! lol... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ima45dv8 Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 I have a client in Houston who is similarly afflicted, and the surgery helped quite a bit. It's not gone, but is much better. Best wishes for your treatment plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dunn Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 A quick literature search on Pubmed came up with one article published twice from France. It listed a 24% re-op rate and a 58% recurrence rate at 3 years for the Aponeurotomy. There was only one nerve injury listed on a re-op. My main concern with this technique is possible injury to the digital nerves, as they are not visualized, and the diseased cords can distort the normal anatomy (ie, location of the nerves). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carinab Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 My grandfather was in his early sixties when he had his operation...I don't know that he suffered any issues with the surgery like numbness or lack of strength. But I would certainly be cautious about nerve damage. I hope the non-invasive option turns out to be viable for you. Good luck and I'll be throwing some prayers your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Orr Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 The real question..as I see it... Can you still play your guitar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3quartertime Posted December 13, 2006 Author Share Posted December 13, 2006 The real question..as I see it... Can you still play your guitar? That's really my major concern now. Loosing too much range of motion could make it really hard to fret. And I just bought a new Martin 000-16RGT!!! Thanks for the advise and concern everyone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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