Dupuytren's Contracture

I have this, Cath. (It's where the little finger bends permanently towards the palm of the hand, for anyone who doesn't know.) About three years ago I had it treated privately as, at that time, the NHS offered only invasive surgery and I wasn't keen on that. In my case the surgeon injected the palm of my hand, which was very painful, and the next day he straightened my finger, which didn't hurt at all. He did warn me that the straightening would probably last only 18 months to 2 years and he was right as after 2 years it is was bad as ever. However, it does not bother me much and is not painful so I will not have it straightened again although I believe that now you can have it done by injection on the NHS. I was told that Dupuytren's is genetic but I don't know of anyone else in my family who has it. Margaret Thatcher had it and there is a photo of her waving that shows her crooked right finger quite clearly.

I know two Danish women who have it, mother and daughter.
The mother has had the injections, which did not work, then an operation which did.

My mother had it, and was disgusted to have something in common with Margaret Thatcher! She was told by her consultant that it proved she had Viking blood, as the gene originated from Scandinavia. The operation worked for her, but it was a long time ago.

I have it, but in the early stages. I have the lumps (knots) in the palm of my hand which will eventually result in my finger contracting. My mother had shortened ligaments in her ring and little fingers on both hands. She refused surgery, as it did not affect her dexterity. My DD is affected like my mother. My paternal grandmother also had it. We are definitely of Viking extraction.

Tall, blonde, unbearded, DD2 has it, but not too badly.

Good luck to all who have it.

I cannot have the needle method as mine is severe.. Unfortunately I left one hand far too long, so needed a skin graft but it seems that our right hands get it worse, which is positve for me, as I am left handed.
One of my female cousins and myself were born with a tricger thumb, we both had it operated which improved. But a few years ago, both thumbs started to bend so that is a nusence as well as an operation on my two middle fingers not being a success.
However it was a cousin who first got the condition when he was only 25 and an architect. Poor chap now also has ledderhose.

It obviously comes from my paternal grandmother's side of the family as I can remember seeing her fingers so bent.

I had my right hand operated on about 9 years ago, as a Chef it was causing problems at work, the op was a great sucess. I had it with a local anasthetic it took about 20 minutes as a day patient.
My left hand is developing it but I probably will not get it operated on as I am retired now.
I seem to be the only one in the family with it.

As you said it only takes 10 mins, that is if you don't need a skin graft.

My last op I was taken into a small room, which I thought was the room where one was prepared for the op as I have been used to huge theatres..
When the chap said it was completed I was so surprised telling the group what I was expecting, so the poor surgeon, behind the curtains, must have been so fed up with hearing my chatter!

Yes I have this on my left hand, ring finger only. It began around five years ago but hasn't progressed beyond the lump in my palm and a slight tightening of the tendons. This happened very rapidly ( probably in a couple of months if I remember rightly) then it stopped and hasn't moved since.

My late Mum had it in both hands, little, ring and middle fingers and couldn't open her palms. However she lived on her own until she passed away at 97 and pretty much achieved total independence!