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Dupuytren's syndrome

(12 Posts)
Mark1964 Sun 08-Sep-19 12:22:22

Hi all new to this first post.here it is. I have dupuytrens syndrome and have had it for a long time.i have had a operation six months ago. My problem is the finger they operated on was relatively successful.but after six months I am losing strength and flexibility with my other fingers particularly the one next to the operated finger.i am unable to bend it.the specialist has stated I have not exercised it enough.yet despite intense physio and exercises at home since the operation.its getting worse.the specialist wants to give me another operation but this will be complex and involve opening both sides of my hand while I'm a awake to find out what the problem is.i think personally has cut a nerve . Can anyone give me any advice on this please.by the way my operation was a full fasciectomy of my left little finger.they also have sted that I have hyper extending pip joints.this means my fingers bend further back.thanks in anticipation with your comments.mark

GrandmaMoira Sun 08-Sep-19 12:33:31

I also have this condition but not badly enough for surgery so didn't want to just ignore. I don't have any advice but maybe a second opinion would be a good idea. Can you afford to go private?

Charleygirl5 Sun 08-Sep-19 12:41:01

Welcome. It is actually quite unusual for your little finger to be involved- it is usually the middle and/or ring fingers which are affected. Usually one eg the middle finger starts to contract inwards and then the ring finger follows. Surgery is not always 100% successful.

I also cannot understand why you have hyperextension when the fingers with this problem contract towards the palm of the hand.

Perhaps seek a second medical opinion?

I do not think you will receive much help here as it is quite specialised. Good luck.

PamelaJ1 Sun 08-Sep-19 12:44:23

Welcome Mark,
My DH has had both his hands operated on and it has been very successful. This is not to say that he has the same range of movement as he used to but much better than it could have been.
If you think that there has been some nerve damage then I think you can be tested to see if there is anything amiss in that area before committing to more surgery.
I can’t help with any advice re.the operation your consultant is suggesting but I am sure that you would have some sort of local anaesthetic so you wouldn’t feel too much. Have you asked?

Charleygirl5 Sun 08-Sep-19 12:47:57

Did you go to a proper hand surgeon? I know they are few and far between but it is so much better than any orthopaedic surgeon who thinks he can turn his hand to anything.

EllanVannin Sun 08-Sep-19 12:53:50

Mine has improved over the years.I was probably in my 40's when I first noticed the constriction that I had from the palm of my hand to the little finger on my right hand. I remember explaining it to the GP all those years ago but he just more or less shrugged it off saying that if it gets any worse he can inject it.
Anyway, 30 odd years later, it hasn't come to anything just a hard line/lump in the palm of my hand which hasn't affected my finger at all so it looks as though I've got away with it.

It is more common in men and is probably an hereditary thing as I seem to remember my father having it too.

MiniMoon Sun 08-Sep-19 13:41:58

My mother had dupuytren's contractors from birth. The middle, ring and little fingers on both hands had shortened ligaments. She never bothered to have treatment as she was used to it.
I developed it in my 50's. Lumpy ligaments in both palms. Fortunately, as yet I have no contracture.
When I went to see the GP about it, he said that he knew where my ancestors came from. Apparently it's a Viking trait!

PamelaJ1 Sun 08-Sep-19 13:52:06

Mini moon, all that rowing!

MiniMoon Sun 08-Sep-19 13:55:31

Pamela grin

Mark1964 Sun 08-Sep-19 15:58:34

Hi all thanks for the messages.just to clear things up.before surgery which was on my little finger of my left hand. I was able to completely bend my ring finger.now I'm not and my finger next to it is starting to tighten up.this is not the surgery finger. The specialist has stated this is due to lack of exercise.jet I have exercised it every day for six months since surgery.and physio imput.what has surprised me is the way the consultant has put the blame kinda on me.he has suggested during the consultation that I just leave it the way it is.and also another operation.but by his body language he obvious does not want to operate.stTing that I can use my right hand instead. What realy concerns me is the fact I think somethings went wrong and he knows it. I have just had a x day after six months post surgery which h I thinks ironic. I have arranged a second opinion hopefully.will find out next week. I guess I'm just upset at the way I've being treated especially when this now could effect me for the rest of my natural life.i hope not.my concern is if they have made a mistake should they not tell me.and if my hand is limited now should they not explain that or what us actually wrong.i personally think they don't know what's happening.but I haven't been sent for scans. Or offered any other kind of treatment. Very blasae. Thanks again everybody.

Chewbacca Sun 08-Sep-19 16:04:06

My husband has this on the little fingers of both hands. He had his right hand operated on about 5 years ago and to be honest, it wasn't successful; in fact that hand is worse now than before it was operated on. Different hospital, different surgeon, operated on his left hand and that's very much better. Unfortunately, due to scar tissue (that looks like a rope going up his palm) nothing can be done to improve the right hand now.

're it being a Viking trait.... DH was told the very same thing!

Mark1964 Sun 08-Sep-19 18:20:38

Thanks chewbacca.its interesting what u said.my scar looks like a tight rope.after surgery the surgeon said at my first visit that the scar could be easily rectified with further surgery.but he wanted to wait until it settled down.thats why I waited for six month before I seen him next.now u understand why I was so shocked when he turned things around when I seen him next.from minor surgery to rectify the scar to be told it will be major surgery to find out the problem and he will only give me a local.anesthetic guess he needs me to be awake to find out which tendon isn't doing the job.he also suggested leave it as he said it might be worse after.i think he doesn't know what has happened but why doesn't he explain that instead simply it's my doing.im quite depressed about it.even put myself on the sick because of the pain during my exercises.my wife says it doesn't work so stop putting yourself through hell exercising it.theyve made a mistake and blaming u for it.the trouble is I am a nurse and it effects me with what I do especially using machines and things like that.thanjs for your comment.never thought about the scR being the primary cause.