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If you have T1D, have you also been diagnosed with Dupuytren's contracture? (Dupuytren's contracture is an abnormal thickening of the skin in the palm of your hand at the base of your fingers.)
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I have neuropathy in my hands and fingers, including contracture and stiffening of the finger joints and muscle wasting at the base of my thumbs. I was once told it was carpal tunnel syndrome, but not Dupuytren’s since most of my fingers could still touch when I placed my palms together in prayer position. Now the joints in my first and middle fingers are bent and don’t quite straighten out.
Several years ago I was also told i needed surgery to correct it all with no guarantees. I refused and went to see an occupational therapist instead and learned very effective hand flexibility and strengthening exercises that I still do today. My hands are still affected by neuropathic numbness, tingling, and stiff fingers but I have adapted and have learned to live with it.
almost the same story for me, myofascial massage therapy and stretches have helped quite a bit over time.
Duputrens name of my existence. My mother had very mild case. I have had three surgeries. Not a bad surgery but when my little finger was bending again I opted for Xiaflex injection. Worked like a charm. Only problem was bleeding because not one told me to stop baby aspirin. It has been a year and finger still straight. Wish i did injection first time. I do wear my splint at night. Not sure if help but makes me feel proactive. I have never gone this long without finger starting to bend again.
I had surgery for Duputryn’s contracture on my left hand six years ago and should have it done on my right hand as it has become more pronounced. A brother and husband, who do NOT have diabetes, also have Duputryn’s. I’m reluctant to have the right hand done because I never fully recovered the feeling in my left hand post-surgery. I am right-handed and an avid quilter. As long as I can continue to function without any pain in the right hand, I most likely will defer any surgery…although the right hand deformity does have “witchy” aspects.
I’ve struggled with Dupuytren’s contracture for many years having had surgery 5 times for the condition. I have a growth now on my little & ring fingers of my left hand. Previously it’s always been on my right hand.
I answered no, but my primary care doctor once diagnosed me with having this. But when I went to a specialist it turned out to be something else called trigger finger. Turns out I have since had that in both hands and three different fingers.
Trigger finger is Dupuytrens
I have read where Dupuytren’s contracture is not the same thing as trigger finger. In fact they are considered very different medical conditions. I have had surgery for trigger finger myself.
Yes and it’s worse in the right hand.
I had them in the past and they receded with improved control with a pump and cgm.
Yes, in several fingers. Had to have surgery on left hand b/c i couldn’t be thpe. Worked for a few years then came back. Now in foue fingers but I can still workdo anything worth doing……
I hit my thumb on something in the past, maybe injured/dislocated it, as the last knuckle in my thumb was bent about 90 degrees for around two years. It did look quite unusual, and I was unable to straighten it. I just noticed, when reading your question, that it is pretty much back to normal.
Dupuytren’s Contracture (aka Palmer’s Fibromatosis) is NOT the thickening of the skin of the palm. It’s inflammation of the tendons that causes scar tissue on the sheaths covering the tendon as it rubs under the bands in the palm. While it is considered an inheritable disease common in Eastern or Northern Europeans, it also is common diabetics.
BTW, I have it in both hands and had numerous surgeries over the years to remove the scar tissue.
I think you may be mistaken.
According to the Mayo Clinic (for those who want to know for sure what it is)…
Dupuytren’s contracture typically progresses slowly, over years. The condition usually begins as a thickening of the skin on the palm of your hand. As it progresses, the skin on your palm might appear puckered or dimpled. A firm lump of tissue can form on your palm. This lump might be sensitive to the touch but usually isn’t painful.
In later stages of Dupuytren’s contracture, cords of tissue form under the skin on your palm and can extend up to your fingers. As these cords tighten, your fingers might be pulled toward your palm, sometimes severely.
The two fingers farthest from the thumb are most commonly affected, though the middle finger also can be involved. Only rarely are the thumb and index finger affected. Dupuytren’s contracture can occur in both hands, though one hand is usually affected more severely.
That and more info is from…
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dupuytrens-contracture/symptoms-causes/syc-20371943
I’ve had trigger finger but not Dupuytren’s contracture.
I have had trigger finger in 7 different fingers. I have dupuytren’s in right ring finger which is not one of the 7 that triggered. These two conditions are completely different and don’t feel anything alike.
Yes, on both hands. It is stable and not interfering with daily tasks. Interestingly, my son, age 39, is NOT diabetic and is developing the condition as well, but he does have gout. We have no family history of the condition though.