Dupuytren's disease

Dr Google says it’s genetic but no one in my family has it. I either have a different father or it’s not always genetic. Thoughts? I climb a lot and also use my hands a lot for typing and yard labor. I have nodules in both hands which hurt on gym holds but not when climbing outside. I still have full range of motion. 

I developed it about 6 years ago at 42. I have nodules in both hands and have had a needle aponeurotomy on my right pinky. Recovery was a few days.

I’ve been happy with it. I have almost full range of motion now and climb normally except the skin tears around my right pinky nodule sometimes.

Open access.

Khaliq F, Orj C. Dupuytren's Contracture: A Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2024 Dec 2;16(12):e74945. doi: 10.7759/cureus.74945. eCollection 2024 Dec.          

Not open access, but I can get it if anyone wants.

Kordahl AM, Unadat JV. Dupuytren's Contracture: Approach to Treatment and Counseling Patients in 2024. Clin Plast Surg. 2024;51(4):527-537.https://doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2024.05.002

Thanks Walter!!  I will say after 3 solid weeks of taking 800-1500 mg of magnesium, and Tumeric it’s really helped.  Starting regular collagen intake as well in the next week.  The alcohol aspect will probably fade out, so I’m glad to hear progression has halted.

Michael, I hate to hear climbing slowed.  As long as you’re happy.  I plan to go full throttle for the next 5 years and then taper off.  I really want to tick some dream projects.  Thank you everyone!  I’ll keep posting reports.  

Nico, I have heard totally unscientific and unsupported claims that dietary collagen could exacerbate the problem as dupuytrens is essentially a buildup of collagen. One of the treatments is an injection of collagenase to break it down and restore ROM. Personally I stopped taking collagen when I was diagnosed 

Sam C wrote:

Nico, I have heard totally unscientific and unsupported claims that dietary collagen could exacerbate the problem as dupuytrens is essentially a buildup of collagen. One of the treatments is an injection of collagenase to break it down and restore ROM. Personally I stopped taking collagen when I was diagnosed 

I checked PubMed and Google Scholar, I didn't find anything on collagen supplementation and Dupuytren's. 

I just happened to stumble on to this thread and am really glad I did.  I started developing nodules roughly 5 years ago and have been back into see a hand specialist twice.  Both times was essentially recommended that I just wait until the contracture had progressed to the point where they could do an enzyme injection to weaken/partially dissolve the cord and essentially snap/bend the fingers back in place - assuming this is Xiaflex treatment.  I was told my fingers weren't yet "bent" enough for the injections to be effective.  The only other option I was told was surgery - this thread is the first time I've heard of needle aponeurotomy.  At this point, my left hand pinky has around a 20 degree bend, and my right hand pinky around a 45 degree bend - quite annoying when i'm trying to wash my face, put on sunscreen, etc.!

Curious what others in this situation have done - I wonder if at this point it has progressed so far that loading up on magnesium will have little effect, but any ideas welcome!

I had radiation treatment for my nodules and it cured my duputryens over 10 years ago. Studies show that 80% of recipients get remission or cessation of nodule growth.

bmdhacks wrote:

I had radiation treatment for my nodules and it cured my duputryens over 10 years ago. Studies show that 80% of recipients get remission or cessation of nodule growth.

Hi bmdhacks!  I live in your area.  Do you have any recommendations for the Doctor that you saw?

Thanks!

Sam C wrote:

Nico, I have heard totally unscientific and unsupported claims that dietary collagen could exacerbate the problem as dupuytrens is essentially a buildup of collagen. One of the treatments is an injection of collagenase to break it down and restore ROM. Personally I stopped taking collagen when I was diagnosed 

Thanks Sam C!  My mom told me this, and after you said something I took a quick look around online and agree with your claim.

Polo Kuo wrote:

I just happened to stumble on to this thread and am really glad I did.  I started developing nodules roughly 5 years ago and have been back into see a hand specialist twice.  Both times was essentially recommended that I just wait until the contracture had progressed to the point where they could do an enzyme injection to weaken/partially dissolve the cord and essentially snap/bend the fingers back in place - assuming this is Xiaflex treatment.  I was told my fingers weren't yet "bent" enough for the injections to be effective.  The only other option I was told was surgery - this thread is the first time I've heard of needle aponeurotomy.  At this point, my left hand pinky has around a 20 degree bend, and my right hand pinky around a 45 degree bend - quite annoying when i'm trying to wash my face, put on sunscreen, etc.!

Curious what others in this situation have done - I wonder if at this point it has progressed so far that loading up on magnesium will have little effect, but any ideas welcome!

Thanks polo!  I’m not excited to reach this point.   Do you still climb at all? Did you change your life in someway to help benefit your hands?

1. Stretch hands every day?

2. Any diet implications? Sounds like no drinking. 

Nico C wrote:

Hi bmdhacks!  I live in your area.  Do you have any recommendations for the Doctor that you saw?

Thanks!

I went to Dr Alexander R. Gottschalk when I lived in the bay area. I had gone to a hand specialist and he said theres nothing to be done until the contracture is bad enough for coligenase or cutting. I asked about radiation and he guffawed at me. 

So I found and contacted Dr Gottschalk myself. My insurance even paid for the whole thing. I never even stopped climbing.