Dupuytren's contracture

User avatar
Mick F
Spambuster
Posts: 56359
Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 11:24am
Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Mick F »

Thank you Cath.
If there was a "like button" ....... I would press it.

No communication from NHS as yet. Difficult times methinks, but I live in hope.
Mick F. Cornwall
User avatar
matt2matt2002
Posts: 1126
Joined: 25 Oct 2009, 7:45pm
Location: Aberdeen Scotland UK

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by matt2matt2002 »

CathM wrote:Quote: "As I say, I'm realistic. Therefore I know the contracture will get worse."

It might or might not get worse. My husband (of E Scottish, Yorkshire and N German heritage so quite possibly a lot of Norse in there) has Dupuytren's in his left pinky. It bent to 90 degrees at the knuckle several years ago but has not worsened since, and his main complaint, like yours, is the difficulty in putting on cycling gloves. He was strongly advised against future amputation, as the pinky is your strongest and most useful finger for gripping - I believe it was a Samurai punishment, to amputate a little finger, as you can't use a sword effectively without it.


I've had my left little finger contracted at the knuckle for 10+ years. Fingers crossed (!!) It will not get worse. No pain. Just a pain putting on cycling gloves. I bought a pair this week, one size up from large, just so I can put them on. This leaves me with all fingers slightly short of the glove ends. Not ideal but the only way.
2017 Ethiopia.5 weeks.
2018 Marrakech 2 weeks.
2023 Thailand 8 weeks.
Always on a Thorn Raven/Rohloff hub.
User avatar
Mick F
Spambuster
Posts: 56359
Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 11:24am
Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Mick F »

My left pinky is becoming very difficult now.
Bent to about 20deg from my palm.

Not heard a dicky bird from the (ill)Heath Centre, so I'm using a short ride this morning to call in and prod them ........ not with my left pinkie! :lol:
Mick F. Cornwall
User avatar
Mick F
Spambuster
Posts: 56359
Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 11:24am
Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Mick F »

Taken just a few minutes ago.
IMG_0567.JPG
Mick F. Cornwall
Jdsk
Posts: 24630
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Jdsk »

There's an enormous backlog for elective surgery.

I strongly recommend enquiring by email (or 'phone if that isn't possible) for all administrative matters. (And for all non-urgent clinical matters.)

That both protects against transmission of the virus and reduces pressure on staff (as with a well-known northern bike shop).

Jonathan
User avatar
Mick F
Spambuster
Posts: 56359
Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 11:24am
Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Mick F »

Was down at the (ill)Health Centre earlier to hand in our prescriptions and spoke (socially distant) with the receptionist lady.
I have to phone at 08:30 on the day that I want a doctor to telephone me for a phone consultation.

I'll be doing that on Monday morning. I'll leave my phone on speaker, because it can take an age to get through all the announcements and the waiting in the queue.
Mick F. Cornwall
User avatar
Mick F
Spambuster
Posts: 56359
Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 11:24am
Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Mick F »

Didn't happen Monday or Tuesday, but it did today.
Spent ages getting to the front of the telephone queue and listening to the annoying diddly-dee music, but eventually spoke to the receptionist and explained my problem. Doctor lady phoned back within half an hour.

Explained my difficulties and how the left pinkie is becoming a liability and how the right pinkie isn't far behind. Se said she'd send me a text to reply to that I can upload photographs into and she suggested I'd need help to take the photos!

She wasn't wrong!
Mrs Mick F stepped up to the plate and did them, and now they are with the doctor lady to look at and put them in my records. She will hasten my referral to a specialist.
IMG_0581.jpg
IMG_0582.jpg
Mick F. Cornwall
User avatar
Mick F
Spambuster
Posts: 56359
Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 11:24am
Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Mick F »

Here we are in August.
My fingers are worse than the last post about them on here in May.

Received a letter from Derriford Hospital Plymouth yesterday, and I have an orthopaedic appointment booked for 1st Sept.

Thank goodness for that!
Mick F. Cornwall
Jdsk
Posts: 24630
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Jdsk »

I recommend writing down any questions that you have so that they aren't forgotten in the consultation.

NHS advice and Cochrane Review:
viewtopic.php?p=1548527#p1548527

Jonathan
User avatar
Mick F
Spambuster
Posts: 56359
Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 11:24am
Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Mick F »

Good idea regarding writing down questions and stuff.
Read all the links before.

Not convinced about any of it though.
I'm not sure that all the surgery etc is worth it.

We'll see after I chat to the people at hospital on the 1st Sept and I'm looking forward to the consultation.
Mick F. Cornwall
philvantwo
Posts: 1730
Joined: 8 Dec 2012, 6:08pm

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by philvantwo »

Four things are the cause of it, one of which is too much boozing.
It's terrible getting old and your body starts shutting down.
:(
Jdsk
Posts: 24630
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Jdsk »

philvantwo wrote: 7 Aug 2021, 8:09pm Four things are the cause of it, one of which is too much boozing.
There's many more than four risk factors:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dupuytren ... sk_factors

Jonathan
Jdsk
Posts: 24630
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Jdsk »

If you look at the risk factors in the Wikipedia article you'll see that by each one of them there's a citation. That enables the reader to see the evidence for the assertion.

What's your evidence for there being four, please?

Thanks

Jonathan
PDQ Mobile
Posts: 4659
Joined: 2 Aug 2015, 4:40pm

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by PDQ Mobile »

philvantwo wrote: 7 Aug 2021, 8:09pm Four things are the cause of it, one of which is too much boozing.
It's terrible getting old and your body starts shutting down.
:(
Look on the bright side, it's only the finger!
:shock:
User avatar
Mick F
Spambuster
Posts: 56359
Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 11:24am
Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: Dupuytren's contracture

Post by Mick F »

:lol: :lol:
When I first saw the doc about it, he said not to worry about it so long as I still pick a pint up!

Only issues I have is trying to wear gloves. I like to wear gardening gloves when out there digging, hacking a slashing and generally doing manual stuff.

I've given up with cycling mitts, and come the cold weather, I'll need mittens to keep my hands and fingers warm.
Mick F. Cornwall
Post Reply