How’d you cope going from two hands to one (Dupuytren’s contracture surgery)

In my case though, rather than not having the surgery, I have considered (seriously) elective amputation of my little finger as another option

After the contracture came back for my mum she ended up having this done.  I can’t remember now why they said she couldn’t have the contracture surgery again.  She was surprised at how much you use your little finger for day to day stuff, even a really bent one.  She’s adapted now though and its better than the dupuytrens was.

My brother has the starting of it as well. Fingers crossed (while I can) I don’t seem to have it (yet)

Eight weeks in to being effectively one handed (pinned finger fractures that healed well but then a second op last week to investigate potential osteomyelitis in another, uninjured, knuckle). Even with hand out of a cast three of my fingers are now effectively ‘stuck’ (only really mobile at the knuckle joint with the hand – will only bend at the other joints if forced with my other hand*) so not much use. Following second surgery even the index finger which was OK is now stiffening up.

Luckily my affected hand is my non-dominant one. Even so, everyday stuff can be ridiculously frustrating but you just find a way or not do that thing. You quickly learn how prehensile your mouth is… At least with some use of the index finger and the stuck fingers free I can do more – riding is a way off yet though I think and I’ve even just bought a smart trainer…

Given the extent of my ‘stuckness’ I’m facing 6 months of rehab until I get anything like full movement and strength back. Was just starting to see some progress but then they threw the new surgery in so now set back about 3 or 4 weeks again.

* I’m finding this fascinating though – I know the movement is physically there as while I couldn’t feel the discomfort under the regional block for the last surgery the surgeon crunched the frozen hand into a fist. Interesting how much of the stuckness is physical (tendons are obviously not working as they should) and how much is mental as I can bend the fingers using external force but they won’t bend on command – feels like my brain/body have forgotten how to make the fingers move following the periods of immobility in the cast?

I’m sorry, but someone has to and it might as well be me.

“Username checks out.”

Have a look at DMSO, maybe shows promise as therapy. As of Friday this article’s only up for 48 hours but these 2 days you can download a pdf free.
I have it and could share.
Yeah Dr. Mercola is considered contentious by some but there are some gems shared there.
.
extract:

“ “ Protein support — Uniquely, DMSO helps stabilize and refold misfolded proteins, offering hope for genetic disorders and diseases with protein build-up (e.g., amyloidosis, Dupuytren’s contracture, Peyronie’s disease). It’s even shown lifesaving benefits in challenging conditions like scleroderma”

https://everlast.mercolamarket.com/r/?id=h9207066,352b0a2e,322d8715&e=bWlkPURNMTY0NjYxOCZyaWQ9MTUzMTIwODcwJnAxPWEyNTQ4Zjk3YmRkMTNiOGM1NGRkZjViMTA4ZGExODcxMzc0ZTM3YzM1ZjBiZDUyMzMxMDVhZmVkMzAyY2EzMjcmcDI9MjAxNDA0MjMmcDM9dHJ1ZQ&s=ASggMrW3UsprkpA7Ibd1ublarsBVTcdktKqMkVCg6JY

Further to my previous entry.  I’ve had surgery on both hands.  Symptoms started when I was 40, now 53.  Each time the recovery is 6 to 8 weeks.  I’ve had no long term issues, or nerve damage. Hopefully this remains the case, but it’s a real concern, for each operation.  I’m lucky that I have health insurance to cover the procedures as the waiting times with NHS are long.

I’ll let you know. I am having my right hand done a week on Friday.

All done. Still spaced out on GA after effects but following my nutritional recovery plan diligently.  Cast off in a week, stitches out after 10 days, splint at night time for 3 months.

Take solace from the fact this means you are a viking!  Its a relatively recent ( in evolutionary terms) mutation that occurred in the viking population so you only get it if you have a viking ancestor.

Particularly living on your own then you do need an OT assessment.  As above – there are gadgets that can help and an OT is the person to help

Thanks TJ. Mrs Bloke, currently driving me home is primed to help me. Sköl!!

When my dominant hand was in a cast for three months due to a very serious wrist fracture (among many others), I bought the recumbent trike to continue commuting to work 🙂 . The insurance of the at fault driver paid for it. It took a while to use the left hand for mouse and typing. And at least CTRL-ALT-DEL has finally gone! Hope you heal fast.

Take solace from the fact this means you are a viking!

My Chinese colleague is a viking? He’ll be delighted as a first generation migrant!

tired – thats what I have thought it was – a chinese bloke getting it – thats weird.

I’ll cross my fingers for your recovery while I still can. Heal well!

OP. TD/LR life disruption is minimal, results are fantastic. 100% worth it for me.

I’m exactly 1 week post op and had my cast removed this morning. I have a light dressing on for a few more days and have the sutures out on Monday. I am really, really chuffed with how well it’s gone. I’ve had no pain at all, even immediately post op. I already have nearly full movement back in my hand. My finger is almost completely straight, maybe 97 or 98%. All the sometimes painful nodules are gone.

The cast wasn’t too bad. A bit uncomfortable sleeping and a pain having to wrap it up for showers. I had my thumb and two good fingers sticking out, so I wasn’t completely one handed. From now, I’m encouraged to use my hand as much as possible. It’ll be at least a month I reckon before I’m cycling. I have physio to do, have to wear a splint at night and need to treat the scar with E45. In my case the contracture was seriously inhibiting lots of stuff I like to do. The improvement, after just one week is remarkable. Big up the awesome NHS.YMMV, but for me it has really improved my quality of life with no downsides.

My hand now. To be fair, there is a very juicy scar under the dressing (pics available on request)! If anyone asks, I earned it in a knife fight in a Saigon bar in 76, – but I don’t like to talk about it!

good result – nice one