Dupuytrens Contracture and Cycling
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Its been 3 weeks since my operation for severe DP, thought I'd make some observations.
I worked for 40 plus years woodworking, building or teaching woodworking. I'm righthanded so almost always, tools were held in that hand. My DP is in my left hand. Reading through this thread I also began to wonder if riding on the hoods, which is normal for me, may have added pressure of some sort to exacerbate the condition. Then I remembered that DP typically starts in the ring finger and only drags the pinky finger along later on, at least that's my experience. Once the pinky joined in things worsened quickly, less than a year before I could not put on a pair of gloves etc. So, in my experience at least,there's not a lot to be done about it except possibly try to stretch the fingers early on. I did read somewhere that DP is more common among those afflicted with Gout, which I have but manage.
So, stretch and do what you can.
The operation is no fun. My condition was advanced and I should have sought treatment earlier. My best guess now is that it will be about 2 months for recovery. Again, its just a hand and did not involve cardiology or oncologists or any life threatening issues and for that I'm thankful, and I'll be better soon enough. Best advice is to keep a good watch on it and to make appts with hand specialists sooner rather then later.
BTW, my father was a Greek immigrant and my mother was the daughter of 2 Scottish immigrants so theres some northern european genes but not enough to make a good case. 5 older brothers, none of whom even knows what DP is.
I worked for 40 plus years woodworking, building or teaching woodworking. I'm righthanded so almost always, tools were held in that hand. My DP is in my left hand. Reading through this thread I also began to wonder if riding on the hoods, which is normal for me, may have added pressure of some sort to exacerbate the condition. Then I remembered that DP typically starts in the ring finger and only drags the pinky finger along later on, at least that's my experience. Once the pinky joined in things worsened quickly, less than a year before I could not put on a pair of gloves etc. So, in my experience at least,there's not a lot to be done about it except possibly try to stretch the fingers early on. I did read somewhere that DP is more common among those afflicted with Gout, which I have but manage.
So, stretch and do what you can.
The operation is no fun. My condition was advanced and I should have sought treatment earlier. My best guess now is that it will be about 2 months for recovery. Again, its just a hand and did not involve cardiology or oncologists or any life threatening issues and for that I'm thankful, and I'll be better soon enough. Best advice is to keep a good watch on it and to make appts with hand specialists sooner rather then later.
BTW, my father was a Greek immigrant and my mother was the daughter of 2 Scottish immigrants so theres some northern european genes but not enough to make a good case. 5 older brothers, none of whom even knows what DP is.
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I have it it both hands. It was worse in my left so I had a left palmar fasciectomy this Dec. Rode the trainer after a week and was back riding outdoors in 2 wks. I couldn't straighten my ring finger but it hadn't progressed to a right angle. Doc said they used to wait until the finger was quite bent but now they prefer to do it earlier. My mother in law waited until she had trouble putting on gloves and the surgery didn't work as well and physio for her was much longer and painful. I was pleased with my surgery.
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Had multiple operations on both hands starting in 1994 when I was 26 not going to stat every operation but today at 51 I have had 12 dupuytrens operation on both hands. There isn’t much left to operated on and my hands are contracting again but I still get on my bikes. At times it doesn’t feel so great but after a few miles and the endorphins kick in everything is great. Now my hands are swolen I hate life but tomorrow I will be on one of my bikes
#29
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I've had it for about five years, first in the right hand and more recently in the left. Last year I started going out with a holistic healer. She recommended drinking pineapple juice regularly (the juice is used to tenderise meat so may help with the contracting fibres in the tendon sheath).
After a year of drinking about half a pint every day, the decline appears to have stopped. I've no idea whether it will help my hands get better, but I'm hopeful.
I should also add that I haven't eaten meat in 30 years, which may also have helped slow down the condition in the first place.
After a year of drinking about half a pint every day, the decline appears to have stopped. I've no idea whether it will help my hands get better, but I'm hopeful.
I should also add that I haven't eaten meat in 30 years, which may also have helped slow down the condition in the first place.
#30
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Dupuytrens contracture and Cycling
I had surgery on both hands about 10 years ago. Seems they scrape it off the tendons. I had gotten to a point where I could no longer open my hands. It worked. I had to do my right hand again last year. My left isn't bad enough yet but probably will need it in a couple more years.I have always worn gel gloves and as the hands tend to "claw" cycling wasn't a problem. It doesn't seem to be a 100 percent surgery and comes back. People who have tried the shots tell me it is painful and doesn't work. Just do one hand at a time.
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The surgeon told me the shots were worthless as you have stated. Unfortunately dupuytrens comes back I think I can hold out a few more years before more surgeries and I am sick of it. I had dupuytrens in my left foot it is called planters fibromatosis that was no fun couldn’t walk for a few months but I had a scooter to scoot around on. But like everything you can overcome it and manage to ride bikes and do other athletic endeavors by just being determined.
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I have Dupuytrens in the left pinkie and trigger finger in the left index finger. After Ziaflex and surgery, the pinkie is still progressing into a claw and it now just barely fits around the handlebar such that my biggest problem is my grip. With two fingers out of commission, I now have an appreciable loss of strength in that hand. Because I ride in an upright position, I sometimes need to tighten my grip when I approach a bump or hole.
Those of you who ride with your weight resting on your hands avoid that problem but, as many have stated, you need to deal with the pain. I'm lucky since my Dupuytrens is in the finger itself and not the palm. That being said, if I had it in the palm and rode bent over, I'd give serious consideration of switching to upright. Even with my grip issue, I find it to be manageable and pain-free.
Those of you who ride with your weight resting on your hands avoid that problem but, as many have stated, you need to deal with the pain. I'm lucky since my Dupuytrens is in the finger itself and not the palm. That being said, if I had it in the palm and rode bent over, I'd give serious consideration of switching to upright. Even with my grip issue, I find it to be manageable and pain-free.
Last edited by CapCrunch; 03-16-19 at 10:57 AM. Reason: typo
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Little bump in right hand. Doesn't cause me problems other than it hurts if I push on it. OTOH, I have some nerve pain in the heel of that hand when I ride too much on the tops. Maybe connected, maybe not. I always wear high quality cycling gloves which have ulnar nerve relief. 45 years a professional woodworker.
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Little bump in right hand. Doesn't cause me problems other than it hurts if I push on it. OTOH, I have some nerve pain in the heel of that hand when I ride too much on the tops. Maybe connected, maybe not. I always wear high quality cycling gloves which have ulnar nerve relief. 45 years a professional woodworker.
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My fave padded fingerless gloves have been Bontrager RXL Gel gloves. I took a quick look around and don't see very many for sale. Don't know if it's the season or out of production. I've been using them for years.
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Good thread. I’ve wondered why my little finger on my right hand was contracting and now I know. Mine is currently not that bad but has gotten worse. I first noticed it a few months ago while washing my hands. The pinky finger just wasn’t stretched out like the other fingers. I also have the knot in the palm on the tendon that goes to the Pinky finger. That knot has been there for years. I always thought it was related to playing a lot of golf. Years ago my physician thought was a calcium deposit.
Does it help slow down the contracture issue by stretching the finger? Pushing on the finger with the other hand?
BTW, Pearl Izumi gel gloves have always worked for me.
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Might be dupuytrens it started in my pinky finger back in 1994. If you have Northern European genetics you probably got that Viking gene from Count Dupuytren.
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Dupuytren's
A couple months ago I noticed some small bumps in the palm of my right hand an inch or so below m ring finger. Those bumps have become lager over the past couple of months but have not increased in size over the last month. Saw my GP yesterday for my annual and showed her the bumps and she diagnosed Dupuytrens and referred me to a hand specialist, but getting an appointment is going to take a couple of months. She said that injections of Xaiflex are most likely treatment.
A quick search here indicates some folks have this condition and continue to cycle. I am wondering if I should start wearing padded gloves since I do have some pain during and after riding. I generally do not wear gloves because for me they have caused more problems than providing any benefit.
For those of you who cycle with this condition, any advice you can offer about riding and living with this condition?
Thanks.....
A quick search here indicates some folks have this condition and continue to cycle. I am wondering if I should start wearing padded gloves since I do have some pain during and after riding. I generally do not wear gloves because for me they have caused more problems than providing any benefit.
For those of you who cycle with this condition, any advice you can offer about riding and living with this condition?
Thanks.....
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#40
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Since I first posted the nodules have not increased in size and I have had no symptoms or contracture. I did wear gloves for a short period of time, but as in my previous experiences with gloves, I found them uncomfortable and restrictive. I am hoping that this trajectory continues and I continue to cycle and live without any symptoms or contracture....
#41
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Dupuytrens contracture.....my father didn't leave me money, but he did let me inherit this.
I'm really lucky so far. It's just in my left pinky, which is curled into a permanent hook.
(I had a couple crush injuries to that finger as a kid.) But it still works on a keyboard.
For everything else (eg, weightlifting, shoveling), it stays out of the way, unused.
Grabbing anything I avoid using it because I might not be able to let go.
Surgery could fix it. But with the risks, pain, expense, & inconvenience, I prefer to cope.
Fortunately, bike handlebars are no problem at all.
Consider recumbent bikes. If you're willing to be nerdy & fast, there's no hand pressure.
I'm really lucky so far. It's just in my left pinky, which is curled into a permanent hook.
(I had a couple crush injuries to that finger as a kid.) But it still works on a keyboard.
For everything else (eg, weightlifting, shoveling), it stays out of the way, unused.
Grabbing anything I avoid using it because I might not be able to let go.
Surgery could fix it. But with the risks, pain, expense, & inconvenience, I prefer to cope.
Fortunately, bike handlebars are no problem at all.
Consider recumbent bikes. If you're willing to be nerdy & fast, there's no hand pressure.
#42
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Left pinky, maybe 20% angle. Started about 15 years ago and stabilized. Recently noted development in right palm. Will try to see a specialist at some point this year. Other than my pinky folding over when I put on gloves at times, its never bothered me. Good call not becoming a professional musician when I was young though.
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Louis Garneau Bike Gloves have been the best. Not too bulky but enough to keep hands comfortable.