Fingers

tonesp

I don't know if this is Arthritis But my wife's fingers on her right hand are gradually closing up into a claw The left hand is similar but not as bad However she had to have her wedding ring cut off on Wednesday last week The doctor at the hospital noticed the state of her hands and said it could be corrected surgically.Anyone have any experience of this problem?We heard a horror tale of weeks in a sling and skin grafts Thanks for any help Tony x:?: x:?: x:?:

dreamdaisy

Oh no, poor Mrs Tonesp, I am so sorry to hear this. One thing that springs to my sluggish mind is Dupuytren's Contraction (don't trust the spelling or the name) where summat similar to this happens but please remember that I am NOT a doc. I think that is caused by a thickening band of tissue across the palm and that pulls the fingers inwards: I think the surgical correction is to cut said tissue. I hope you are as OK as you can be - have you finished that turkey yet? DD

julie47

Hi Tonesp

My hand has morphed into a constant fist/claw.(but my problem may not be the same)
With me it is my left hand but luckily my wedding ring is still on and not become too tight. My Right hand is the other way and is constantly open and will not close at all. I was told i could have surgery to straighten my fingers but what put me off was seeing a lady in a next bed who had beautiful straight hands (they had been fused) and she couldn't use them.
This was about 18 years ago mind....and todays surgery could be much better leaving you with more use in them.
Even though my hands look horrid (to me anyway) I can still use them in a fashion.


I wish mrs tonesp well and hope she finds a solution for her hands

juliepf x

hileena111

Hi Tonesp
I've been diagnosed with that.....what DD said

Mine isnt bad......its the tops of the palms of my hands thickening and one finger ever so slightly bent. Different docs that have seen me for various things have noticed it and mentioned it......but they all say the same...nothing can be done until my fingers start to bend more than they are....fantastic isnt it. :x
I did ask what caused it.....most said it had nothing to do with arthur some said they didnt know and one said it was due to epilepsy :?: :?:
Just my situation and I havent been to see anyone specifically about this thickening
Love
Hileena

GraceB

Hi,
My partner had Dupetreyns Contracture on his right hand and he had surgery to release the tightened muscles on his middle, ring and little fingers. This has worked quite well for him although his finger's arent 100% straight but they're a lot better than they were. His other hand has gone now but he's ill at the moment with ME so can't deal with surgery. He'll need to have the left hand done soon or his fingers will be bent too much.

As I understand it, they have to be at a certain angle for surgery to be necessary, however, if left too long, they're past the point. So - it's a balancing act of when to get them done.

My partner's was done on a day surgery basis, with a local anaesthetic. he was home within hours and apart from a bit of post-op bleeding (the hospital didn't "sling him up" despite my querying this) and the stitches being so tiny it took about 3 visits to the Practice Nurse to get them all out he certainly doesn't regret having it done. No grafts and only in a sling for 24 hours - his choice not the hospital!

Mind you, I made him practice shaving, washing, etc., with his hand bandaged before the op - to make sure he could manage afterwards...

First port of call for your lady wife is the GP when they'll refer her to the relevant surgeon. Once she's put on the list get her to contact the surgeon's secretary and ask to be put on the cancellation list. This can cut weeks off the wait but of course you have to be able to drop everything at two days notice.

I wish her all the best and getting information and making her decision.
Grace.

jillyb1

I too have dupuytrens contracture , right hand an elegant talon 4 fingers bent down and touching wrist , thumb straight but usable ; left hand heading same way . I was told it could be corrected to look aesethetically better but I would probably have even less movement so I left well alone . I still take pride in my hands though and even wear false nails ( with daughter's help to attach ) when the fancy takes me ! Jillyb

tonesp

Thanks everybody I will pass your messages on to her

barbara12

Hi Tones
Sorry I cant help, but I see that the others have come up trumps again, give Mrs Tones an hugs from me xx