Guitarists and Dupuytren's

Subject: RE: Guitarists and Dupuytren's
From: GUEST,FAST723
Date: 08 Aug 17 - 11:46 PM

I had mandatory surgery on my right hand 3.5 weeks ago, and my left is scheduled next. It still hasn't healed and is quite painful. However my finger flexibility is basically normal again. The largest incision is in the palm of my hand which is what remains unhealed and painful. My left hand isn't as severe, but as usual it affects the pinky first, and I've been unable to fret for a few years now. Once the left is done and healed, I hope to play again. I think it would be excellent PT anyway. Those of you who have it should know a few important facts. If it is in early stages, it can be treated by a hand surgeon in office with a simple needle procedure. Unfortunately, very few people realize they have it in the early stages.Stretching will not help it, and likely cause it to progress more rapidly. Injecting enzymes is ineffective. If you have Peroni's (It shows up years before Dupuytren's, but they are the same disease.), hopefully your urologist will warn you to watch for Dupuytren's and catch it early. Mine did not. I am told stem cell therapy on this is considered voodoo and virtually a dangerous fraud. Only get treatment from a respected hand surgeon. Although an outpatient procedure, the surgery is more painful than I was led to believe and the recovery longer than I expected already. Finally, the longer you wait, the more serious and painful the surgery will be. It can be far more serious if you wait too long and involve skin grafts and such. Have your surgeon monitor it every few months, and follow their advice on surgery.

Subject: RE: Guitarists and Dupuytren's
From: John Routledge
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 06:15 PM

I had my right hand little finger operated on 40 years ago. The surgeon did say that the contracture would re-occur eventually. Amazingly it is still in same position - although a bit older :0)

Subject: RE: Guitarists and Dupuytren's
From: Mudlark
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 04:24 PM

I have it too, Sooz, in my left hand. It runs in my family but I had no trouble until I started taking joint supplements for a bad hip. It took a lot of research before I made the connection and by that time I'd just about lost the ability to play. Stopped taking supplements and am now mostly recovered, left with only a non-painful bump in my palm. In pouring over research on the web I came across the micro-surgery being done by a few surgeons; started in Belgium/France I believe, but there are a few docs doing it in the states now, as well. Much, much less invasive...if this is something you've not come across yourself and are interested, let me know...I may still have a few bookmarks.

Subject: RE: Guitarists and Dupuytren's
From: Sooz
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 09:39 AM

As this isn't a particularly rare condition, I thought there were be more experiences to share!

Subject: RE: Guitarists and Dupuytren's
From: Sooz
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 01:55 PM

Thanks for those kind words Andy.
You are right about recurrence (sp?) the op next month is on a little finger that was straightened about 4 years ago. It is about 17 years now since the first surgery and it seems like a recurring bad dream!

Subject: RE: Guitarists and Dupuytren's
From: Mark Ross
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 11:10 AM

Utah Phillips has been suffering from this for years. He's had 2 operations to correct the problem. You should try and talk to him.
The operations seem to have been successful. His biggest problem with the condition was that because of his heart problems he has to take blood thinners, so the surgeon was very insistent on his stopping the medication before the operation.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Guitarists and Dupuytren's
From: GUEST,cc
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 11:06 AM

I've got it also - left hand. No surgery yet, am remaining able to hyperextend but also must be very judicious in amount of playing I do. The worse is playing narrow steel strings. Classical is much more friendy for me.

Subject: RE: Guitarists and Dupuytren's
From: GUEST,andy
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 10:59 AM

Sooz
Regarding Dupuytrens, I know something of this condition cos I have it. I'm not a guitarist of Mr Sooz's calibre but I do try a bit now and again.The thing to remember is that the condition is never quite cured, and it can re-occur in the same fingers. The medics don't like operating on the same fingers again and again, something to do with the scarring, nerve damage and re-connecting the tiny blood vessels.I've had two ops.on the little fingers of both hands and they're back to where they were before the ops. despite wearing splints night and day and having plenty of post-op. physio. The surgeons (mine at least) seem to have the opinion that as long as the condition doesn't cause you great difficulty in normal day-to-day circumstances, just carry on regardless! A further alternative offered was to have the offending digit/s removed altogether! Not good for a guitarist! However, some seem to fare better than others and I can only hope that Mr. Sooz does better than I have.                Regards    Andy

Subject: Guitarists and Dupuytren's
From: GUEST,Sooz (at work)
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 03:43 AM

Any guitar players out there like to share their experiences with Dupuytren's Contracture?
Mr Sooz is scheduled for surgery next month (we have lost count of the number of previous operations).