Has anybody has experience of fingers slowly curling please?
I am quite worried about this and do exercises every day... the skin over the backs of my hands and arms is really tight and hard.
I obviously am worried about loosing the use of my fingers ... any experience of this here please ?
Thank-you.
Bruffingtons
Yes that's me too. I get a lot of pain too in those joints. Not much you can do really. Struggling to knit now which is disappointing.
What you describe is like Dupuytren's contracture. I had the operation on my left hand which helped up to a point. My right hand never got any worse so just left it as it is. If you can't put your palm flat on a table that's probably it.
Hi - I am not sure that what Mylreaclairelee is describing is Dupuytren's. There is no known cause, so it's not related to scleroderma. It's sometimes called Viking's disease. My grandmother had it and had little and ring fingers on both hands removed. She didn't have scleroderma. My 32 yr old son also has it but has been told that if it becomes a problem the tendons can be loosened through an operation. At the moment it's not causing any issues but the hardening tendons are visible in his palms. I don't have scleroderma (I'm here for the Raynuad's and RD) but I think the tightening described is the skin on the backs of the hands from scleroderma?
Yes - this happened to me when I had Scleroderma over 40 years ago. Not many drugs were available then but I was treated with Penicillamine. My left hand is now totally normal but the fingers of my right hand are still quite bent. I have adapted to this though and there is very little I have difficulty with . I can knit, sew, write etc. - the only thing I can’t do is wear rings on my right hand.
yes, my middle one on both hands is bending in. I saw a hand therapist, who told me too make sure i didnt let it bend too far, as surgery could be done if they werent too bad
yes stated a few weeks ago. I cant anything to heavy with my right hand even a plate.
Yes that's also me.
Mine too! I believe UVA light treatment can help the skin soften n the hand open but the nearest treatment centre to me is over 100 miles away n think you need it at least 3 times a week for so long. Might be worth asking if anywhere near you tho.
Dupuytren’s Contraction.
I was diagnosed on my right hand, my little finger & ring finger. I had a painful lump at the base of my hand below these fingers.
Exercises recommended and I massaged the painful lump daily which has now disappeared completely. My Two fingers are straight and no further problems.
Exercises to stretch the ligaments very important, daily.
Good luck.
Hi, I have been diagnosed with it in the same area. My Dr said there was nothing I could do and my fingers will completely bend over (she helpfully said I will find it very difficult to get gloves on at work! - I work in care so use them constantly). Could you please share the exercises that you do as I'm desperate to avoid my fingers curling.
Hello MissShapesI've cut & pasted my response to KathleenMary below in my reply to you, you may well see my reply to Kathleen, I'm not a whizz on this system so don't know if you can see my reply to her!
Here goes:
Basically at least once a day I have to vigorously:
- massage the ligaments that go from the base of my palm up to my two fingers, whilst stretching, & flexing my fingers
- I also push my two fingers backwards, so it stretches them away from my palm, hold them in this position for several seconds, several times
- the painful lump appeared first, I press quite hard on this & massage it, even though it is no longer painful there is still a small lump there
My GP said injections can be given into the ligaments if they get very contorted, the injection somehow "dissolves" the ligament (I think, don't quote me on this, I may have misheard)
Good luck.
Thank you for taking the time to post that information, it gives me hope that it's not too late to do something! At the moment I just have the painful lump but it's gotten bigger. Thanks again 😀
I too have very bent fingers can't wear any rings. - Have had surgery on one finger for Dupuytren’s twice but it didn't work and that finger is now fixed in a bent position and haven't seen a rheumatologist for over two years so cant get any treatment. can you tell me where I can find the exercises for fingers referred to?
Sorry I don't log into HealthUnlocked often so missed your post.Basically at least once a day I have to vigorously:
- massage the ligaments that go from the base of my palm up to my two fingers, whilst stretching, & flexing my fingers
- I also push my two fingers backwards, so it stretches them away from my palm, hold them in this position for several seconds, several times
- the painful lump appeared first, I press quite hard on this & massage it, even though it is no longer painful there is still a small lump there
My GP said injections can be given into the ligaments if they get very contorted, the injection somehow "dissolves" the ligament (I think, don't quote me on this, I may have misheard)
Good luck.
Thank you so much will try this
Thank-you everyone for your helpful suggestions.I don't have any white lumps on my hand, but will do the
palm ligament exercise.
Look up The Association of Hand Therapists (UK) as you
may find one in your area at a hospital ... or may be worth
seeing privately (very worth it for our hands) for some exercises
and guidance.
Was told that UV dries the skin which we are told we shouldn't
let happen. I saw a good video I cannot find on this blog/site..
Was looking at it yesterday ... very helpful and a bit grim in places
but honest description.
Maybe we can form a Hands Club section!?
x Keep warm and get some sleep if you can.... ha ha
Bruff
Prominent veins on fingers
Finger infections with secondary raynauds
Fingers turning red and swollen
Raynauds persistent blue finger tip
