Rock climbing link to Dupuytren's disease

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Are you guys talking about Dupuytren's contracture?
It's not really a disease (in terms that most people think of a disease) as it is not contagious. It's basically like a type of RSI.

My Mum had one and she was a Physio (she hasn't done any climbing or building work).

She had an op to sort hers out. Her hand is fine now. If your Dupuytren's contracture is getting worse it might be best to go to your GP to see what they can do before things get too bad.
 
bobkatebob said:
Are you guys talking about Dupuytren's contracture?
It's not really a disease (in terms that most people think of a disease) as it is not contagious. It's basically like a type of RSI.
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Thanks for clearing that up.
Now RSI, there's another one........
 
Sorry for the intrusion - noticed this discussion and thought I'd throw some things out for info -

I have early DC - a single lump in one hand with some evidence of tissue thickening. While hereditary, I believe that mine was "kicked off" by some hand surgery for a broken thumb as it appeared shortly thereafter. There seems to be a link between DC and the healing process - which may be the climbing connection. It's also why the radical surgery often causes it to come back worse that before the surgery.

Surgery is one option. A rather new option is needle aponevrotomy where the cords are broken up and the fingers released (advanced DC causes the smaller fingers to curl in). Check out www.handcenter.org. The latest and greatest news is an injectable enzyme treatment that is in stage 3 clinical trials and is showing great promise. The treatment simply dissolves the tissue buildup. Google Auxilium Pharmaceuticals and AA4500 for info. Hopefully, the drug comes to market soon.

Cheers.
 
AA4500 is collagenase. Injections of it are not aimed at removing the scarred tissue, they are aimed at creating breaks in cord formations just like NA does mechanically. Although it sounds good superficially I am highly sceptical that it will be better for climbers than NA. As collagenase breaks down collagen, injections of it into the hand extremely close to pulleys and tendons (which are made to a large extent from collagen) is a very risky business.
 
Had a brief look into this, thanks for reminding me BJ. There's only one article I have seen directly assessing Dupuytren's with climbing, which is the one we're talking about. I'm still not sure about their conclusion that
CONCLUSIONS: This study further strengthens the hypothesis that repetitive trauma to the palmar fascia predisposes to the development of Dupuytren's disease in men.
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LIST of more applicable papers- again, nothing concrete. :shrug: Mikkelsen did note an increase incidence of DC in patients with recurrent palmar trauma, way back in the day. Fairly good samlpe size but I haven't read the full article so I can't comment in depth.

BonJoy, there's a fair few articles on your percutaneous needle fasciotomy, seem OK results from what I've read so far. Recurrence is high as I said before, but that's nothing new.
 
Just had a session down the wall, and it's the first time it's actually bothered me during a session. Bugger. Guess it's pulling on big jugs, which i don't normally do outside.

So does it seem now that Glucosamine is a bad idea? I am sure in a thread on this subject a while back (which i can't find now?) indications seemed that it was a good idea?
 
No evidence it helps, and it's aimed more at joint problems etc. BUT, it may be worth a go. Your problem is the bilkiness of the tissue which is susceptible to irritation eg when using jugs. I suspect nothing will help that, apart from avoiding jugs at the wall. Give it a try and see :shrug: Let us know. [takes a while to have any effect remember]
 
Want to find out how progressed my symtoms are relative to others

1) 2 obvious lumps in RH, 2 less obvious in LH- RH have been there for atleast 3 years/LH for about 1
2) Little impact on climbing- except indoors on one particular hold/problem (avoiding it)
3) Have been waking in the morning recently with numb, tight/contracted fingers (little and ring)-this could optimistically be to do with sleeping on my RH or just that I have been training on crimps too much. Within 5 mins after waking its fine

Anyone actually know of someone with serious symtoms and how long this took to develop?

Or someone who has had an operation on it and its effectiveness?
 
Sounds similar to my condition after 3 years. I've had for 7 year and I don't have any contracture to speak of, although there's plenty of nodules. I can't put my hand properly flat on a table on my right or bend fingers back beyond straight, but they all still straighten out fully and climbing is fine except for dynos which are painful and some slopers. I used to get numbness in the last two fingers but assumed this was due to ulner nerve impingement related to my sleeping posture.
 
Saw my Dad last night, and noticed he has it is his right hand (same as mine). Never knew before, guess the inheritance thing is true then! He reckons he's had it at least ten years, hasn't really climbed in that time though he does a lot of sailing, guess the rope handling might affect? It doesn't bother him anyway, which makes me feel better. Its not as advanced as Bonjoy's though. Hopefully my left will follow his and never be affected either.
 
Mine is about an inch long, halfway between little and ring fingers, and extenidning from "lifeline" on palm downwards. Now got a wierd callous forming on the top end. Doesn't restrict movement at all.

Maybe we should start a thread "Quality Dupuytren's pics"?
 
SA Chris said:
Mine is about an inch long, halfway between little and ring fingers, and extenidning from "lifeline" on palm downwards. Now got a wierd callous forming on the top end. Doesn't restrict movement at all.

Maybe we should start a thread "Quality Dupuytren's pics"?
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Erm thanks, but I don't want to see photos of you one incher thanks.
 
FYI

Just been to see specialist (Mike Hayton) about my Dupuytren's. He confirmed it was early onset and said he would only operate when i couldn't put my hand flat on the desk. He echoed bonjoy's comments about the enzyme injection and said its difficult to get hold of someone who would do it and its expensive and not available on private heathcare either.

So now thoroughly in the knowledge that i am of viking descent anyone know a good horned hat shop?





Cheers
tim
 
Did he mention the Radiation therapy for the initial stages?
 
Hi Ru,
knew someone was going to mention that. I forgot to ask him about that specifically however i did say i was keen to get it sorted whilst i wasn't able to climb and he didn't volunteer the procedure on private. So maybe it isn't available or on the list of approved treatments. Or maybe they only treat it as worthy of operation when its acute.




Cheers
Tim
 
timb said:
So now thoroughly in the knowledge that i am of viking descent anyone know a good horned hat shop?
Click to expand...

No, but I'm up for a spot of pillaging if anyone else is keen to join in.

Erik?
 
Whilst researching this I came across a possible link with Vitamin c supplements, which I coincidentally have been taking the last 6 months. Have since stopped...
 
Johnny Brown said:
Whilst researching this I came across a possible link with Vitamin c supplements, which I coincidentally have been taking the last 6 months. Have since stopped...
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Well for me personally i don't think this could be a contributing factor as i have not taken these for ages. I am however taking them now for other reasons but for 6 months before it first appeared and for a month after it was most obvious i wasn't popping any vit c pills or those soluble fizzy drinks.

Cheers
Tim
 
Johnny Brown said:
Whilst researching this I came across a possible link with Vitamin c supplements, which I coincidentally have been taking the last 6 months.
Click to expand...

The only two supplements i evert take are Vitamin C and Glucosamine Sulphate. Now find either (or both) can be responsible. Bugger.
 

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