Hi Dr. Herazy,

I am a 46 yr old white female who has had this hand problem for @10 yrs . My left hand (palm) has a large bump then right underneath that a section of straight bone-like section, about 2 yrs ago I developed a knuckle pad which is the same finger extending to the palm area. This pad can be moved but is painful at times very and swells larger some days.  My grandfather (on my moms side ) had dupys and my dad has dupys.  I went to an orthopedic  surgeon about the knuckle because of the pain and he said it was a ganglion cyst and wanted to drain it, now that I’ve read this I don’t believe that diagnosis.  This cause me pain the palm does not.  I am a Medical technologist for over 20 yrs doing a lot of repetitive hand movements which are now becoming more difficult, what do you suggest? 

Thank you,

Martha Burke

Greetings Martha,

It is certainly possible for someone with a family history of Dupuytren’s contracture to develop a hand cyst of some type.  As you describe your palm lump problem you do not create a clear impression that you have Dupuytrens contracture.  You do not mention inability to extend your involved finger, and you do mention the variable size of the swelling on your palm that changes from day to day; these factors are not like DC.

Since your orthopedist already gave you a diagnosis of a ganglion cyst, and you do not agree with that diagnosis, I suggest you do to someone you have respect for and ask for an examination and diagnosis.  This way you will have no doubt what you are dealing with.  TRH