Kensington, MD, June 19, 2019 — In my last post I was sporting a white cotton glove Michael Jackson style on my left hand. It’s purpose was to keep my surgical wound clean and hide the stitches so they wouldn’t gross out people in restaurants.
The gloves are sold at drug stores and serve the purpose for which I use them better than bandages which is the alternative. I also cut the tips off the glove fingers for improved dexterity.
Regular readers are aware that this condition, Dupeytren’s Contracture, is a pain in my backside. Click for more info
Sometimes called “Viking Disease,” Dupuytren’s is found in people with northern European heritage. It is caused by a recessive gene. It’s presence in the general population is about five percent rising to around 30 percent in the Nordic countries.
I imagine the Vikings married their sisters back in the Fjords and then spread it everywhere they raided. Being primarily of English/Irish and Scandinavian heritage makes me a prime candidate.
This was as straight as I could make the fingers on my left hand which as had one previous surgery to release the thumb.
To date the treatment record includes six surgeries and four injections over 15 years. This condition comes with a lifetime membership and season tickets. It just keeps coming back.
Surgery was two-and-a-half weeks ago. Notice the straight fingers.
Stitches came out on day 10.
Found one we didn’t find when the rest of them came out. Dug it out with pointed tweezers.
In preparation for physical therapy a hot bag of clay is wrapped around the hand with a weight to help make the fingers as straight as possible.
I sleep in a molded brace at night to keep my fingers straight. During the day I do exercises to help them bend normally.
The prognosis is excellent. So good that I’m planning to run a string trimmer for a short time Saturday to clean up a small section of the AT that I was unable to finish weeding before surgery. Better yet, I’m meeting a ridgerunner for breakfast before that.
See you on the trail soon.
Sisu
Good that you gave the graphic warning. Some could be surprised. I was ok.
I’m glad your prognosis is good. You need a strong steady grip along the AT. Not safe without it.
The index finger outcome will be nearly 100 percent. The pinky about 90 percent which is normal. The really good news … I’m back to touch typing again. I hate pecking.
Hope your hand heals soon! The hoodlums need all the hands it can find this summer. Terry
On Wed, Jun 19, 2019 at 7:32 PM A fork in the road wrote:
> jim fetig posted: “Kensington, MD, June 19, 2019 — In my last post I was > sporting a white cotton glove Michael Jackson style on my left hand. It’s > purpose was to keep my surgical wound clean and hide the stitches so they > wouldn’t gross out people in restaurants. The glov” >
I’ll be back next trip.
Who took the photo of the stitches being removed? I know that could not have been taken by you with your other hand.
I did. It’s not that difficult. Moreover I’ve done it six times.
You are a pro at this …take no prisoners !! Best wishes in you recovery !
I can finally raise my arm over my head! I was told I could try kayaking…hand me my paddle !! Finish therapy in two weeks. Only been doing that for 9 months !
My wife is getting a shoulder replacement in the fall. Ouch!
that one will hurt. Hope all goes well.
The thing that is embarrassing the most is friends had to cut my meat when we go out, help tie my shoes once in a while and zip up my jacket, but first they would make fun of me. What a great bunch !!
She’s got me for that.
Wow – I had never heard of Dupeytren’s Contracture. Thanks for the post and for sharing the info. Hope you are healing well!
Two more weeks and back to normal.