DESPERATE!

[ilovemarkb]

My brother in law is devastated for his 25yr old daughter. Last February her 2 middle fingers of her right hand start curling up (claw like). It is extremely debilitating as she only has a pincer like grip, she can no longer drive (etc). In the last 14 month she has seen her GP, orthopedic, rheumatologist and a neurologist. All blood tests have come back normal. Her hand was manipulated open under anesthetic to have scans taken, but nothing was found and the hand has returned to a pincer like state. the other specialists cant find a cause. She is now waiting to see a limb doctor which should take another 12 weeks. The exact same thing is now happening to her left hand. Whats frustrating is that no one knows what it is, or where to go to for more expert help. Does anyone know anyone with similar symptoms? thanks Julie

[boxtops]

I have seen it in older people, I thought it was a form of arthritis.

[scotman]

It might be this

http://www.dupuytren-...rens_contracture.html

[boxtops]

I wonder also if it's Dupuytren's Disease http://www.livestrong...162268-hand-diseases/

If she is waiting to see a consultant I don't know what else to suggest - unless you go for a private consultation, which would be much quicker but would obviously be at a private price.

[ilovemarkb]

Just been doing a little research and dupuytren disease could be a possibility except her 2 outer fingers aren't affected its her index and middle fingers. thanks for replies. look forward to anymore suggestions.

[SizzleSquid]

this sounds neurological to me-there is something they are missing-not all tests can detect things gone wrong. people with severe disabilities have this problem -u know the people you see in wheelchairs with their hands curled up-whatever is causing that for them musy be causing that for her
what about ulner nerve entrapment? has to be something to do with this-google it, she shld try osteopathy, and manipulation to see of it relieves but if its starting to happen in the other hand then its not a physical problem with the original limb and sounds nuerological to me-let us knw how she gets on

[ilovemarkb]

i did explain to my brother in law that recently i had watched an austrailian hospital programme where a chap had accidently shot himself in the base of the palm with a nail gun.....his 3 middle fingers curled up because the nail had gone through a nerve. But once the nail was removed his fingers returned to normal....so maybe there is a link with the nerve!!! thankyou

[Sqad]

This is extremely odd......never heard of anything like it and all I can do is to tell you what it is NOT.......if that is any help:

It is NOT Dupuytren's Contracture
It is NOT a form of Arthritis.
It is NOT a Neurological Disorder.
It is NOT an Ulnar Nerve or any other nerve entrapment.

I will do some research, but cannot add anything further.....but keep us informed as it is very interesting.

[mike11111]

Good morning Sqad and a Happy Easter to you.

[Sqad]

mike and the same to you...weather a little unsettled in the Med, not as good as the UK.

[mike11111]

Well Whitley Bay must have moved to the Med as it's crap here, though I can actually see a little bit of sun for the first time in 4 days.

[Sqad]

I have given it further thought and I must say that I favour the point made by boxtops in that it MIGHT be a form of rheumatoid arthritis despite the normal blood tests.

keep us informed.

[RATTER15]

I have Dupuytren's Contracture, I doubt it very much that is the problem, it would be instantly recognised by any GP and it could not be straightened under anesthesia without causing a lot of damage.

[sara3]

if it's just the one hand that is affected, she could get adaptations fitted to a car to enable her to drive. people can drive with the use of only one hand.

[Sqad]

It's both hands.

[Wak]

Just a thoughtful suggestion from a non-medical person.
http://www.myoptumhea...arpal+tunnel+syndrome

[islasmum]

I've had carpal tunnel operations done on both hands, Wak and my symptoms weren't anything like that, my hands didn't claw, they just were tingly and painful. I wondered if it might be an extreme form of trigger finger?

[ilovemarkb]

thanks for all of your answers! will keep you posted! Hiya sqad, if anything else springs to mind please will you let us know. Would the GMC be able to do anything or assist us further? (as you can see we are quite desperate) julie x

[Sqad]

No, the GMC is a medical regulatory body, they are only concerned with complaints.

This is a difficult one ilove and you will have to try and be patient......difficult I know.

[ilovemarkb]

ok, thanks once again x

[SizzleSquid]

Squad-u cannot say what definately it is not without examining the patient first! are u a doc?