Recently, I was diagnosed with a rare hand disorder called Dupuytren's Contracture. This disorder affects only 3 % of the population. It is common in people of Northern European decent (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, etc.). It usually affects men, people who drink and smoke too much, and those over 40.  I am over 40 and none of the rest. It also tends to be genetic although no one else in my family has it.

Dupuytren's Contracture is a fibrous tissue that grows in your palms and spreads outward to your fingers. If untreated, it pulls your fingers inward. You cannot straighten your fingers. There is no pain. It usually affects the little and ring fingers. I was diagnosed with it in my little, ring, middle fingers and my thumb. I had to have surgery or I would lose the use of my hand altogether.

About 2 months ago, I had surgery on my right hand. I was in a cast for 10 days then I needed hand therapy for 6 weeks. I had to file for short-term disability as I couldn't work. Because the surgery was on my right hand (my dominant hand), I had to use my left hand for every day activities, writing, and painting (for a while).

My hand was swollen and the scar was nasty. I was afraid I would never be able to paint again.  Never mind anything else! So, once my stitches came out, I gave painting a shot.

Since I paint watercolors, I have always torn the watercolor paper for smaller sheets. I have never painted a full sheet. I could no longer tear the paper, tape off the borders, or trace images onto the paper. I had to freehand it. I had to go loose.

So I decided I would paint large florals. I used full sheets, hand-drew the images (I used a grid), and used large brushes. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. So far, I have painted Blue Hydrangeas and Orange Nasturtiums. I intend to paint a collection of 5.

Surgery isn't the only option for this disorder. You can also get a needle treatment. But I found out that it wasn't covered by my insurance and my hand doctor doesn't do it. It's risky as it does not remove the tissue and it can grow back. I also found out that I needed another surgical procedure while I was under that the needle treatment woudn't have fixed. Later this year, the FDA ia supposed to approve a collagen treatment that is to be far less invasive.

For more information on Dupuytren's Contracture, please visit this web site. It is the most informative.

http://www.dupuytren-online.info/forum.html