Does glucosamine and chondroitin aggravate or cause Dupuytren’s contracture?

I read that glucosamine and chondroitin makes Dupuytren's contracture worse.  Is that true?  I have it in my hands, as does my mother and we both stopped taking glucosamine and chondroitin because of what I read.  Should we go back on it?

Valerie Kurokawa

Greetings Valarie,

The question about the association between glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and Dupuytren's contracture occasionally arises.  I can tell you that i have not found any clear and compelling research into this area on which to base an opinion, so the best I can do is fall back on what makes sense and what I have read over the years about the experience of others with Dupuytren contracture when taking  glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

I have read on various Dupuytren's forums that people who have DC report that when taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for osteoarthritis that their hand lumps and cords become thicker and their hand mobility is worse.  Further, they also report after stopping the glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements that their hands improve.   Of course all of this is greatly anecdotal, but most of the good things we do to help Dupuytren contracture are anecdotal in nature because we lack the kind of research we would like to have and rely on common sense and observations of cause and effect.

 While I do not have a solid answer to give you, I suggest it would be prudent for you and your mom to find a better way to help your arthritis problem  that using  glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.  TRH

Did my Dupuytrens and Peyronies start from hand trauma?

hello –

at 43 yrs old, i had no Peyronies symptoms. i injured my hand, and it required surgery to insert a couple of screws. when the cast was removed, i noticed a bump in the palm of my hand. about a month later, i noticed Peyronies plaques/scarring.

my primary care physician diagnosed me with Dupuytrens and Peyronies.  have you ever heard of this being triggered this way? i don't think it was a coincidence – not sexually active – no trauma occurred in that area. i had extensive swelling in my arm immediately after surgery from a nerve block that was used, and i can't help but think that might have played a role. my primary care doctor thinks the surgery triggered some sort of systemic fibromatosis condition.

wondering what your thoughts are on this. this occurred 3+ yrs ago, and there really has been no change.

thank you

 

Greetings,

Yes, I have heard of this sudden and widespread type of onset in which both Dupuytren contracture and Peyronies disease start at the same time from trauma.  In a few cases the trauma was to the upper extremity and once to the penis.  You might also have developed these two problems due to drug side-effects.  Since you did not mention your drug intake history I can only speculate, but there are certain medications that are know to cause both DC and PD; certain blood pressure, tranquilizer and a few other categories of medication can trigger a similar systemic fibromatosis.

If you have not noticed any change in three years with either problem you probably will within a short time since both conditions are progressive, although the rate might be slow.

Your real concern at this time should be directed toward elimination of these problems.  Please review the DCI and PDI sites for Alternative Medicine treatment options to increase your  ability to heal and repair these tissue changes.   TRH