I should mention at this point that I am a PIANIST !!!!

I’ve worked all my life in music of one kind or another, as well as teaching not only the piano and music in our local state secondary schools, but also playing in bands – currently THREE BONZOS AND A PIANO.

The first inkling i had that something wasn’t quite right was over a year ago when the third finger of my RIGHT hand started to curve over – nothing too drastic and I was able to carry on using the hand as normal. At my doctor’s surgery, I was told it was probably arthritis and to come back in 3 months. So 3 months later and the finger is curving even more and I’m sent for an x-ray. The radiographer thought it could be DUPUYTREN’S DISEASE:

Dupuytren’s contracture – Health A-Z – NHS Choices

A few months later, approx one year ago in early 2012, MY LEFT HAND INDEX FINGER also began to curve. Naturally, I was becoming concerned as it was gradually having an effect on my pianistic skills – I could still manage most things but had seen pictures of more extreme arthritis in hands and was hopeful of a cure. My GP was not convinced it was Dupuytrens, especially in MY LEFT HAND, as he could feel some lumps in the palm of my hand near the base of my index finger. He thought it could be A GANGLION CYST:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Excisionofganglion/Pages/Introduction.aspx

EVENTUALLY, BOTH DIAGNOSES TURNED OUT TO BE INCORRECT!

Gradually, by late 2012 MY LEFT HAND INDEX FINGER had expanded till it was THREE TIMES THE SIZE (see photo):