Viking ancestry?

[Zen rabbit]

I have a medical condition known as Dupuytren's contracture caused by connective tissue in the palm thickens. This can result in one of more finger becoming bent towards the palm. My father has the same condition so I did a little research and discovered that it is thought to be genetic in origin and introduced to the UK by the Vikings. I would love to know which of my family lines brought that with it.

[KGarrad]

It's reasonably well known, although not common, on the Isle of Man!

A former Viking Kingdom, of course

[lemur41]

Hi

I was also diagnosed with Dupuytren's nearly 2 years ago, and I was told then about the genetic disposition from the Vikings

 My paternal Grandfather had it also, and was one of the 1st patients on the new  NHS in 1948 who had surgery. He couldn't afford it before then.

His family lines go back generations ( maternal)  in Northumberland , Durham & North Yorks,
(paternal) in Warwickshire & Worcs.

It's more common in men than women

[Mike in Cumbria]

I would think that, by now, everyone in the north of England, and probably in the south too, has some degree of Viking ancestry.

Mike

[Erato]

My father has it and he was told it is common among those with Irish ancestors [plenty of them in our family].

[davidft]

Dupuytren's contracture is a non-specific affliction, but primarily affects:
•   People of Scandinavian or Northern European ancestry; it has been called the "Viking disease" or "Celtic hand", though it is also widespread in some Mediterranean countries (e.g., Spain and Bosnia) and in Japan.

 "Age and geographic distribution of Dupuytren's disease (Dupuuytren's contracture)". Dupuytren-online.info. 2012-11-21.

[jbml]

I have a friend who makes hand-made historical shoes for re-enactment, museums and so on. She works from precise foot measurements and shape drawings, rather than generic lasts, so each shoe or boot is a perfect fit for the wearer (and very comfortable they are, too).

She says that Viking-descended feet and Anglo-Saxon descended feet have very different, and distinctive, shape profiles.

[clayton bradley]

There has recently been a discussion on Dupuytren's on the facebook page for I-M253, claytonbradley

[Hinso]

I have a friend who makes hand-made historical shoes for re-enactment, museums and so on. She works from precise foot measurements and shape drawings, rather than generic lasts, so each shoe or boot is a perfect fit for the wearer (and very comfortable they are, too).

She says that Viking-descended feet and Anglo-Saxon descended feet have very different, and distinctive, shape profiles.

How does she know who is 'Viking-descended' or 'Anglo-Saxon-descended' a thousand years after these supposed ethic groups disappeared into the wider mix?