Thanks newman for your assistance regarding the use of this forum. This is my first attempt to get interactive information regarding Dupuytren's. I have reposted my original question from Saturday. I live in Massachusetts and my surgeries have been done by a very well respected local doctor.



I am looking for information regarding successful treatment for scar tissue that has developed after a dupuytren's flare, which I experienced after surgery in June. I have had 2 operations on my non-dominant hand (zig zag cut). The operations were both performed on my first finger. The second surgery was extremely successful with total mobility returning.(The first surgery was successful, but I believe the Dr. who was older, missed some of the Dupuytren's. The first surgeon retired and his protegy did the next surgery.) My next surgical procedure took place this past June. This surgery was performend on my dominant hand, ring and baby finger. This surgery was much more involved than the prior two surgical procedures. The surgery allowed me to straighten both fingers post surgery. I did however develop a flare which slowed down the recovery process. I cannot straighten either finger at this time. The degree of bend in both fingers is actually worse than before the surgery. My Dr. says that the bend is caused by scar tissue and not dupuytren's. I am wondering if anyone has used any non-traditional techniques to treat their dupuytren's. I am especially interested in acupuncture.

I did go through two rounds of physical therapy with a hand specialist. They tried iontofarisis as well as untrasound and massage. I was given a series of exercises to perform as well. I was faithful to the exercises until recently.

Hello to everyone out there who suffers from DC or has had DC surgery. I had my (left pinky) Fasciectomy December 21st., '07...coming up on 3 months ! I have had numerous surgeries (I'm 54) but this was so painful ! I was faithful about therapy and positive thinking (feeling it couldn't get any worse!) when at 7 weeks, I felt the return of my finger again and the my life coming back to me as I knew it before. I was gripping a broom (exciting)and performing daily tasks without pain.

I can't say that I am without discomfort....my nerve involvement was extensive so it will be some time until I feel the end of my finger again but it is growing like a new life ! The scar feels like a 3rd degree burn still.....I keep it covered. I wear a splint at night or whenever I am doing nothing. My "table test" is perfect.

The deal with scar was not getting the stitches wet, keeping them in for 2+ weeks and then not getting the hand wet for another week. After that......keep it well nourished with HAND LOTION ! Too much vitamin E will make it TOO moist Massage, massage massage!! And, do the work. Therapy. 4 sessions should be enough for you to learn what you need to do at home.

I had a 45 degree contracture....PIP. NA was not for me. I, by the way, inherited this from my Grandfather.....

I wish you all well ! I love this site. I was so scared going into my surgery. Be sure you explore all options.

Are you overdoing the PT? I only went to PT twice after my surgery to get a night time splint. After that I did the PT on my own. I did mostly flex exercises constantly during the day. I kept the incision moist 24 hours a day with lotion. My healing went very well. Surgeon told me that PT by a PT is not necessary as long as a person will do it on their own. In my case he was right. Nine years later I am still having no problem with Dupuytren's.

thanks callie and newman for answering me.

about pt..... i was told months ago....before surgery...that i would be going to pt twice a week and then down to once a week after 4-6 weeks in addition to being expected to do the pt exercises at home each day. the pt place is upstairs from this orthopedic grp's offices.

with the addition of using a heating pad for the past week and putting vitamin e... and massaging.....on the site several times a day, i am feeling a bit better today but still in pain. the stiffness is quite severe, too ..... way worse than it was two weeks ago.....but that will improve with time, hopefully.

i did soak my hand in warm water first thing today and it seemed to help. will get some baking soda,yoo.

now.... just to let you know....... i am still supposedly wearing my splint 22 hours a day. only off for exercises, etc. i told the pt about 6 days ago that i felt that was part of the problem as its hurting me and making my fingers super stiff. anything touching the scars on my palm really makes it hurt. she made me a scar pad to help with this but it only very minimally helps..... and that might be for 10 min or so. so i'm not using it. will see her and maybe doctor on tuesday.

when i told her how much my hand/palm hurt on thurs., she told me i could stop wearing the splint so much..... and i could take it off for a few hours a day.

sounds like you guys got different instructions. when i read from newman to move the fingers as if playing the piano, i figured you got different advice. with my fingers rendered motionless with the splint on all the time, there was no way to move my fingers like that. but i've done so several times since yesterday and i must say that it helps a lot. i was told to wear the slint 24/7 for 6 full weeks.

i was also told after 2 weeks....when i had the stitches removed, that i no longer had to elevate my hand although i did so half the time..... hand on shoulder......because it felt better.

any other advice would be appreciated........ but your suggestions have already helped.

i would think that it is not unusual to have the scar hurt if pressure from fabric, a bandage or splint is put on it. especially if it's almost non-stop pressure.

did others have a flare reaction like me? callie..... i,too, thought i might be overding the pt at home so i cut back a bit about 4-5 days ago. keep in mind that i was doing well for almost 3 weeks when i developed this flare reaction. it's a real bummer. i feel like i am almost back to square one in the recovery process.

the pt told me they have no idea what causes a flare but that i didn't do anything wrong and it just happens once in a great while. my pt only works with hand patients and says i'm only the 2nd dupuytren's patient this has happened to in 12 years.

i feel better hearing from others who have actually had this surgery and have lived through the rehab. phase.

thanks sooo much and if yoou have any more advice, please send it along. your support and advice is more appreciated than you could know.

caseywolf

<<<<<< I kept the incision moist 24 hours a day with lotion>>>>

callie,

how did you do that? did you put lotion.....and what kind of lotion..... on a gauze pad or something? right now, i really have off the chart pain if anything touches my palm.....the two long scars. that wasn't the case two to three weeks ago. only since the flare reaction 6-7 days ago. also my hand is inflamed..... swelled and puffy on the top with puffed fingers..... as a result of the flare.....but swelling is coming down a bit in last day or two.

thanks