I think it is hard to get your answer here, because most patients on this site are trying to find an alternative to surgery. I've spent a lot of time looking for answers for my husband, and feel blessed to have found info on NA as opposed to surgery.

Maybe it is because patients who go to their primary provider are then referred to a surgeon who is in the network, and never look for a better answer. They trust that their helath care provider is making the best diagnosis for them, so they find no reason to "investigate" alternatives. I can tell you that out of ALL the sites I visited ( I spent weeks) I can't remember finding one patient who said that they were glad they had the surgery. To the contrary, it takes only seconds to find patients who praise NA and who are truly greatful for having chosen the NA.

I finally convinced my husband (10 years after the lumps starting appearing and 5 years after his fingers started to bend) to seek advice. Our primany provider referred us to a hand surgeon, who recommended surgery asap. No one mentioned NA to us. Thank goodness we found NA information on the internet.

My husband had the surgery last Thursday (June 28, 2007) and held my hand for the first time in 2 years, without having to manually manipulate our fingers together!! He did not get the 100% recovery he wanted, but he had let it go to long. He hates doctors and hospitals (which is why he let it go so long) so I was surprised when he said that if therapy doesn't doesn't give him 100%, he is willing to go back for a follow-up. Dr. Kline stated before the procedure that my husband probably wouldn't get 100%, due to the severety of the contracture. After Dr. Kline started the he found that my husband had a small yeast infection in the crease of his nuckle. This was due to the fact that the finger was bent so far closed, that it wasn't getting washed and dried properly.

We still have a way to go, but my husband is very happy with the results !

I think you are doing the right thing to investigate. I hope you find a website for surgery patients so you can get some feedback. Dr. Kline gave my husband contact info for five or six of his past patients, to help my husband make his decision. I wonder if the surgeon you are referred to would do the same? That would probably give you a better idea of what decision to make.

All we can say is to get it taken care of sooner than later, for the best results. Sandie

You might also try Dr. Prosper Benheim at UCLA, Los Angeles, as it's less than half the distance to Los Angeles from Las Vegas as it is to the bay area.

He performed my NA procedure the end of March. I was very impressed by the care I received, and am still very happy with the result.

Dear Greg,

I recently found your posting regarding Dupuytren's treatment. I am a board certified hand & upper extremity surgeon located in Las Vegas. If you are still looking for a hand surgeon in the Las Vegas area who offers both traditional open, limited open, and percutaneous treatment of Dupuytrens please visit my site for more information. www.DoctorGrabow.com

Sincerely,

Ryan J. Grabow, MD

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Thank you Sandie for taking the time to respond.

My situation sounds similar to your husband's, though I suspect that my contracture was not as much as his was. I, also, did not achieve 100% extension in my pinkies. It has been 1 1/2 years since my Needle Aponeurotomy and I am delighted with the results. My right hand looks much like it did soon after the NA. I see no progression there,...so far. My left hand was the more difficult one and the pinky was slightly bent after NA. In that hand I see a slight increase in the contraction. Dr. Denkler had recommended that I receive another cortizone injection and I am six months overdue in getting that one.

I have not yet found a local surgeon who is familiar with needle aponeurotomy. I am inclined to see at least one, if only to expose them to the results of NA. (I now have some insurance.) I think I will plan to return to CA to see Dr. Denkler. He is not in my insurance plan but the cost difference is not dramatic and I trust him.

Dr. Denkler himself mentioned the possibility that I might eventually seek open hand surgery for my pinkies only. That might be something your husband will want to consider. The trick is finding a surgeon who will work with NA as part of the solution.

I urge your husband to take care of his hands and avoid any percussive blows to the palm. I did carpentry for some time and became an expert in mechanic's gloves and other work gloves. I now wear gloves whenever I work with any hand tools, particularly power tools. The best ones have extra padding on the palm. He should also use lotion to keep the skin supple and healthy. Vitamine E fortified lotion is good. So is vitamine E taken orally.

I play guitar, mandolin, and a few other instruments. The NA has been a great blessing in this regard. It has also helped me to attend social dances without embarassment. I used to play hand drums but had to give that up because of the dupuytren's. (I think striking the drums with my hands was the primary reason the dupuytren's was expressed in my hands. My father did not have the problem.) I now play drums only with sticks and I wrap the sticks with padded material.

Good luck to you.

Greg McKenzie

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