polo:

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Taking the plunge for my first DC treatment. I'm 46, in West LA. I've got about 5% contracture on my right index with some involvement of the MP joint. I also have some nodules in my left hand, would rather deal with those later but just noticed one on my pinky PIP so a little concerned.

After a fair amount of review, pretty sure NA is the way to go for me for the cord. Cost being the primary driver, along with my progress being minimal so far and not aggressive. I also use my hands for work so can't have them out of commission for long.

In the process of picking a Dr. I'm sticking locally (although willing to go to La Jolla if its a big enough difference) I'm hoping some here have had experience with any of the following and can offer some experiential accounts, recommendations, warnings:

- Dr. Ross Nathan, Long Beach

- Dr. Prosper Benheim, Los Angeles (UCLA)

- Dr. Douglas Freedman, Santa Monica

- Dr. Prabhakar Tripuraneni, La Jolla (Scripps)


Thanks!

LubaM.:

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I live in the Los Angeles area...Of the four Drs. listed I have experience with two...

In 2006, I saw Dr. Benhaim. I only had a "consultation" with him for a badly contracted pinky PIP joint. When I saw him he didn't recommend NA for my situation and I personally felt I didn't get "personalized" attention at UCLA...it was "too big" for me and I opted to drive to Larkspur (near San Francisco) to see Dr. Denkler who back then was the most experienced doctor in the west coast.... I had a successful NA with Dr. Denkler, but had to repeat it in 2009 (Second NA on same finger was with Dr. Eaton in Florida). I highly recommend Dr. Denkler and Dr. Eaton.

In 2009, I saw and got treated by Dr. Tripuraneni with RT for my other hand (early stage DD) and left foot (LD). Highly recommend him and his staff, and encourage to get RT as early treatment for your left hand. The RT has stopped the progression of the disease, so far.

Larry:

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RT in La jolla is o.k, but they are not using the GERMAN concept of RT: 10 x 2Gy
instead of 5 x 3Gy (2 courses); In La Jolla people report good treatments, but the
group has not yet reported any clinical outcome results ... so its open discussion !

Larry

For what its worth I also live in the Los Angeles area. In November, 2006, I flew up to the SF Bay area (Larkspur) to have Dr. Denkler perform NA on my 90 degree contracted small finger PIP joint. The procedure was successful beyond my expectations and the overall experience with Dr. Denkler was first-rate.

I have also given consideration to RT in La Jolla but for various reasons (time, money, "inactive" DD....maybe) have not opted to explore that option all that seriously just yet.

Although I paid Dr. Denkler 100% up front, my BC POS insurance reimbursed me 100% of the cost, leaving me out of pocket only for airfare (my wife came with me), cab fare, and incidentals.

RT is considerably more expensive than NA ($700-800), so lining up insurance coverage is that much more of a factor.

LubaM.:

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@Mike S:

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For what its worth I also live in the Los Angeles area. In November, 2006, I flew up to the SF Bay area (Larkspur) to have Dr. Denkler perform NA on my 90 degree contracted small finger PIP joint. The procedure was successful beyond my expectations and the overall experience with Dr. Denkler was first-rate.

I have also given consideration to RT in La Jolla but for various reasons (time, money, "inactive" DD....maybe) have not opted to explore that option all that seriously just yet.

Although I paid Dr. Denkler 100% up front, my BC POS insurance reimbursed me 100% of the cost, leaving me out of pocket only for airfare (my wife came with me), cab fare, and incidentals.

RT is considerably more expensive than NA ($700-800), so lining up insurance coverage is that much more of a factor.

Mike,

You had NA with Dr. Denkler Nov. '06. I had my NA with him July '06, same finger PIP joint. Just curious.... What happened with your 90 degree contracture since then?

I had both cords and active nodules. I had NA done with Dr. Denkler first to flatten the hand and fingers. That worked. Then I had RT. I didn't know which to have first, but now think that was the right order or treatment. The hand really needs to lie flat for RT so it helped to have NA first for that reason.