Actually, if you have found this site, you have already started in the right direction.

The first thing to do before making any decision is to research every option you have. Unfortunately, most who suffer from this disease are referred to a surgeon and don't research what other treatments are available to them.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. My experience is that no one here has a personal agenda. Everyone here is just willing to share their experiences to help you make the right decision for you.

My experience is that you don't want to wait too long to make a decision. Most of the treatments, other than surgery, have a better outcome the earlier you get treatment.

God's speed. Sandie

Dyingbreed45,

I have not heard of going through the back side of the hand. Do you have nodules on the palm of your hand? Are they on the back of your hand? With the nodules and cords normally on the palm, I can't imagine going through the back of the hand.

Continue to do your research. I know that there is a video on Youtube.com with Dr. Kline performing the NA procedure. Just go to Youtube and search for Dupuytren's. Over the internet, I saw how the NA procedure was performed and the outcome, along with the rehab time (almost none). I also saw pictures on how the surgery is performed, the outcome and rehab time.

When I showed my husband everything I found, the easy decision was Dr. Kline, hands down! (no punn intended). With the NA, they go in just under the skin and tear/break the cords. There was absolutely no way my husband could straighten out his ring finger and pinky. By the end of the procedure, the doctor had his fingers straight. He then shot collagenase into the nodules in the palm. After a few days, he needed to wear splints on his fingers. The Dr. explained that the knuckles (the muscles and ligaments, etc.) are used to being bent, so it takes some time to get that straightened out. My husband actually enjoyed wearing the splints. He said it felt good after his fingers being bent over for so long. The nodules disappeared after a few days.

I just looked up the records and he had the NA performed June 2007. It seems longer. Before the procedure, he would show it to me everyday and tell me how embarrassing it was to shake hands, how he couldn't get gloves on, etc. He hardly mentions his anymore. He did show me that the nodules are starting to come back, so we will need to find out if he can get the collagenase injections in Denver.

The research I did clearly showed the extent of trauma to to the hand from the surgery. More so if they need to do a skin graph. The NA is much, much less trauma and some believe that trauma or stress is what causes the disease to get started. I also understand that due to scar tissue and healing, that you can not repeat the surgeries like you can the NA procedure.

I'm sure there are tons of pictures and videos to find out on the net. The web site for Dr. Kline, who is located in Boise, Idaho, is dupuytrenscenter.com. He actually had us send pictures to him and he used the pictures to determine if my husband was a candidate for NA. That saved us from having to travel to him to get a diagnosis or recommendation.

I'm anxious to see if anyone has had the surgery through the back of the hand. Hopefully, you will find someone who has and can tell you what they had to go through.

Good luck and God's speed. Sandie