Tigerplay,

I remember a while back someone using a Dr. Robert Francis in Hendersonville for NA. Could he be part of the same practice? Since I live near Charlotte I kind of keep my ears open for Doctor's who treat DD in NC.

Lori

Tigerplay,

A thread from KayMcIlmoil said she had used Dr. Francis. If you use either the search forum or registered users you can find her email and ask how it went. She was the one who posted about him. If I spelled her name wrong just use the search forum and enter Hendersonville and her thread will appear. I know how you feel about wanting a little feedback. When I found Dr. Crimaldi for my RT, no one had used him and there was no information about him. When I talked to him he semed to know what he was doing and when I met with him I was immediately convinced he could do the job. It was a good decision but also a leap in faith.

Hang in there and keep us posted as to your progress.

Lori

If he worked with Dr. Eaton, I would say he knows his stuff.

Good luck!

Hi Guys!

I am so sorry that I haven't gotten back to you before now. Tigerplay - I know that you are going tomorrow and I wish you great results!
I will try to be as honest and complete as I can with my experience.
Needless to say - I was very nervous. I had watched all of the YouTube videos (which really just made me even more nervous - don't like needles) However; my desire for correction was greater than my fears. I arrived at Dr. Napoli's office 30 minutes early to fill out new patient forms. The Dr's staff was very warm and accomodating. Dr. Napoli came in to examine my hands and stated that I was a good candidate for NA. He said that he had another proceedure to do and that I should come back in 1 hour and decide which hand I wished to do first. (Both hands effected) As I am right handed and my left hand was a bit worse, I chose to do the left first. That way I wouldn't be as inconvenienced with daily chores and writing.
We began by marking with purple pen - the entry sites. He used a local anesthetic (I can only describe it as a sting from a Japanese Hornet) That was by far the most unpleasant part of the experience. You receive a "sting" at each entry point throughout the process. It doesn't quite act like novocaine as you can still feel it enough to be able to tell the Dr. if he is getting near to a nerve. (only did a couple of times, felt like an electric shock)

The two most effected fingers were my index and pinky. One small cord to ring finger, completely gone. My index finger was improved from a 60* to and 80*, much better though not completely straight. My pinky from a 20* to a 40* still more than halfway bent over. The whole thing took about 2 hours.

I asked Dr. Napoli how many proceedures he had done and he told me about 20 (he did train with Dr. Eaton) I asked him if he had encountered anyone with as bad a case as mine and he said maybe one, but I was right there as one of the worst.

Bottom line - He said that I would probably acheive better results with surgery (I'm not interested) and also that his feelings would not be hurt if I wanted to travel to see Dr. Eaton - that he had corrected some fingers that Dr. Napoli thought could not be done. I may consider that for future.

If I had it to do over would I? Yes, I am happy with the improvement and will probably brave the pain to do the right hand with better expectations. I was hoping for straight fingers and didn't get that but I am thankful for the improvement.

I do hope that helps some in knowing what to expect. I liked Dr. Napoli and commend his honesty.
Tigerplay, I hope your dreams come true!!!

Hugs to all,
Lori

FYI

Over the past 3 years Dr. Eaton has done two N.A. on both hands....one was very difficult,as pinkie PIP was contracted 95 degrees....in any event he is by far the best Doctor I have ever encountered for any issue.
Both hands and fingers are still near perfect...with the exception of a couple of small nodules.
I wear spints on both hands each night.... they must be helping so I will continue..I think beyond keeping the fingers straight
the spints provide a level of rest for the hands and fingers.