Had a 30 degree contracture of my ring finger last August. Had one injection with Xiaflex and the next day my finger was completely straight! Unfortunately the collagenase ruptured the pulley ligaments attached to the tendon and my finger progressively contracted over 3 months to a severe 110 degrees. The MRI clearly shows the pulley fibers pulled away from the tendon. The surgeon suggests fusing my joint so that I won't have flexion in the PIP joint, but will at least be able to put a glove on! Will no doubt need a skin graft as well. Has anyone had an experience like this with Xiaflex? And what was the treatment? JK

My PIP joint is now in complete contracture since 8/5/13 after the first Xiaflex treatment. I have visited 4 hand surgeons who have different ideas on what to do...meanwhile the contracture progressed to it's most severe flexion. The MRI shows the pulley tendons were ruptured ( a potential side effect of Xiaflex). I have no pain, but have numbness and tingling and the finger gets cold - sign of nerve compression. I could opt for a fusion of the PIP joint, or go for a more complicated surgery involving removing the diseased tissue, straightening the finger and then having a "Digit Widget" anchored into the bone for up to 12 weeks to maintain the straightened finger. They will use a tendon in my wrist to make new pulleys. Skin grafts will be necessary. The surgery is expected to last 2-3 hours - outpatient. Google "Digit Widget" - this dreadful looking apparatus will be my companion over the coldest months of the year. Burrr... No gloves for me!

Janet