Had open hand surgery to correct 3 fingers, together with skin graft, 14 months ago.
Suffered CRPS/RDS which was treated with steroids.
Fingers are still very stiff and I am still unable to make a proper fist although I can staighten them.
When attempting to make a fist it is quite painful.

Had consultation with the surgeon and he is telling me that the ligaments on the back of the hand appear to be free and working but the ligaments on the front of the hand have got stuck (to some sticky substance that the body produces. Can't remember the technical name) and that I am now unlikely to make further progress to full recovery without further surgery to release the ligaments.

I am not happy about further surgery and wonder if anyone has overcome this problem or knows how to treat this without further surgery.

Practical advice would be much eppreciated.

Hi, sounds like an unpleasant situation, though not so uncommon with severe Dupuytren's and open surgery from what I read. I'm sure your doctor is qualified but I would check to make sure:

- board certified with ASSH with CAQ (Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand)
- completed a fellowship focused on hand surgery
- limits practice to hand problems (or hand/wrist/elbow...)

If not, you might want to get a second opinion. Just my two cents.

Did the steroids clear up the CRPS?

Edited 09/02/10 02:58