FLnative,

My surgery was from the base of my palm to the top joint of my little finger with 29 stitches. Pretty much textbook with four flaps (zig-zag incision). The surprising part was that there was almost no pain for the entire process.

Recovery time? I was golfing in three months, driving after three days and doing things one-handed for about three/four weeks.

Edited 07/28/13 03:50

Australia Calling, Hi T8 I forgot to say when you do your search "Research" open "Dupuytren Award" then at the bottom is link http://www.techcast.com/events/dgh-kongress/do03 . I also forgot to say I have had repeat surgery on some of the dupuytren's. In 2007 I had radiotherapy in Germany by Prof Seegenschmiedt . This option is now available in OZ. You will find the surgeon does not release the tendon they sever the cord which causes the contraction. I would again look at NA. Carpal Tunnel has nothing to do with dupuytren however the surgery can retrigger the dupuytrens. I think you can do your own Physio . The flexing of the fingers ,as playing the piano helps to reduce the swelling and keep the hand elevated are important factors. Regards.

Edited 07/28/13 13:20

Try phoning the Mater Hospital and explain you would like to speak with an oncologist who has an interest in the treatment of benign conditions ie Dupuytrens. I have spoken to Dr Borg in Adelaide and he has since listed on this site. It seems that your trigger finger surgery has "triggered" Dups. The repeat surgeries time frame for me varied ,as I said I have had many surgeries and the time frame got shorter and shorter between each surgery. The last was in June 07 and within 4 weeks my hand developed numerous nodules adjacent to the surgery and also on the index of the other hand. It was then by luck I found the Dupuytren Society and visited Prof Seegenschmiedt in Germany. I am now having a problem with the area of surgery in 07. You mentioned that you have contracture in the middle finger. During a conversation with a Dr in Perth he was of the belief that when a patient developed Dupuytrens in the middle finger they would eventually develope diabetes. I have the disease in all but the middle fingers and no sugar -interesting. Currently I am again in Germany. Finally there is a table top test you can do yourself by laying the hand palm up and measuring the contraction with a ruler of protractor. Regards

Edited 07/28/13 17:34

Thanks Newman and Callee, I considered contacting the Mater but didn't because they are so backed up with patients. My husband died while waiting for radiotherapy there because they are so overloaded. Still, there is no harm in giving it a try. As I said I see the Surgeon (Roland Hicks) on Wed and I shall be asking plenty of questions. I had honestly thought it was quite a minor operation with no future problems.

Like Callie, I had very successful surgery for DD about 14 years ago on my left hand. To this day, my hand is as good as perfect, and I have no complaints. However, unlike Callie, when I developed DD on my right hand about two years ago, surgery was not my first choice. I did not want to go through the expense, pain (unlike Callie, my surgery required months of rehab and pain), and risk, even though my surgeon did an excellent job on my left hand. I opted for Xiaflex injections for my right hand, wherein I got into a multi cord Xiaflex clinical trial. I have to say that the Xiaflex was not as successful, and after four months, my hand still causes me pain and stiffness, and my PIP is as straight as it's going to get at about 10-15 degrees. But, I think I would still go for another injection of Xiaflex over surgery if my PIP starts to contract some more. I just will never opt for surgery as my first choice, but that's just me. ~Diane