Jennifer,

I have both Dupuytrens and Ledderhose and completed the first series of five radiation treatments on April 28, 2007, and, so far, have not experienced any side effects. The pain in my feet has lessened, but have not noticed any change in my hands. I am receiving my treatment in Erlangen Germany, everyone is very nice, and overall it is a fairly simple process. I return for the second series of treatments in June.

When I mentioned my plan for treatment in Germany to my USA doctor, she said it was a great idea.

Where in Germany will your receive your treatment?

Diane

Jennifer,

In response to the comments of your doctor I would take any such opinions which are not based on any solid documentation the doctor can provide, with a very large grain of salt. Doctors' opinions with regard to areas outside their expertise seem to be no better than that of anyone else. Inside their supposed area of expertise they often have a closed mind about alternative treatments.

There are risks with radiotherapy but they are no greater than for driving your car to work. To minimize the risk of any procedure, AMA and government studies show that the majority of complications come from hospitals and doctors performing the fewest number of operations. The clinics and doctors with the most operations performed in a year are more experienced and have better judgment and are far less likely to cause problems for their patients. That is why I went to the time and expense to go to Essen.

Doctors in the former Soviet Union countries had few medical resources in most instances and used radiotherapy far more frequently than would be the case in other parts of the world. This was sometimes negative as with the efforts to treat ringworm with radiation, but nonetheless they developed a much large body of knowledge on the benefits from radiation for a wide range of medical problems.

Dr. Denkler is a certified hand surgeon whom I respect very much but he failed to note the many areas where the disease was active on my right hand which had a slight contracture. When my hands were examined by Dr. Seegenschmiedt he noted that my right hand with the more mild contracture actually had more areas with damaged tissue than my left hand which had the 35 degree contracture.

As you are doing the radiotherapy to prevent further progression of the mutating cells, there is no benefit to areas where the disease has fully progressed and there is DC and scarring. I had the radiotherapy to halt the spread of the disease to more of my hands' skin tissue and limit the need for future surgery or mechanical or chemical interventions.

In terms of scarring it is interesting to note that radiotherapy is being successfully used to prevent the development of large scars after plastic surgery is performed (as with breast reductions for example). So it is not illogical to see benefits from following a NA or open surgery procedure with radiotherapy.

Bruce

Hi Bruce, I guess you are already back to the US. I myself just returned home after having vacation. I was at the North sea with two weeks of sun shine and no rain, quite unusual. Global warming seems to have its upsides.

Regarding your lotion: I guess any fatty lotion that it good for your skin will do. If you naturally have fatty skin you might not need anything.

Did you enjoy your trip, besides seeing Krupp hospital?

Wolfgang

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I have just completed the first set of radiotherapy sessions in Essen. Although Professor Seegenschmiedt recommended a lotion for my hands I have not been able to find it here in Germany.

Does anyone have any recommendations for lotions availabe either in Germany or elsewhere?

Thanks,

Bruce

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I just wanted to write that I am home from Essen, Germany. I had 5 radiation treatments. It was a very possitive experience. Everyone there in the Clinic were very kind and helpful. I will be going back in September to finish my treatments. I would recommend this for anyone in the early stages. I just hope it works.

Jennifer

Hi Again-
I mistakenly replied to one of Jennifer`s earlier posts-but no worries-the second series of radiotherapy was as easily tolerated as the first-so far the treatment seems effective.I`m going back for an assessment first week of Sept.To my mind,Radiotherapy is the preferable first treatment for Dupuytren`s-it avoids the evident pitfalls of cutting the hand and the associated exacwerbation of the condition.Thankyou Essen and Germany to keep this treatment option alive.