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04/14/2017 00:29
snakes 
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04/14/2017 00:29
snakes
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Diagnosis at 35
Hello Everyone,
I am 36 years old. Almost 2 years ago I was diagnosed with DD. At the time I had a single nodule in my right hand, under my ring finger. Today I had an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon (I have been going in for check-ups every 6 months) and I now have 3 nodules, under the middle, ring, and pinkie. I am a little concerned as this seems to be progressing very quickly. I have 20 degrees of contracture. My doctor (he is a great doctor) told me that I could have the injection at this point, but that surgery would not be an option until 30 degrees.
Should I be worried? Are there benefits to the surgery versus the injection? From what I have read I am on the young side for this diagnosis. My doctor said he was "impressed" with the progression of the disease. Just looking for some advice from people who have been dealing with this for a while. In the grand scheme of things this is something I can live with, and there are a lot of people out there with much worse problems, but if there is anything I can do to slow this I would.
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04/14/2017 07:09
spanishbuddha  Administrator
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04/14/2017 07:09
spanishbuddha Administrator
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Re: Diagnosis at 35
snakes:
Hello Everyone,
I am 36 years old. Almost 2 years ago I was diagnosed with DD. At the time I had a single nodule in my right hand, under my ring finger. Today I had an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon (I have been going in for check-ups every 6 months) and I now have 3 nodules, under the middle, ring, and pinkie. I am a little concerned as this seems to be progressing very quickly. I have 20 degrees of contracture. My doctor (he is a great doctor) told me that I could have the injection at this point, but that surgery would not be an option until 30 degrees.
Should I be worried? Are there benefits to the surgery versus the injection? From what I have read I am on the young side for this diagnosis. My doctor said he was "impressed" with the progression of the disease. Just looking for some advice from people who have been dealing with this for a while. In the grand scheme of things this is something I can live with, and there are a lot of people out there with much worse problems, but if there is anything I can do to slow this I would.
Hi snakes
Sorry to hear your diagnosis. You mention nodules and a contracture but not a cord. It is the cord that pulls the hand and/or fingers closed, and which is treated in the earlier stages using Xiaflex or NA. We now recommend surgery is only done as a last resort, as although the results can be good,especially for severe cases, the recovery and risks for man out weigh the good cases. Your treatment path is get the hand straight, with NA or Xiaflex, and get a consultation with a radiologist for RT, as although you are quite young if your DD is progressing fast then RT would be a good option. An experienced doctor is very important for treating DD; where are you? We list some on the website.
There are some risk factors which may apply to you that you could look into and avoid. Start looking after your hands a bit, no need to baby them but don't use them as tools either. Some people claim relief from topical application of vitamin E or magnesium oils. Try these perhaps but have a pre-prepared budget limit or you'll break the bank on snake oil. There are reports of success with specific forms of massage for early cases which you could also look into. I hope the IDS website and forum has all the info you need. Let us know if you have further questions.
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