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08/01/2015 19:26
Broderbund 
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08/01/2015 19:26
Broderbund
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NA Treatment Question
Hi
I'm new to the site ....recently diagnosed and trying to learn all I can about DD.
I went to a highly regarded hand surgeon in Orlando .... He quickly diagnosed me with DD. I've got a nodule on the pip joint of my pinky finger with roughly 20 degree contraction. He told me I was not a candidate for injections due to the location of the nodule and that surgery was my my only option. Prior to the appointment I had no idea about NA ( not sure my Dr does either!) so would assume he was referencing Xiaflex when he spoke of injections.
I'm most certainly going to solicit a second opinion with a Dr with significant DD experience that performs NA procedures. Does the fact that I'm not a candidate for Xiaflex also exclude me from NA due to the location of the nodule on the pip joint or are they two very different things. The hand surgeon told me injections on the pip joint are not done due to likely tendon damage...
Any thoughts or help would be appreciated. I've located the name of Dr Veronica Diaz who apparently took over from Dr Eaton. I only live a few hours away so am going to try to get an appointment with her ...... Has anyone on e site had experience with Dr Diaz..?
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08/02/2015 05:57
wach  Administrator
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08/02/2015 05:57
wach Administrator
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Re: NA Treatment Question
Welcome to the forum! With a second opinion you are probably following the right route. Whether a bent finger is suitable for collagenase injection or NA is not a clearly defined Yes / No decision. I myself have a bent PIP joint and 4 years ago I was told that it is neither suitable for NA nor for injection. Then a doctor told me he woud try injection. The injection reduced the extension deficit but only for a while. Recently I again consulted the same doctors and was told that collagenase would not be a problem at all and that NA is feasible as well. The recommendation is strongly influenced by experience. BTW, a third doctor suggested segmental fasciectomy (a smaller type of surgery) as the optimal treatment.
Each doctor has his special skills and will feel most comfortable with those. That's understandable but if you, as a patient, want to learn what your options are you probably will have to look for several opinions. And ideally all from experts in their fields.
Wolfgang
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08/02/2015 13:45
BRIANB 
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08/02/2015 13:45
BRIANB
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Re: NA Treatment Question
Try your best to find an experienced N.A. doc....
Dr. Eaton we need YOU !!
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08/02/2015 17:16
mikes
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08/02/2015 17:16
mikes
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Re: NA Treatment Question
Broderbund,
From your description it sounds as though your doctor is sadly (and badly) misinformed. Most likely, you are indeed a candidate for NA and/or Xiaflex. I highly recommend that you solicit a second (perhaps even a third) opinion from a doctor with specific experience in DD. Dr. Eaton was one of the best by all accounts so consulting with his replacement would seem like a great place to start.
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08/02/2015 18:11
BRIANB
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08/02/2015 18:11
BRIANB
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Re: NA Treatment Question
FYI an experienced could exam photos that you provide..and may provide you with an plan of action.
Dr. Eaton ..because he had patients from near and far ...would at times ask for photos to be sent to him....
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08/03/2015 00:28
moondanc 
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08/03/2015 00:28
moondanc
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Re: NA Treatment Question
BRIANB:
Try your best to find an experienced N.A. doc....
Dr. Eaton we need YOU !!
I miss Charlie Eaton also--very much--no one could do NA like he could. However, I'm really glad he's doing what he's doing with the Dupuytren Foundation and trying to find a cure:
http://dupuytrens.org/
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