Econn: I learned about Healthwell Foundation from well informed doctor's office assistant when I was in Fla and sought xiaflex treatment without insurance. She did all the paperwork for me and got me a $3500 grant. When I returned to Rochester NY and inquired about it for 2nd round of xiaflex, practice here had no knowledge of it. (So..we, DD sufferers need to spread the word for those considering xiaflex and need help paying for it).
Talking through options has been very helpful. I need to talk frankly to the oncologist about RT. I have active DD in left hand which is in 1st stages (3 soft nodules @ 3 cords) I am thinking RT would be more advantageous for this hand to slow down progession. As far as right hand, I want to search out a DD specialist..it is painful and debilitating. Thanks. (Excuse sp errors - typing on smart screen w DD is in itself a challenge; )

One of my yoga teachers also wants me to try massage therapy. I will research that option. I hope to avoid surgery. Watching 60 Minutes on potential breakthrough using polio vaccine to treat cancer cells. Hope to holdout for DD breakthrough:)

Anyone know about this Option
http://www.dupuytren-online.info/needle_aponeurotomy.html
Extensive percutaneous aponeurotomy with lipografting
A modified PNF technique, extensive percutaneous aponeurotomy, has been proposed that uses a surgical environment, a regional block (anaesthesia like in surgery) and injection of body fat (lipografting). Using a needle or similar device the cord is punctured with many superficial stitches (nicks) all along its extension. To avoid nerve damage this technique is not penetrating the skin very deeply, less than the classical needle aponeurotomy (NA) and does not attempt to fully cut the cord with the needle. The aim is to loosen the connection between the skin and the Dupuytren nodule and cord. After breaking the damaged cord by pulling on the finger the palm is injected with body fat that has been harvested elsewhere, typically from the stomach area. Pros and cons of this technique are still being evaluated. An overview was given by Roger Khouri at the 2010 Dupuytren's conference in Miami video. Benefits of this technique might be that the injected fat helps healing, restores a better padded finger, releases the connection between nodule and skin and thus might avoid recurrence better than NA. Yet a comparative long-term study is still missing. Initial data have been published by Steven ER Hovius et al. "Extensive Percutaneous Aponeurotomy and Lipografting: A New Treatment for Dupuytren Disease"  Plast Reconstr Surg. 2011;128(1 ):221–8

Thank you! I will take the time to review many of the videos in addition to PALF. Found it very helpful even though I have no medical background. But saying that I have.been proactive in.beginning discussions of both xiaflex and RT to my physcians. As stated I have begun RT on left.hand and have referral to hand surgeon one month out for next best options on right hand. (Believe right is between Stage 2 & 3 but I am not sure how measured. Suffice to say it is challenging to me.) Oncologist doing RT said she was informed referral of Dr. Hammert best on knowledge DD in our area but I want to come prepared to discuss PALF. Still so hesitant on surgery but worry reaching the point of no return..I skipped around viewing videos and was surprised to see there may never be a point of no return: re "Continous Extension Technique" Dr. Jane Messina.
I guess ongoing frustration is where to find the right doctor that will work with me to avoid radically invasive surgery.

Thank you for suggesting Session 7 Video on RT. With 30 years of experience/knowledge on RT DD I felt he was an expert and I was glued to it. Bottom line it reinforced what I am doing. Inflammation is active left hand as I have a new nodule which appeared since original conference with Oncologist Dr. Chen. Univ of Roc. In fact when I went in for 1st RT she decided to "reblock" RT area to include new nodule. (What I grasped was that left hand in stage 1 was "ripe" for RT now. Today is day 4 of 5.then I take 3 mos off.then 5 again). Right handnis in stage 2 to 3 MAY benefit but other options should be investigated. That is where I am at.
Must tell of my confidence in Dr. Chen. At office visit with her after RT day 3 we discussed at length my.options and she is very willing to interact with hand surgeon. We also diacussed the origin of DD after I queried her on my genetic connections primarily a child with juvenile diabetes. She is very interested in DD though I believe itn is a relatively new treatment frontier at Univ of Roc Medical Center.