Hello,

Wondering if anyone has any experience with RT in Minnesota--more specifically, with Dr Dusenbery at the UofM medical center? I had read on the forum some people's experience with the procedure and this doc but it has been some time since those posts.

I have gone through three specialists and a GP (actually, two) and no one can give me a firm dups dx. My last GP refused to order an ultrasound because it "wouldn't detect inflammation"....... I explained everything to my new GP, suggesting the ultrasound to dx the hypochoic nodules and collagen buildup but....like all the others, he stated it wouldn't work and dismissed it outright. He of course is clueless in DD and the various ways in which it can manifest (I have a cord in my finger and the deep "L" cords in the the Thenar region) and he, along with the others (yes, the specialists) even wondered if I had dups.

Needless to say I am getting nowhere and am uncertain how to navigate through this at this point. The GP stated that he would refer to get a dx and tx options. I suggested MD Dusenbury and RT to which he suggested that I shouldn't rush to anything as my hands weren't "disabling" and Radiation was dangerous. Oh, and then he told me some story about friends of his who had to quit playing stringed instruments but still found joy and beauty in life. huh. Thanks

Anyways, sorry for the rant--these are tricky waters and I'm one more idiot doctor away from losing faith in the medical community. Any insight on Dusenbury or RT as a whole would be helpful.

33 years old, non diabetic, no family hx (that I know of:)

I perfectly understand your frustration with the lack of knowledge about DD and particularly the alternative treatment options in the medical community. However, it would seem to me that you really need to get a firm diagnosis before thinking about treatment, and there surely must be a doctor in your area who can at least do that. Good luck, especially with all the years you still have ahead of you at your young age.

Stef

[54 year-old male, DD diagnosis 2006, RH contracture and NA/PNF 2014, RT 2015, wearing night splint glove]

I was Dr. Dusenbery's first RT patient about five years ago and posted about it and the positive outcome in previous threads you can search. I've since recommended her to two others who I believe have had positive experiences. I highly recommend a visit with her.

However, my primary DC hand specialist is Dr. Nicholas Meyer at Twin City Orthopedics. He did an effective NA for me four years ago and I'll likely do another later this year. He's supportive of RT for treatment of early DP. There's also a Dr. Rizzo at Mayo, who I haven't seen, who does NA.

I feel fortunate to have Meyer and Dusenbery as medical resources.

Edited 06/11/16 15:37

spanishbuddha:

---

It's not clear from your previous threads/posts who has diagnosed your DD, or confirmed the prominence shown in your photos is a DD cord or hypochoic nodules? Maybe I have missed a post? I think I also mentioned that inflammation, and other lumps or masses can be caused by many other things than DD, and neither an ultrasound or a scan (which some people have too) can confirm the presence of nodules as being DD. Irrespective of that RT only helps at a specific phase of active proliferation, usually symptoms of growing sore nodules, recent or ongoing skin and nodule changes and activity such as itching, pins and needles, general soreness, or aches in the palm and fingers. So good to line up a radiologist for treatment, but don't have RT without a clear DD diagnosis and confirmation that the timing is appropriate.