I've had Dupuytren's on both hands for about 10 years. I had the injections to a node on my right hand, but unfortunately, it's come back worse than it was before in just over a year! I've been trying a hand therapist who deeply massages both hands which has given me a little bit more flexibility. She suggested I use some sort of brace at night that would stretch affected fingers out as much as possible. However, as I research this, I haven't seen anything that seems any good. I'm tempted to just wrap some velcro around some popsicle sticks!
Does anyone have suggestions or products that have worked for them at night? I don't want to just keep them straight, but really stretch them out while I sleep.
Hoping to delay or negate the need for surgery by being pre-emptive.
Wearing a brace / splint at night seems to be a good method to maintain the outcome of the injection or NA. Usually this is a passive splint, i.e. it keeps the finger straight without pulling on it. I believe it's important that the splint is good to wear because you ought to wear it for a longer period of time. Splints are available in many variations, examples are on http://www.dupuytren-online.info/dupuytr...techniques.html and http://www.dupuytren-online.info/NA_side_effects.html (pretty much at the end of both pages).
Hi Stinger. You can also search for "night splint" here. This has worked well for me so far, I wear it every night and it is comfortable enough not to disturb me. It has enough tension to be effective and enough elasticity not to be uncomfortable or stiffen the finger. The fact that the stick can move a little and is not always in exactly the same place seems to contribute to comfort:
In my case only the pinky is affected. There is tension on it from the reformed cord, but I manage to keep it straight. For other fingers a commercial splint glove my be more suitable.
When you say it came back worse than before, what does it mean? How many fingers, which, how far bent? If the cord is already too strong again, you may need another collagenase or NA procedure to cut the cord(s) first.
Stef
[55, Dupuytren diagnosis 2006, RH contracture and PNF/NA 2014, radiotherapy RH 2015, LH 2017, night splint glove]
wach:Wearing a brace / splint at night seems to be a good method to maintain the outcome of the injection or NA. Usually this is a passive splint, i.e. it keeps the finger straight without pulling on it. I believe it's important that the splint is good to wear because you ought to wear it for a longer period of time. Splints are available in many variations, examples are on http://www.dupuytren-online.info/dupuytr...techniques.html and http://www.dupuytren-online.info/NA_side_effects.html (pretty much at the end of both pages).
Thanks for the help Stef - cool idea. I'll do a little research, but may end up trying your bike glove/ice cream stick idea. I have it on both hands. Left hand is pinky and thumb. Cords and skin folds forming on both. Contracture getting worse, but still not horrible. No procedures done on that hand yet. My right hand is ring finger only. Very pronounced cord. I had the collagenase procedure done. This is the cord that is come back worse than before. Mobility is decent though.
stinger88:Left hand is pinky and thumb. Cords and skin folds forming on both. Contracture getting worse, but still not horrible. No procedures done on that hand yet. My right hand is ring finger only. Very pronounced cord. I had the collagenase procedure done. This is the cord that is come back worse than before. Mobility is decent though.
It will be interesting to see how it works on the thumb. If the cord is not yet pulling on your right hand, there is probably no point in splinting and you can wait until there is tension. You may want to consider Radio Therapy on that finger instead, and possibly for your left hand, too.
That's just accidential, Fixxglove and Juzo can both be used above or under the finger (e.g. take the glove for the other hand and turn it upside down). Both sides should work OK. Personally I prefer the hard splint is on the palm side because it then won't press on my knuckle. But whatever you prefer.
Wolfgang
allanbconway:Should the splint be placed under the finger or above it? Fixxglove is above and Juzo is below.
I've had Dupuytren's on both hands for about 10 years. I had the injections to a node on my right hand, but unfortunately, it's come back worse than it was before in just over a year! I've been trying a hand therapist who deeply massages both hands which has given me a little bit more flexibility. She suggested I use some sort of brace at night that would stretch affected fingers out as much as possible. However, as I research this, I haven't seen anything that seems any good. I'm tempted to just wrap some velcro around some popsicle sticks!
Does anyone have suggestions or products that have worked for them at night? I don't want to just keep them straight, but really stretch them out while I sleep.
Hoping to delay or negate the need for surgery by being pre-emptive.
Thanks!
In my experience with DD, after a procedure I go to a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). He/she creates a custom splint to maintain my finger positions at night and for use during the day if I am just watching TV or something. Your idea of trying to have a lot of active stretching while you sleep is not going to work. You will find that your hand and fingers will quickly become sore, develop bone bruises from pressure points, etc, and you will rip the splint off in an hour or two of trying to sleep. But, a CHT can create a custom hand/wrist/forearm splint that is fit to you, comfortable, and easy to take on and off. It is more of a passive splint to maintain position not one designed to actively stretch fingers. During the day, however, you can place additional padding strategically under affected fingers and use the splint's straps to apply gentle pressure. That way, when you start getting too uncomfortable, you can modify the adjunct padding (I use different sizes of gauze rolls between the affected fingers and the splint surface) or release tension in a conscious way. The key is to go to a CHT, not just any old PT out there. A CHT is a specialist and an experienced one is well-trained in creating custom splints for lots of hand issues where splinting is needed. I should also mention the materials commonly used by a CHT are adjustable with heat...meaning you can use a hair dryer to heat the splint material strategically and make it more aggressive or less by reshaping as needed. The split shape can by adjusted that way to customize to your needs, rather than having to go back to the CHT for small adjustments. I feel it is better to have a passive splint you can wear all night and leave the active stretching as a daytime exercise. The CHT has special exercises and nifty tools for active stretching you can do at home.
If the hand person you are seeing is not a CHT, that could be an issue. Or, if yes, she should be trained to create a custom splint for you and I am surprised he/she is sending you to the store to find a splint. Or, find a better CHT.
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