sandrahelene,

I had NA to straighten my hand. My contracture was tightening across my palm from my thumb to my little finger. The finger and thumb were bent about 15-20 degrees from the nodules and cords in my palm. The joints up in the finger were not bent. About 4 months later, I had RT. The RT stopped the progression of new nodules forming and all of the symptoms of active Dupuytren's stopped. My grip increased to what it was before Dupuytren's. Just a reminder, RT does not stop cords but it is very effective on the nodule stage.

NA procedure takes about 20 minutes. The hand is deadened and it does not hurt at all. I drove myself home with it bandaged up. I kept it elevated day and night for 3 days as directed. I then took the bandage off and kept Bacitracin on the punctures for 2 weeks. I did shower, shampoo my hair, etc., just did not put it in basins of water or tub bath, or swimming pools. I had full use of my hand and my palm was flat. I was not prescribed a night splint to wear.

About 2 1/2 years later, my palm started cupping and my little finger and thumb were again beginning to contract. I had NA done again. I have a night splint this time and it helps a lot. I sometimes forget to put it on, but if I realize it, I will put it on for 1, 2, or however many hours are left in the night. I try to remember to put it on when I first go to bed. I had it adjusted 3 times and this seems to be just what I need. It keeps tension on my little finger, thumb, and the palm. It is making a difference. I'll have a good idea how much difference the splint makes. I hope I never need NA again, but if I need to have it done every 1 to 3 years, I'll be happy. Recovery is only what I described above. There was no hurting, no pain, no PT. 7 months since NA and it is better than it was right after the NA released the contracture.

I would recommend that you get a hand specialist to do NA, preferably one who has done it or trained in NA. They are poking a needle in your hand and they need to know where nerves, tendons, etc. are. I have the utmost confidence in Dr. Denkler who did mine both times.

Feel free to ask more questions.