It is two years now since my condition started and now my finger can hardly open, I am wondering what the treatment involves and how long does it take to recover, I have a doctors appointment on the 1/10/21 so would like some options please.
Re: Advice please - Need More Information for good counseling
Else:It is two years now since my condition started and now my finger can hardly open, I am wondering what the treatment involves and how long does it take to recover, I have a doctors appointment on the 1/10/21 so would like some options please.
What have you done in the meanwhile ... 2 years is a long period for thinking and acting ?!
Have you consulted any DOCTOR ? ... e.g. Family practitioners, hand surgeons, orthopedic specialist, radiation specialist ?
What is the actual status of your hand palms and fingers - any photograph available ?
You mention functional symptoms ("... finger hardly open"), but do you also have pain, burning sensations besides "stiffness"?
Is your stiffness in both directions : CLOSING AND / OR OPENING your hand palm ?
EARLY OPTIONS at a time, when the hand and all finger can be fully stretched (opened) - complete flat status up to 10 -30 degree flexion deformity RADIOTHERAPY IS A BASIC and PRINCIPALLY successful treatment in EARLY progressing disease.
LATER OPTIONS may b required if fingers or hand is already bent for over 30 degree including minimal invasive NEEDLE FASCIOTOMY or locally invasive LOCAL / LIMITED open FASCIECTOMY - eventually followed by wearing a NIGHT SPLINT.
LAST OPTION is an open HAND SURGRY performed by skilled and long-term HANSURGEONS ...
As "I am only a radiation oncologist" my personal advice is limited and restricted to EARLY OPTIONS; in this regard one can approach me via E-mail: prof. seegenschmiedt@gmail.com
With gratitude for all affected patients & medical colleagues who help to advance patient care ...(mhs)
Else, It doesn't seem like there have been any advances since my last hand surgery two years ago. I had my right hand operated on in 2001. The hand surgeon was brilliant and the physical therapy was intense, but very effective. I have complete use of my right hand and a zig zag scar running down my little finger and the palm of my hand. I was able to play classical piano after the surgery.
For my left hand I had to wait until I had good health insurance, so the surgery was delayed longer than was ideal. I'm also older now (in my 60's). I had the Xiaflex as two friends of mine had that and it worked perfectly for them. No surgery, no physical therapy. The Xiaflex did not work well for me and I had an allergic reaction to it, so it was not good both for my hand and for my body. I then had hand surgery which seemed at first to work well. My hand could lay flat afterwards, but during the course of physical therapy, the little finger curled. I can no longer play the piano, but I can still type using my left hand The surgeon said that sometimes happens and there was nothing she could do about it. I haven't investigated this any further with any other doctors.
I never investigated the other options mentioned on this board as none of the doctors I saw ever mentioned them to me.
as your fingers are already contracted, you might have a look at needle fasciotomy https://www.dupuytren-online.info/needle_aponeurotomy.html . Studies indicate that it is about as effective as Xiaflex but with less side effects. The procedure is quite painless and recovery after treatment is typically a few days to a week. You can find addresses on https://www.dupuytren-online.info/NA_list_North_America.html (or on other pages of our website, depending on where you are living).
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