Wolfgang,

Thanks for the input and links! I'm really hoping that the pinky nodule can be treated so that I regain full extension of the finger. As a pianist with relatively small hands, the slight contracture of my pinky at the knuckle is making very difficult to play octaves comfortably and I'm finding that I'm not hitting notes as accurately with my pinky because it is not fully extended - very frustrating :-(

I'll let you know what the other doctors I visit have to say and how my chosen treatment works.

Brian123,

Wow! That's good news. Glad to hear you had such good results! I'm seeing 2 more doctors next week just to get other opinions, but Dr. Pess seems to be the most experienced in my area (from what I understand he is just about as experienced as Dr. Kline but anyone please feel free to voice an opinion!) and I'm hoping to experience the same result as you!

Brian123,

Thanks for your comments. It seems that Drs. Eaton and Pess are THE go to doctors for this cruel disease. I'll keep everyone advised as things progress...

Saw another doctor today. Wow! Totally different opinion. He is a hand surgeon by specialty. Said Dupuytrens is so common that he sees it sometimes 5 times a day. It was even the first item on his coding chart!

He only believes in surgery. Does not trust NA or xiaflex because he feels it's very difficult to be able to stick a needle in your hand/finger without seeing what you're doing and risk damagin something. Mentioned the possibility of a ruptured flexor tendon several times. Scary...

He said my 6 degree bend only warrants monitoring and he adamantly stated that the risks of NA or xiaflex (when it becomes available) totally outweigh the potential benefits.

All I know is that this is seriously affecting my piano playing - but I can still play - so is NA really that risky?

Thoughts anyone?

In my opinion, NA has some risks, of course, but nothing like the risks with surgery. I had immediate release of my pinkie and thumb and some cords in the palm beginning to contract my ring finger. Dr. Denkler who did my NA is a hand surgeon and did full surgery all the time before he ever did NA. He knows the anatomy of hands and has gone to NA whenever possible because the risks are less than surgery. Besides, the contracture after surgery due to scar tissue is irreversible. Any other hand surgeon will know the anatomy of hands, where tendons, ligaments, etc. are
If I get contracture again, I'll get NA in a New York minute. I don't ever plan to have surgery. I'll have alternatives or nothing.
Flora