I had one injection in the left hand, then 6 weeks later another in the left hand. I went from 90 -15. Not perfect, but so much better. Then, 30 days later, I had an injection in the right hand and went from about 80 to 0. Wow! So far that is a total of 3 injections, since September. I go back for a check up in April.
Yes, there was some pain involved, and after each injection it is somewhat different. You get the injection, go home for 24 hours. There is pain, but I never felt it was horrible. I actually still used my hand (it was wrapped) a bit. It swells somewhat in those 24 hours, and just feels different. Then the doctor breaks the cord the next day, and I had a shot to ease the pain beforehand. The pain is short lived, and I felt, well worth it. I would do it a gain in a second.

Late last year had the needle proceedure on the right hand ring finger--seems to help (even though it was unpleasant). But last week in a check up my Doctor (in DC Area) recommends some kind of enzme needle injection--costing $3,000.00 RIGHT not $300.00. Have any of you had that proceedure?

If insurance pays for it - I'll go for it...if not I'll have to sell the car! I can take a cab to the Dr.

Any experience out there with the enzme proceedure??
Patrick

Eastwind,

It seems to depend on the hand and the disease at the time. I posted elsewhere that Dr. Denkler thinks Xiaflex would be better than NA for the nodule on the inside of my little finger with a cord underneath that RT didn't get rid of. I've got time to decide as it isn't progressing at this point, but I know Xiaflex is going to be harder than having NA.

I didn't ask, but I don't see why Dr. Denkler couldn't do NA in the places that would work and Xiaflex in the places he thinks NA isn't so good all in the same day. He did say he deadens the hand for the injections and for the snapping of the cords later. He also said that it actually works better to snap the cords after several days and even up to a couple of weeks. I didn't know that before. I thought it was injections one day and snap the cords the next. He said that would work, too. If a victim/patient has to travel for treatment, they would probably prefer to do the whole thing in 2 days.

Kathryn---so glad to hear about (and see the results of) your successful surgery. Let's hope it lasts!!
I had the Xylaflex injection about 6 weeks ago, also in the pinky finger. The doctor gave me the shot in the palm right near where the pinky connects to the hand. The shot was very painful as there is no anesthesia, but the breaking of the cord allowed for a local, so that didn't hurt at all. I was fortunate that I had no skin breakage, so other than a very definitive bruise, I was good. the discomfort lasted about 3 weeks. I obtained a fair amount of success---my pinky was contracted so that the tip of my finger was touching the palm of my hand.

This week I returned for my next follow-up. We decided that one more shot--this time directly into the cord below the knuckle should serve to straighten it even more. There really was marked improvement with the first shot, but it's clear to see that the finger is still impinged, as I can SEE the cord clearly. I will be having this next shot in June. I can't say I'm looking forward to it--but I figure 30 seconds of discomfort is worth better usage of this finger!

It's 'my pleasure'. If it helps someone else make the right decision for them I am pleased. I was lucky - good surgeon, good Hospital (Royal Surrey County), good friend to look after me post operation and I am fortunate that I seem to heal well and quickly.

I am sure the exercise thing (as I call physio) is that you should do it 'all the time'. I have also found that Bio Oil is great for reducing the scarring (and it smells nice).



Kathryn

Edited 04/13/11 19:53