Hi. PM if you want more details. As you will learn on the site, there are many treatment options for this disease. At the early nodule stage you can have radiation treatments done. Once you have cords and a little bit of contracture (10-30°) you can have needle aponeurotomy or collagenase treatments. Surgery would be indicated for people with greater contractures.
Problem with surgeons is they see every problem as a nail and the only tool as a hammer.
Simply not true. Stay positive. And best of luck.

Welcome jaquson

Yes there are other options for treatment. Explore this website for the main ones: Radiotherapy in early stages of an active cycle, needle aponeurotomy, Xiaflex, and various types and degree of surgery.

It sounds like you are in the USA? You are possibly a candidate at your stage for NA or Xiaflex, see the list of some doctors listed on the treatment pages. Or come back and say where you are, and others may chip in.

There is no cure, so most treatments buy you some time and contracture maybe recur. But often a lot of time, many years, with straight functional hands and some occasional minor treatment in between.

There are some risk factors associated with the condition. See if any apply to you, and try and remove them.

Best wishes

SB

One other option -- if you're into this sort of thing -- you can check for any clinical studies you might like to participate in. Check out http://www.centerwatch.com/ -- You can search by your medical condition and/or location.

Good luck.

Winstead, OTR
This is also my first time on this site, actually my first time to post on any site. I am an occupational therapist and have treated many patients with DC over the past 18 years. Unfortunately, all these patients have been referred to me after either having surgery or in an effort to avoid or prolong having surgery. Even the non-surgical patients have always had moderate to severe contractures by the time I first saw them. Last year I had the opportunity to treat my first patient who obviously had very early stages of Dupuytren's disease without contracture. This 70 year old female did have significant bands and nodules and actually came to me first because of past professional history. I told her that she had what appeared to be early DC, but in compliance with state law, referred her to a local MD for diagnosis. When she was sent back to me for treatment to prevent the oncoming contractures, I realized that there is basically no research based evidence for preventive treatment. I developed a protocol including ultrasound, myofascial release, manual stretch, and electrical stimulation in an attempt to delay or avoid the inevitable future of contractures and to help my patient achieve her goal of maintaining function without surgery. I am please to report that after 8 months of one visit per week, she has had no loss of movement or function. We have encountered several instances of very tender nodules and new bands developing, however, all have responded to treatment. Due to lack or research with conservative management, or published findings with this option, I was actually looking to see if anyone else may have had similar experiences or if it could be that this patient simply has not progressed as rapidly as others with this disease. I would appreciate any feedback or information regarding common time frames from first noticed symptoms to first contracture. Hope some of this information is helpful to you.

Welcome twin stead

Check out posts by stephenjeffrey and visit his website http://www.ealingmassagetherapy.co.uk/Du...-s-Massage.html. He is offering similar massage protocol to you with some reported success.

SB