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37 with advanced Dupuytren's
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05/06/2008 17:46
Jamie

not registered

05/06/2008 17:46
Jamie

not registered

37 with advanced Dupuytren's

My husband is 37 and already had surgery on his right hand over 5 yrs. ago (by a horrible "plastic surgeon"- we were uninformed at the time). The contractures have returned with much greater force and his hand is severly malformed. It barely opens more than 90 deg. and all the digits are affected, including his thumb. His left had is less severe but also needs treatment. We desperately need to get help but don't know where to start- we are new to the Dallas area. Because his dominant hand has already been poorly operated on, is badly scarred, and the disease is so progressed, I'm uncertain of his options at this point. How can I go about finding a progressive, educated, experienced specialist for him to see in our area that will utilize every available treatment? We need the best to turn his condition around. Any advice is greatly appreciated.


Dallas

05/06/2008 21:00
key 
05/06/2008 21:00
key 
Re: 37 with advanced Dupuytren's

Jamie, your at this site which is a first great step and a great source of information. I am actually 38 and have had 2 surgeries and NA twice in the past 10 yrs. So I can absolutely understand the stress and frustration that this disease brings to someone who gets it at a younger age.

You might ask about local doctors that do NA in your area, (NA is the needle release) or contact Dr. Eaton in FL. The challenge you may have with NA and I speak from experience is that it absolutely works, but with advanced and progressive cases the relapse is high. I had NA in 06 and 07 and while it works the dups was back in 6months.

Follow the progress of the drug Xiaflex by the company Auxilium which is in final trials, this will/may/should.... do what NA does but may.... have better longer term success. The verdict is still out so thats why I say it like that.

I actually have a question to this group as I am in the same boat with Jamie's husband. What other treatments might be worth looking at if you have had surgeries and NA and it still returns? I may a huge fan of NA but the recurrence is so fast for me now that I am thinking again of surgery. I have heard of complete fasciectomy but not really that familiar with it.

As always, thanks!

05/07/2008 14:20
callie 
05/07/2008 14:20
callie 
Re: 37 with advanced Dupuytren's

Everyone's situation is different. Because there is a recurrence of contraction, it is not necessarily the type of procedure or the surgeon that is at fault. Some people have a very aggressive condition. I had surgery over six years ago and had what I would consider perfect results (0 degrees contraction, full strength and no visible scar tissue). My little finger was at 90 degrees contraction and ring finger about 45 degrees. Presently, there is no sign of Dupuytren's.

Some people have very good success with NA, while others have very limited success. It is not the particular procedure that is good, or bad. The patient's situation is crucial. It is very important to have a very experienced practitioner performing the procedure, however.

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