Chris, I'm sorry that you feel my comment about the difficulty of recovery form OS was not accurate. We can agree to disagree. However, for the sake of accuracy I'm happy to expand on my remark by saying that for the majority of cases, not for all, recovery is a long term process. And I might add that in your case whatever the discomfort may be it could be well worth it. This disease has put many of us in a tough spot with some hard choices.



Edited at 06/01/07 01:28

Chris, Thanks for sharing your experiences and the advice given by your surgeon. My comments were not intended as a criticism of you or your doctor; rather an expression of how contradictory medical advice can sometimes be. I am so sorry that you have this condition at a young age and wish you the very best in your treatment. Everyone's case is different and I am sure you will make the right decisions.

The comment about amputation came from the fact that two surgeons told me that amputation of my finger might eventually be necessary as the finger might bend again enough to interfere with use of the hand. So Im just relaying what I was told by an orthopedic surgeon and a hand surgeon, neither of whom did NA. It was even mentioned in my file which i read. Both very fine and highly respected doctors. But it scared the beejeezus out of me. I have grown very attached to pinky.

FYI, recovery from two open surgeries was relatively painless. Had a big bottle of pain killers and only used one or two and was able to drive and go about normal activities quickly. But each time the dupuytren's recurred within a year which is why I looked for alternatives. One year after NA, I have less recurrance than after open.

So I know you are not trying to start an argument and I don't wish to either. We all just want to share what we have been told and what we have learned. Sorry if I was too blunt. Keep us updated on your condition and the treatment. you have.

I had 4 (or possibly 5, I can't remember) surgeries between 1986 and 1991 and believe that the first surgery in my right hand triggered an aggressive advance into 2 previously non involved fingers of that hand.

Subsequent surgeries were done by a better surgeon. Nonetheless, after surgery on the little finger of my left hand the disease appeared in my left index finger (the other fingers are not involved). The contracture in my index finger stabilized quickly, but has progressed within the last couple of months.

I think that any alternatives are good news. Even with the relatively successful surgery in my left hand (my little finger is straighter -far from straight though- and there has been no recurrence in that finger), the function of that hand for guitar playing has never returned to the level it was at immediately before the surgery.

Consequently, I welcome the prospect of any alternative that might have less negative effect on hand function.