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Thanks Deelyc and Sandie, Yes, I did go to the Dr. today and I do have DD. At first the Dr was going yo give me a cortisone shot in the bottom of my ring finger, I can't have any steroids at all because of a lung desease I have..He then said, well you do have some contractures and thickening in your palm..I won't do anything for it though..I only work on fingers that have fully contracted. I could go to a therapist to squeeze a bll and pick up buttons, I can't afford $25 2 times a week. Im right back where I started and not very happy with my primary sending me to a Dr like that. And yes, when he squeezed my fingers it did hurt. I also have nodules on the back of my knuckles that he just had to squeeze too. Im back to square one.. Any Ideas would be appreciated.. Cathln

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Cathln, Did you go to a Dupuytren's doctor, a hand specialist, or your regular doctor? Hopefully, one of the Dupuytren's doctors could help you to work around using steroids. Sandie

What part of the country are you located? With Dr. Kline, I called and spoke with him over the phone. Then he had me send some digital pics of my husband's hand and he made a diagnosis without us having to travel to see him. We did travel to Boise for the NA.

Hi Cathln, We don't have a Dr. here in Denver either. It was really strange flying from a big city to Ontario, Oregon to see a doctor.

Randy (I hope you're there, you have always been there when I need you) Is there someplace on the forum where there is a list of Dupuytren's doctors? It would be a great tool to have.

Cathln, you really need to see a Dupuytren's doctor. If for nothing else, just for a diagnosis. Dupuytren's is like a cavity, the worse it gets, the more problems you have and the more treatment you need. It really pays in the long run to get a headstart as early as possible. I'm also talking about a Dupuytren's doctor, not a hand surgeon.

Hopefully, we can come up with a list of Dupuytren's doctors close to you. Sandie

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Thanks again Sandie, I didn't realize there were drs out there that just dealt with Dupuytrens. Ill have to see if there is oner around here, probably not..I know the more Drs. I see the more I dislike them and their arrogance. I go to my primary in Oct. but I honestly think my hand is getting worse by the day. I can still open it but it pulls sooo bad. I can't bend them back at all, I can on the other hand.

I have found out in the past two years that yoiu really have to look long sand hard before you find as Dr thst even cares at all. Cathln

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I understand where you are coming from. I feel like now days, you have to figure out yourself what is wrong, then find a doctor that can help you. I know that the Drs. Eaton and Bishop are very highly recommended. You can get info from Dr. Eaton's website at www.handcenter.org. He is located in Florida. We went to Dr. Kline in Oregon. His website is Dupuytrenscenter.com. The major difference you are looking at, is having a surgeon cut your hand open, then cutting and scraping out the cords and nodules. This comes with a lot of pain and rehabilitation, where the Dupuytren's doctors I'm speaking of perform NA (needle aponeurotomy). They give you a local pain killer in the palm of your hand, then with a small sharp needle, they cut the cords that are causing your fingers to pull into the palm. After cutting the cords (all done under the skin with no open wound) they inject the nodules with a steroid, which causes them to shrink and disappear. Post procedure consists of keeping you hand elevated and iced for 24 - 48 hours and then if necessary to wear a splint to "teach" you fingers to go back to a straight position. They have been doing this procedure for 30 years in France. The reason why we chose Dr. Kline is because he sufferes from DD and went to France for the procedure and then returned to learn the procedure. Dr. Kline was FAR from those doctors who couldn't care less. When you are with him, he makes you feel like you are his only patient and he will take as much time as you need to understand the disease and the procedure. Since he suffers from it also, you know he totally understands what you are going through. His rates are extremely low, compared to what it costs for the surgery. If you can't afford the procedure, maybe they could help by just giving you the steroid injections in the nodules to help with the pain.

You might want to start researaching the study that is going to start up again. As I understand it, it consist of a drug that is injected into the nodules one day, then you go back the next day and they can straighten the fingers. I think what part of the study is for is the long term effect of the injections. If you can still straighten your fingers out, you could be eligible.

Either way, I think you need to do your homework and choose a Dupuytren's doctor and at least get in to see them for an initial visit. It could only help.

Taurusthecat, Welcome!

I'm happy to tell you that you are very lucky to have been diagnosed and that you found this forum at such an early stage.

You might want to find out as much as you can about radiotherapy or radiation therapy. Dr. Kline feels that this procedure can be very successful if treated early enough. Unfortunately, my husband wasn't diagnosed until his palm was full of lumps and his ring finger and little finger were pulled down almost to his palm.

If you have any questions, there are a lot of people who have been through different stages and different treatments, who are willing to share what they have learned.

Thank you for being in the forum and please keep us updated on your Dupuytren's journey. Sandie