Hi coachG, I wonder if you're a candidate for radiation treatment after recovering from the Xiaflex, as it sounds like your Dupuytrens's is active. It may help slow it down. If you do a search on this site for RT after surgery you can find some other people's experiences. Best wishes either way.

RT isn't an option for the hand I'm having work done on--at least according to the 2 doctors I talked to. Once the nodules get too big & there is significant contracture, RT wouldn't do much good. I've had RT on my other hand that has nodules but little contracture. So far, so good on that hand. Nodules haven't progressed, though they haven't shrunk like others mentioned.

Right now, hand is awful swollen & very sore at the point of injection. It looks like an allergic reaction to a bee sting!

Back home after manipulation...typing is a struggle! Hand still really swolllen & numb from lydocaine. Had to get extra lydocaine as there was still pretty sharp pain as the doctor started the manipulation. After 2nd round of meds, manipulation was more difficiult than expected. Felt the pop of the cord, and doctor kept the pressure up to make sure it was all the way popped--I'm sure my knuckle will be sore as the pain meds wear off.

Finger is straight--injecton at PIP joint--but I may have to go back for 2nd round with injection in the palm this time. That's where all the scar tissue has built up, so I'm sure that will be a "fun" manipulation.

I'll be back with more in the next couple of days.

And yes, this is a stupid disease!

Hi coachG, since you've had it done before I think you can compare the healing and recovery with the first time. I suppose it is possible the doc over extended a joint in trying to break the cord, so watch out for that as I find finger joint injuries take a while to heal.

Hi there,
Thanks for posting your experience. I think I may be one of the few on this forum who has had: RT on both hands, 4 NAs and Xiaflex (during trials). 3 of the NAs and the Xiaflex were on just one finger--ring finger of RH--sequence- NA, Xiaflex, NA--that lasted just a few months--another NA, then RT. That was about 1-1/2 years ago and the pinky finger on my RH and the palm below it-- NEXT to where I had the Xiaflex is hideous and contracting so fast I can almost see it. It seems as though the Xiaflex created a dead zone and so the DD has become even more aggressive right next to the area and now instead of just having cords on my palm and front of my finger(s) I have cords up both sides of most of the affected fingers. I am not a Xiaflex fan.

Unfortunately, I also have DD in my left hand-- I have involvement/cords in 6-7 of my fingers. I need to go see Dr. Eaton again (this will be my third trip) and when speaking to his office several weeks ago I was told that Dr. Eaton has yet to use Xiaflex! That was REALLY interesting to me. The office also said that if he had the "right patient" he'd be open to it. Prior to entering the Xiaflex trials in 2007 I did consult with Dr. Eaton and at that time he told me saw no reason NOT to enter the trials-- I wonder what is making him so cautious?

Moondanc