I am 46 and first started showing signs of DC at 31. I have it in both hands an will need to have the left hand operated on this year. In researching this disease, I came across the needle aponeurotomy procedure - would love to hear from someone that has had that procedure and how it compares to the surgery. Also in my research, I came upon DC related diseases - of the four I found, I have had frozen shoulder (non-injury onset - once in each shoulder); letterhose and knuckle pads. Other than the above, I am in very good health - am concerned about lifestyle as I get older. Pain in my feet is not too bad, but the nodules are getting bigger. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, thanks. I have checked out every website I have come across. My concern in DC in both my hands an letterhose in both my feet and I am only 46 - my doctor said I have the most advanced case for anyone my age he has ever seen.

katezea

The fact that your surgeon did not offer NA as the first line procedure doesn't mean that this procedure isn't slowly being accepted by some excellent hand surgeons. Don't let anyone tell you that Open Surgery (OS) is a "cure". Newman's 17 surgeries attests to that. At the same time NA is not nescessaraly a replacement for OS but the least invasive first thing to try.

I have had both OS and NA. One on each hand. For me the outcome is night and day. My OS hand has never recovered, whereas my NA hand is as good as new. You owe it to yourself to respectfully disregard your surgeon's current state of ignorance on NA and go elsewhere. For a crash course on NA check out Dr. Eaton's site.

http://www.handcenter.org/newfile16.htm

He is the main reason NA is even available in the US. However, there are many fine NA practitioners around the US as it is an easy producer for a CHS. Take the shortest plane ride to the closest guy. It's worth the money.

With a particularly aggressive case you may wind up needing OS, perhaps with skin grafting, but just jet.

All the best,

Randy

Edited at 25.02.08 19:33

Randy. Hi Australia Calling
I too was surprised at your choice of the word -Nuclear- More Information please.
Did you know that in the year 07 in Germany alone 40,000 patients were treated with low dose Radiation for 28 different Disorders. Reference: " Radiotherapy for Non-Malignant Disorders" Seegenschmiedt.(Springer publication)
Katezea also has Lederhose and I would not have any surgery on my feet. Her age is not a barrier, infact when I was in Germany they had just treated a 12 year old girl for Ledderhose. This word -Nuclear- worries even me. Dont look to close at the Exit signs everywhere they have the Nuclear symbol on them , Regards,

Edited at 26.02.08 01:04

I have ring finger nodules on both hands with cords that are causing 30 plus degree contractures. I was planning on NA after reading your forum but now I wonder if radiotherapy wouldn't be a better first choice. I was intrigued by Randy's comment that he has seen Wolfgang's post radiotherapy hands and that you couldn't tell that he has the disease. Even so Randy recommends NA. I'm a bit confused. What is good opinion on this? Are there any doctors in US who do radiotherapy for this?
Thanks.