I went for my 1st visit to a hand surgeon this past week. I was not impressed as he was brisk and spent only 5 minutes with me. He never sat down and acted like I was keeping him from his other patients. He does not do NA, but said that my condition was not serious enough for surgery yet. I queried him on the Open Surgery that he does. He made is sound like it was a "walk in the park" with 3 days recovery time. I think I know better. Surgeons just talk like that, but the reality is that invasive surgery, in my mind, is quite serious.
At any rate, I also called and talked to Dr. Mahoney in Illinois. He is doing about 5 NA procedures a week.
I then called Cleveland Clinic, which is closer to me as I live in Western Pennsylvania. They do about 3 procudures a week.
I am so glad I found this website because I have learned much and am still learning.

Right now, I paying attention to the Trials being done with _Collagese?(spelling) But, I am sure you all know what I am referring to.

I would like to try any and everything to try and lessen the progession and spreading of this disease. I have resisted calling my Dupuyrens a disease until now..because I know it was created by trauma to my hand. But, I am willing to admit that perhaps I have a genetic disposition that may make me devleoped this disease..once trauma has occured?

I have had mysofascial injuries in the past - to the shoulder or the back. I was able to get the fascia treated with myofasical release technigues. However, I noticed with these hand nodules that stretching or poking at them with a heavy hand only makes the tenderness worse.
I have concluded that very very light massage, as the other poster suggested, with light oils light Peppermint etc may help. But, heavy massage makes it much worse.

I have purchased a few fingerless gloves. Making sure that the glove has a very loose fit and a mildly padded palm.
I have a glove that is made from soft fleece with a very soft pliable leather-type palm. It is fingerless and I am thinking it is important that the glove not restrict my finger movements. but, the glove sure helps when this nodule is so very tender..as it has been for the last 3 months.

Anyway, just an update...and some thoughts..and I appreciate any comments.
I am so glad this dupuytren-online board exists. thank you!


Therefore, I would like to learn everything I can about take better care of my hands.
I was very interested in the very light oil massage mentioned by another poster.

Australia Calling. I've had Morbus Dupuytren for 30 years and unfortunately many operations. I use my hands for many heavy manual tasks. Have you tried leather gloves used by cyclists. They fit well and are padded . I use cotton gloves with rubber face for grip when I do any work at all . If you use leather gardening gloves for the first time I cream my hands well even with vaseline which soaks into the glove . I have knuckle pads so even the movement of the glove can cause extra stress on the joints. At night try using urea enriched creme and wear cotton gloves. I do stretching exercises every day . A good massaging oil available here contains olive, eucalyptust and teatree oil . I rub it up and down the forearm which also massages the hands and fingers. Try it out.Finally I have still got very good movement .Regards from down under.

"I asked if that is what they would do in my situation" A good question we should ask more often

Edited at 12.11.07 09:56