Fair play seph,

I had the same thought with my RT in NZ.......it was available here......but I ended up in hamburg......I suspect your thought process is similar to mine......get it done right first time with the experienced practitioners......

I have no regrets.....

Good luck to you...

wach:

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If you want to read a personal story about how it is having Dupuytren's, how a specific tretament helped or didn't, how to find the right doctor, then you might have a look also at our page on "personal experiences". Here patients tell their stories with a little more details than in the forum. You find this page on the menu on the left side or at http://www.dupuytren-online.info/dupuytr...xperiences.html.

Wolfgang

Tried realease on left pinky finger last October...came back worse...Doctor said surgery was necessary and that I would have to be put out during surgery. This did not sit well with me so I searched for other doctors in the Toronto area that perform the surgery.

DR Tang who is a plastic Surgeon who specializes in hands was on the list. I met with her and immediatley felt comfortable, she took the time to explain in detail every step before during and after surgery. She also said t6hey could perform a Bier Block, which means I did not have to be put under.

Basically they froze my arm, and clamped at the upper muscle and performed the surgery. I was awake all along and was informmed by the doctor at every step of proceedure. I arrived at hospital at 10 AM and was taken right away to pre op. They then took me to prep room where the the proceedure to block was performed.

A ultrasound was used to find the nerve that blocks my arm. A needle was inserted and freezing applied. once freezing was in place They then proceeded to wrap from my hand up in elastic band to remove the blood from arm. At that point a "clamp" was put around my arm and tightened. The elastic was removed...and off to operating room.

The wierdest part was, as my arm was frozen in an upright position, through-out the entire proceedure my mind was telling me the arm was still raised.

Anyway, I chose not to watch and was drapped. What ever she was doing it took about 30 minutes at which time she said alll went well.

I was taken to recovery, where the doctor gave me instructions that I must...starting immediatley close my fingers and hold to make sure I dont lose movement, and to continually do this, either use it or lose it, and that she will see me in 2 weeks.

As I had not taken any anethetics or sedatives I was immediatley released form hospital.

The arm regained full feeling in about 2 hours, but the hand was still frozen for about 4 more. I went to bed at about 11pm with the pinky feeling frozen.

Next morning Hand, Pinky were not frozen but Pinky was tingly, I could move somewhat to closed fist but did have to force all the way where it should have been,,, releasing of fist did hurt as if it had not been done in a long time.

It is now 4 days since surgery, my finger is straight, still abit tingly but better every day.

I ride a Motorcycle and I believe that by tomorrow it will be applicable to do so

In all the stress I went through prior to surgery was unwarranted as the whole proceedure was not that bad

Edited 09/22/12 20:14

Xiaflex is just released in Canada, and as doctor said you want to be first? Don’t think so... My duprytens was extensive in left hand and is also in right...later down the road for this.

I was really scared of being put under so the block was an welcome option.

But I am surprised 4 days later of the use I have already, and each day it is better...ask about the block as doctors have been doing this since the 1800's and they all know about it...it is used on kids as an alternative

Good luck, and I am sure whatever you do you will realize after the stress was not warranted

Putzo

marigail:

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It is very encouraging to learn of your success. I am trying hard not to stress over this because from all accounts this doctor I'm seeing is excellent. I'll be glad to be able to use my left hand more efficiently again!
marigail