My husband works in Healthcare and within that system is a Dr.Cha who is in the radiation oncology department in Portland Oregon. She is reported to have preformed RT therapy on Dupuytrens patients. It looks like it is a series of treatments needed to halt the progression. It is outside my HMO but since it is within the Healthcare system he works for I am hopeful that if this is an option maybe there will be some discount on the therapy.
I am not sure why my current Doctor is being so evasive and uninformative on this, maybe it's that he doesn't fully know what he is dealing with. I will see what he has to say in answer to my two emails and decide if he is worth staying with after that. I did send him an email stating the xiaflex was an oopsie. I just wish that having to fight for treatment wasn't necessary. We all are fighting the aggressive onslaught of Dupuytrens why should we have to fight our Doctors too?

It is now just over 1 month since operatiobn to remove completley - stitches out 2 weeks (an immediate relief)

After reading some of the stories in regards to NA and Xiaflex I am glad I chose this route. I have no pain, my finger is completley straight, I have full grip, can make complete fist. I started back at gym and i can lift weights (a little uncomfortable with the pressure on the scar as it runs from middle of pinky finger almost to my wrist

As far as the scar - I had a plastic surgeon who specializes in hands do the surgery it looks like it is healing good and a very clean line - I do keep massaging cream on scar I dont think it will standout like I thought it would

I am streching my palm as there is some discomfort (tightness) when stretching hand backwards

My right hand, which also has DC will eventually have to be done, and I will choose same proceedure as it seems the outcome from all other proceedures ends up with surgery - eventually.

The biggest disapointment I have after 1 month is my wife has no sympathy left and her catering to me has ended

spanishbuddha:

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Thanks for sharing that positive experience of surgery Putzo, we normally just hear the bad stories.

It would be interesting to know if you have any insights you can share, about improving the chances of a successful surgical outcome for the rest of us?

Best wishes for the continued recovery.

Like I said in my past postings - I had release done last year and it came back almost immediatley - I was terrified of being put to sleep so I had what they Call a Bier Block instead and was awake through whole proceedure. After I did as doctor instructed- dont cover, can get wet, but not soak and stretch finger immediatley both ways - after stitches out use cream and proceed as I see fit no therapy needed.

I am sure it is different with each of us as far as severity , but she did say i had it bad and the cut was about 4 1/2 inches. so Im sure others are worse off but it does seem to me surgery, although not guaranteed is seems best option.

The recovery time I heard before my surgery was way exagerated or (and I doubt) I just healed fast

I live in Canada and Xiaflex has just become available but no doctors have been trained on it. I was waiting for this but the doctor said it could be another year before she will use it. After reading stories about xiaflex, I dont think I will go that route on my other hand when it is time as it seems a lot more painful and when they talk about grafts...Im not interested

Again I was very comfortable with the doctor I had which is very important as she took time to explain whole process to both myself and my wife (who seemed to listen better then I did)

mobaygirl:

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Gosh so glad to see so many positive stories here. So many of you have been through so much trial and error, I really feel for you. I have just started my journey with DC and so far have mild contracture of my right hand ring finger. i was really scared until I found this group and also bu reading so much here I am going to find another Dr. someone who doesn't want to wait until I have trigger finger before they are willing to act. My current Dr. is standing firm on his perscribed Physical Therapy for this condition and I do not see how that is going help.

mobaygirl,

You might check out Dr. Ericson. Learned NA from Dr. Eaton. To me, that indicates an interest in treating DD and also in learning the latest procedures that are beneficial to patients. http://www.ericsonhand.com