Hi John,

are you sure that NA is ruled out? The size of the nodule is probably less important than which finger is bent how much. Maybe it would make sense to send a picture by e-mail to one of the doctors, either in the US or France.

If your Dupuytren is progressing very rapidly radiotherapy might be able to slow it down, at least it worked for me. After surgery I had a very agressive growth that now, after radiotherapy, refrains to moderate growth.

For me surgery caused slight problems in handling things with the operated hand. Basically my hand works but sometimes I drop something from the fork, that kind of thing.

If I were you I would first thing talk to a specialist for NA.

Wolfgang

Dave, your posts highlights another advantage of NA: classical surgrey might trigger Dupuytren growth while NA, due to the much, much smaller wound, most likely doesn't. After surgery did your Dupuytren grow again in the operated area or did it show up in new areas?

Wolfgang

Quote:

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John,

I am an upright bass player, age 52. In 1994 my DC had progressed to the point that I could no longer spread my left hand sufficiently to play in tune. I underwent a fasciectomy at a respected hand center in Baltimore, MD., a procedure I would niether repeat nor recommend. It was over 5 months before I could play again and the disease was already observed to be recurring during my post-op visits. The disease progressed until I was again unable to play.

In 2005 I had NA performed by Dr. Gary Pess in Eatontown, NJ. I was very happy with the doctor and his staff. The procedure was quick and very efective - I actually drove home and played my instrument that evening! After the procedure and physical therapy I was again able to play with proper technique.

Of course, I am not cured - the disease continues to affect my hand and playing.


Dave

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"I know the NA procedure is out, due to the big nodules."

Piano Guy:

It's not the nodules in the palm or even a finger that causes the problem. It's the cord that passes through a joint and bends it. You'd be surprised how a good NA guy can find the cord among the nodules. Also, the nodules can be injected with cortisone and significantly reduced over about a three moth period.

Eaton/Denker/Press made their case before their colleagues at last years meeting of the American Society of Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) that NA should be added to the arsenal as the first line of defense before resorting to Open Surgery. If you actually need surgery because NA is ruled out in your case, then so be it. However, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. NA is quite impressive.

I've had both OS and NA. My (semi pro) drumming has not been too badly effected by the OS I had over three year ago. I can still grip the stick well. However, my typing is off by about 50%, and that is what *I* do for a living. Not good. I very much wish my surgeon had been an NA proponent. I'll bet dollars to donuts that I'd still be typing 60 words a minute.

John,

I'm a piano player as well with DD. I've played for 40-some years. I had severe PIP joint bending in my left little finger ... 95 degrees. I had a normal release surgery about four years ago but it came back to 95 again. I compensated with some awkward hand movements but the bend in the finger made octaves and other moves very hard. For instance, I would instinctively reach for a low C and my finger would play the D because it was bent.

However, I had the NA procedure done in April and I've been wowed. It took the bend from 95 to 25, and therapy opened that up to 18. As for the piano, I played the day before I went in for the NA just for old times sakes. Amazingly, I played again two days later. I should stress, there was, and is, no lack of dexterity, just a lack of reach caused by the contracture. I should note I had a large nodule as well. The doc thought I should've come in earlier but he was pleased with the success.

Months later, I'm still going strong. Played for 90 minutes yesterday. I do have to build my hand strength back up but I lost it only because my playing time decreased as the bend in my finger increased. My finger will never be totally straight, but at around 20 degrees bend, I'm having no trouble playing everything I use to play. I'm having the NA procedure done on my right hand this August.

I should note, as a cartoonist, I use my hands for a living as well. The lefthand procedure was a good test. I feel so good about it that I'm moving full speed ahead with the NA procedure on my right (drawing) hand as well.

I'm 50. There is hope. Good luck.

dave

Randy,

Dr. Pess in New Jersey did my NA.


dave