Hi Phil, glad to hear that your treatment in Essen is proceeding well! For frozen shoulder it is sometimes sufficient to get a cortizone shot and a little exercise to remove the blockage. I guess it depends on why and how strongly the shoulder is frozen. "Frozen shoulder" is a symptom oriented description, it might have a variety of root causes. We provide a few comments on our web site, though a little hidden under "The disease" -> "IPP and others" ...

Wolfgang

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Hi Nigel et al-and thanks for great diary of your treatment in Essen-I too have found the treatment there to be first class.I return march 24th for my second 5 sesions of radiotherapy-and it looks from your posting that I`d better take my hand cream.Did you try aloevera or vitamin E?I had virtually no side effects after the first 5 treatments except for slightly drier skin which I doused with Vit E ,Aloe Vera and Zinc and Castor Oil--That seemed to work well.The treatment sems to be effective with the lumps reduced in size and the cords softened-but I`ll wait for Prof Seegenschmiedt`s assessment.Also,I agree with you on the good value of such a proven treatment at 400 euro`s.I tried for a referall from my UK GP -but he said it wasn`t possible-so like you I`ve paid for the treatment myself-it has been a lot cheaper than the 60 or so acupuncture treatments I tried before discovering radiotherapy.By the way have you been getting symptoms of Frozen Shoulder-mine started a couple pf months ago in my right shoulder? ...
Phil

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I had a NA procedure performed by Dr. Denkler on both hands yesterday and during the pre-consult I mentioned my intention ro follow up the NA cord release with radiotherapy in Essen.

Dr. Denkler highly approved this complimentary treatment as a way to halt the future progression of the disease. As the cost of the actual radiotherapy is about equal to a future NA procedure (except for travel - but then I love traveling to Germany).

With regard to post-radiotherapy skin treatments aloe vera and other remedies that are used for UV skin damage may be helpful except they only deal with the outer skin layers. The urea in any topical treatment is to assist with penetration of the skin of the elements being administered and provides no value by itself.

I would suspect that DMSO properly applied (must be done in a very hygienic manner) would help as it assists cells with the removal of cell waste and assists with reducing internal scare tissue in joints. More information is available in book form - DMSO by Dr. Moton Walker. Initial research goes back to the 1960's and the pioneering work of Dr. Stanley W. Jacob at the University of Oregon Medical School.

Bruce

Another short note based on comments make by Dr. Denkler during my visit yesterday for NA on my hands. I had already done some research ant felt that at my age of 56 even if I developed cancer 20 years from now as a result of radiotherapy, it would not really matter. If I am alive at age 76 I would still have treatment options.

Sr. Denkler mentioned that the risk of complications are greatly reduced with Dupuytrens as no organ tissue (though technically skin is an organ) is radiated as compared to most other uses of radiotherapy. So I view radiotherapy as relatively low cost, low risk, minimal time away from work, and high rate of success form of treatment.

Bruce

Hi Phil

Glad to hear all went well. The main obstacle I felt was organising the first visit. Once you've been once and become comfortable with getting around, etc, the next time is easy, and something to look forward to if you can include some sightseeing, etc. The return flight from East Midlands to Cologne was about £40 and lodgings about £14 per night so it is not expensive and, as you say, compared to surgery eminently preferable.

Nigel

Hi Phil

My hand is doing fine. I finished treatment January 2006. The cord in my palm is nice and soft. The 2 nodules are still there but there is no pain now and they have not changed. The skin around the little finger is drier than it used to be but a price well worth paying. I would recommend radiotherapy in Essen to anyone, especially if they are in the early stages.

Nigel