| Lost password
552 users onlineYou are not loggend in.  Login
Dupuytrens
 1
 1
09/21/2014 08:26
PatSYDNEY 
09/21/2014 08:26
PatSYDNEY 
Dupuytrens

I have over approx 20 years slowly developed curling in of the 2 middle fingers on my left hand and my little finger on my right hand. My age is 60. My mother, uncle and grand uncle all had similar, though much more severe. They accepted it and did nothing about it.
About 5 years ago I asked my doctor about it. He said it was dupuytrens. I looked it up on the internet. At that time surgeryseemed the only way to straighten my fingers. As it did not bother me I did no more.
However at the end of last year it was starting to bother me. . . .
I went back to internet and found out that there may be a non surgery option.
I asked my doctor for a referral to a specialist. I had a consultation with the specialist in January 2014. He said hand / finger surgery was the way to go. As he explained what was proposed I started to freak out. I was not ready for surgery. I asked if he could offer any other alternative ? He did not think injections or na would be the best solution. He only does surgery.
As it was not bothering me enough to commit to surgery, I let it slide
In the last few months it has gotten worse and now I have to do something as I am loosing full use of my left hand. My right little finger I can live with as it is.
So I am back checking the internet and found this forum. I want to explore injections and or AN. I have found 2 doctors that do AN and 2 that can offer injections here in Sydney. I will ask my doctor to give me a referral.
I request if anyone has personal experience of the procedures here in Sydney to tell me about your experience as it will help me in moving forward.
Thanks

09/21/2014 10:57
Seph 
09/21/2014 10:57
Seph 

Re: Dupuytrens

Pat; You will find that the Australian hand surgeons, some years back, decided that NA was not safe and the only procedure they would follow is full surgery. 10 years or so back Dr Beard told me that there were no alternatives to surgery even though he knew about NA at the time.

I can't explain why they have this view except to say that they are hand surgeons and they like to do surgery.

I have had DD for more than 40 years. I have had surgery once and NA five times.

NA takes about 20 minutes and while it is uncomfortable the results are immediate. Need to keep the hand clean and dry for a couple of days and avoid lifting anything heavy for a couple of weeks and thats it. The trouble with NA is that the DD does come back but you just do the NA again.

All my NA procedures have been done in Paris where the doctors are experienced in NA and it is not expensive.

In Sydney Dr David Dilley now does 4 NA procedures every second Tuesday. I am having an NA procedure done next Tuesday.

It may be worthwhile paying him a visit. Phone number is (02) 9687 8735

09/22/2014 11:28
PatSYDNEY 
09/22/2014 11:28
PatSYDNEY 
Re: Dupuytrens

Seph.. Many thanks for reply and information. I will now make an appointment to see Dr Dilley asap. Hope all goes well for you.

Edited 09/23/14 09:08

09/22/2014 11:32
PatSYDNEY 
09/22/2014 11:32
PatSYDNEY 
Re: Dupuytrens

Seph...
Thanks again for information I now have an appointment with Dr Dilley.

Edited 09/23/14 09:12

09/30/2014 07:07
Seph 
09/30/2014 07:07
Seph 

Re: Dupuytrens

Pat; I had my first NA procedure with Dr Dilley earlier today. All went well. Released the ring finger in my right hand and got some improvement in my little finger.

This was my 6th time with NA and the third time for those two fingers. And my third doctor.

I expect I will now be seeing Dr Dilley every 12 months or so for repeat procedures. Looks like my trips to Paris for NA are over.

10/01/2014 10:39
PatSYDNEY 
10/01/2014 10:39
PatSYDNEY 
Re: Dupuytrens

Hi Seph.
Great to hear na went well. Hope it helps for a long time.
You mentioned you may have to go back every year for na.
Is this for the same fingers or other fingers ?
I met Dr Dilley and now I am having my left hand xrays to bring to next meeting.
Hope to know more about options then.

10/01/2014 12:14
Seph 
10/01/2014 12:14
Seph 

Re: Dupuytrens

Hi Pat; Bear in mind that I have had this disease for more than 45 years. So far surgery one foot and one hand. NA now six time. 4 times on the same two fingers on my right hand but with the cords in different locations. 2 times on my left hand.

My left hand has less contracture but looks like it is going to give me more problems out ahead as the mass off DD is all over the place. No cords just continuous nodules.

Currently feeling good about Dr Dilley's work.

If he is sending you for Xrays is he questioning your DD diagnosis?

Seph

10/02/2014 04:46
PatSYDNEY 
10/02/2014 04:46
PatSYDNEY 
Re: Dupuytrens

Hi Seph.
The xrays are to check for arthritis. The knuckle on my ring finger is tender and recently is painful. Dr wants to check before trying to make finger straight. Cords are now prominent in my palm for 2 middle fingers. The cords were not obvious to me last Jan. I am loosing grip power in my hand. The 2 sides of my hand are being forced together becoming claw like. This I think is causing pressure on my knuckles and resultant pain and tenderness. The lumps ( nodules ? ) where my fingers join my palm have been around for years.

10/02/2014 06:47
GaryBall 
10/02/2014 06:47
GaryBall 
Re: Dupuytrens

Seph:
Pat; I had my first NA procedure with Dr Dilley earlier today. All went well. Released the ring finger in my right hand and got some improvement in my little finger.

This was my 6th time with NA and the third time for those two fingers. And my third doctor.

I expect I will now be seeing Dr Dilley every 12 months or so for repeat procedures. Looks like my trips to Paris for NA are over.


...So you re happy.....great news Seph.....maybe not so good for Quantas shareholders...

Gazza

 1
 1
fingers   Dupuytrens   uncomfortable   experienced   consultation   surgeryseemed   injections   alternative   procedure   appointment   experience   improvement   specialist   contracture   information   alternatives   procedures   surgery   questioning   shareholders