What is the success rate of NA? How long before DC starts to come back? I am sure that it differs for each individual but what are the statistics? From what I have read here it seems to be all pro. What are the cons?

Got Dups the hard way,

Dyingbreed45

For additional in-depth reading on Open Surgery and NA see Dr. Eaton's site. His Pub Med references go on for days. You will learn quite a lot. http://www.handcenter.org/newfile16.htm

Yes, in almost all regards NA is superior to Open Surgery except for one significant issue. Recurrence is more of a problem, though there are no reliable statistics on that as yet. That will require a long team study of >5 years which will cost money. Eaton is expected to offer what clinical data he has once enough of his patients reach that time period. I am one of them and getting close.

I think only truly scientific way to study recurrence rate differences would be to randomly assign a significant population of subjects to either an OS or NA group and then track them for five to ten years. Who would benefit financially from such an expensive study? I can't think of anyone so I doubt it will be funded.

What probably will be studies is Collegenase once is passes FDA. It too is subject to higher recurrence rates because it does not remove Dups tissue, just breaks it to release the finger(s). I would imagine those holding the patient would want to show that recurrance is at an acceptable level.

Right now what *really* counts is how well any particular individual does with NA. The idea is to try NA first and see if your recurrence is acceptable for you in particular. If not, there are plenty of CHS eager to take the next step and perform OS. The *real* question we all need to ask is what is the downside of trying NA *first*, leaving OS as a fall back position. I have yet to hear a convincing argument as to what the downside might be. I will have NA (or Collegenase) until it not longer does the job. One OS has already been more than enough for me. :-)

It has been 4 years since Dr. Eaton straighted out my little finger. It remains straight. I email Dr. Eaton pictures of my hand every 3 months. I do not know how many of his patiences continue to send him post NA pictues.

Thank you Randy,Wolfgang, Charlie

I have to agree that a less invasive procedure beats an OS because less trauma to the hand is a good thing.
To have a wonderful site like this to gain knowledge is a real benefit for those who know little about DC. Never would I have dreamed up such a disease to take over my hand in a sense.

I have stated before this disease was caused from my hand being crushed at work. Yes trauma did cause me to get DC. Not all cases are from trauma but from just having the genetic factor. I read about another case that a man from repetitive use of his hand and the tool he used being forced into his palm brought DC on in his hand. There may be only so many cases that have been accepted for causing DC. This will be debated for many years because there is little known or accepted cases where trauma was the cause.

What my thoughts are is that since there is more of a genetic factor that DC will be more of a heredity thought disease until further studies are performed.

A physician is the best way to find out what procedure is best since I have scar tissue that is not DC in the area where my hand was crushed correct?

Got Dups the hard way,

Dyingbreed45

Hi Diane,
That sounds like a good idea.
Are you the farmer lady?