Hello,

I was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago with Dupuytren's Contracture in both hands. My little finger on my right hand is 60% curved and my little finger on my left hand is 40% curved. My doctor wants me to have surgery immediately (within the next couple of months). He has also found nodules beginning under my ring and middle fingers as well as my thumbs. The pictures here scare me and I'm afraid to have the surgery. I am an artist and I'm terrified of losing my ability to paint.

Also, a friend of mine sent me this link:

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-relea...mmercialize-xia

I really need some advice. I'm the only person in my family who has this disease. I am a 59 year old female and I feel like I got gypped.

Nancy

Thank you so much for your answer. I happen to live in Santa Cruz so Larkspur is not that far. I will contact Dr. Denkler. Thank you again.

Xiaflex will receive FDA decision by August 28 of this year and if approved company says it will be set for US distribution 60 days later.

I have used Denkler twice and highly recommend him. First procedure in July of "07 was on both hands. One hand is still doing very will but second hand was redone in "08 and is again growing.

In both instances the recovery from NA was minimal. I could have played golf a few days after the procedure.

Interesting! I'm also a 59 year old female artist with Dupuytren's.

My father has extensive DC and has had both surgery on multiple fingers, then NA on one finger with Dr. Denkler. The NA finger has curved again but is not as bad as it was. As Dad is almost 87 he's decided not to bother having it done again. My sister has DC in both hands plus Ledderhose's disease.

I switched from watercolor to oil several years ago because of the problems with my hands. I did all my own framing and found that the matt cutter, wall cutter, etc. really aggravated the cords. Framing an oil is so much easier - wish I'd made the switch earlier. Do you also use framing tools? I wonder if this aggravates the DC.

I have cords on both hands/multiple fingers, but the only one curving and causing a problem is my left ring finger. It's curving at the PIP joint - which Dr. Denkler has told me can't be helped by NA. It's my understanding that the new enzyme treatment doesn't help the PIP joint either. I think I'd suffer through the surgery just to get rid of the ache in my palm. It's particularly bad at night.

I broke my right wrist three years ago - and managed to paint in spite of a splint to my elbow. Where there's a will there's a way!

Glad to hear there's another doc in California willing to step out and do what's best for patients. I love Dr. Denkler. He did NA for me in March, however you're more convenient since my son lives in Alamo.
I have a planning appointment for RA on Thursday with Dr. T at Scripps/La Jolla. I hope that stops the progression of my Dups. If not, I'm glad to have your contact information because it'll be NA again for me if/when contracture begins again.