Sure can. See:

http://www.handcenter.org/newfile16.htm

Eaton is an American from Florida, but NA was pioneered by the French. If you can afford a trip to France, this is currently the only way to avoid Open Surgery once you have a contracture. The procedure in France is relatively inexpensive.

Previous surgery can hamper the effectiveness of NA, but you should at least look into this.

We are new to this site so please, please can anyone out there help. My partner is reluctant to consider further surgery as he was very ill last time. We have heard of less invasive, but nevertheless effective techniques being offered in Europe. Can anyone give further info on these techniques?

Hi Monkeyfingers. The information is well set out within this site. The alternatives are there, and, as Randy says NA is available in Paris. I have been and seen it done (to me). It doesn't last, of course, and as I've already written on these forums (do a bit of a trawl) I've now had surgery on one hand (it's holding up well so far) I have an appointment on tuesday in Derby where they now offer NA on the National Health (the only place in the UK, I understand). Well, it's more convenient than Paris, if not so romantic!

Goog luck

Richard

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Where did you have your surgery done Craggy and why did you not choose NA again? The view on this forum seems to be have NA as many times required and avoid open surgery.

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Hi Trev

I had surgery at my local (Macclesfield) hospital carried out by Mr L A Sanz (a good man, who had previously worked on my shoulder (an ACJ dislocation) to good effect, but who is now Consultant for hands, and probably other bits too). I had surgery because the NA (Paris 2004) had not been effective, and I wasn't able to do everything I wanted to with that hand (the little finger being locked rigid at 110deg) So far I'm very pleased with the result (just back from 10 days hard climbing in Greece - no problems), but am under no illusions, and await DC's return, hopefully not so badly, where NA can again be a viable option.

Thanks to you, actually, I contacted Chris Bainbridge, and see him tomorrow to assess my other little finger which is bent, but not so drastically. This was also treated in Paris, and responded better, but is now getting in the way again.

The view of the forum may be what you say it is, but that doesn't mean its the only view. As you have found out, it is difficult to get information from GPs etc as to alternatives to OS in the UK. On the other hand (so to speak) large numbers of people have OS for DC, and are perhaps happy enough with their outcomes, and don't seek out DC websites (or like my sister, they put up with their lot, suffer, and have more surgery - not nice). As I've mentioned before, it's strange that no-one seems to ask for information on Paris/NA anymore. Surely people from the UK aren't flying out to Florida for treatment, are they?!

Cheers

Richard