Sean,

I haven't had any recurrence in the 'cleared' areas years later. However, very soon after surgery, other areas of the hand suddenly became involved. So my statistically insignificant sample (2 surgeries) suggests that removing the bad tissue does prevent recurrence, but that the trauma of surgery tends to start the process in adjacent areas.

If that's the case, NA offers the converse - minimal trauma, but no removal of bad tissue. So I might expect more recurrence, but less provocation of the disease in adjacent areas.

It's possible that the recurrence statistics we've seen may be skewed to the extent that they only recognize recurrence in the actual area of the sugery.

All just speculation, of course. I suspect there's plenty of misinformation in circulation, and the hard statistical data we're looking for - an unbiased long term followup study on a significant number of randomly selected patients - doesn't exist yet.

Betsy,
I think it is terrific that you had a good experience. Your surgeon has the very best of credentials and obviously knows what he is doing. Will you have follow-up appointments with him? How about physical therapy?
Good luck,
Sean

@Sean :

Even though I don't always agree with everything you say, I have to admire you for still participating in this forum, you being bickered at all the time by so many peope :)

About 'removing all the bad tissue' :
the only 'relevant' thing I read ( I think ) was in the study of Dr Moermans ( end of par 6.5 ) :
".... that fascia deliberately taken by the surgeon at the farthest distance from clearly involved Dupuytren's tissue and representing specimens indistinguishable clinically and histologically from normal palmar fascia, in all cases showed all the biochemical changes seen in Dupuytren's collagen. Even at the ultrastructural level, there was no discernible pathology in the collagen or in the morphology of the cells. The chemical changes were present whether or not myofibroblasts were visible and they occur before the fibroblasts are morphologically modified or replaced by myofibroblasts. This clearly demonstrates that it is unthinkable to surgically remove all the fascia involved by Dupuytren's disease."

@Jim h :
Quoting from your posting :
"All just speculation, of course. I suspect there's plenty of misinformation in circulation, and the hard statistical data we're looking for - an unbiased long term followup study on a significant number of randomly selected patients - doesn't exist yet. "
You couldn't be more right !

@Betsy :
Great !

@all :
When are the personal attacks, by anyone on anyone, are going to stop ???
Asking people to ignore a particular poster ? Censoring ?
Geeezzz, people, we are all in the same boat !

Yes: I did and he only performs SURGERY. The one thing that troubles me about Betsy's procedure is that she really has no idea what was done to her hand? I suggest she question the good Doc as to his utilized method.

having read your posts, it seems to me that you are not telling the whole story of your experience with Dr. Eaton. If Dr. Eaton did not use a knife, what exactly *did* he use. I have examined Dr. Eaton's web site thoroughly, and nowhere does he mention the use of NA. He only mentions surgical procedures as his means of treatment for Dupuytren's contracture. I would caution you in future to be more complete in your explanation of the exact procedure performed on your hand, so as to not raise false hope for a lot of people that read this board. Additionally, if you are trying to help people by "offering your experience", instead of asking interested persons to email you, it would be much more convenient for all concerned if you would just post the information on this forum.

Michael Kempf DDS