Hi, I don't write often, but I had to share that I finally found something that really helps my LD pain. I have been going to a Podiatrist lately, and he has been trying various things: ultrasound physical therapy, foot massage therapy, icing, stretching, anti-inflammatories of various sorts (ointments and oral pills), local pain killer ointment, Lidoderm patches, shoe inserts, and air cushions for the arch.

He is making orthotics for me as I write this, so I can't comment on those yet, but of the other things, not much did anything until I bought some of those massage shoe inserts that I read about in the Yahoo group forum. I didn't find anything in this forum about them yet, but I imagine someone has already discussed this before.

The only treatments tried by my Podiatrist that did anything were the strectching, and wering air cushions arch supports coupled with Lidoderm patches. I could go most of the day without pain, but I really didn't want to be wearing pain patches everyday. The air cushions are a little weird to walk on, but they weren't bad. Without the patches they didn't help much though.

So I finally ordered the massage inserts ($15 with shipping), and after just three days of wering them, my pain is drastically reduced, and the nodules even seem smaller and less sensitive. I do wear them on top of gel inserts, but I don't think that is crucial, since I was wearing the gel pads before without much benefit. They probably help a little though.

Anyway, I will keep wearing these things to see how much better I feel. Even when I take my shoes off after work the pain is barely noticeable, and I can walk barefoot without pain.

Here is a web site of where I bought them. I got them two days after I ordered them. (They also sell sandals with the same massage sole.

http://www.foottherapy.com/

Has anyone else tried these with success?

I'll let you know later how the ortyhotics work out. If I can't put the massage inserts in at the same time, I will be torn as to what to do.

Regards,

Jack
(48 with LD for 10 yars, DC for 25 years)
(no foot surgery yet, 3 hand surgeries)
(do not intend to get foot surgery unless I can't walk)

Just found this discussion guide today, and I am a little scared about all the unsuccessful surgery stories I've read.
I was first diagnosed with PF with 2 nodules on my left foot in 1997 by a podiatrist here in Hawaii. He recommended that I wear custom orthotics and try to avoid surgery for as long as possible. He was concerned about the after-effects of the scar tissue and did not mention recurrence as his reason for dissuading surgery. Well, they grew slowly but steadily, and by 2000 I was ready to try something else. I went to different podiatrist since I had changed insurance, and she examined my foot and said that surgery was the only way to get rid of the nodules. I did fine with the recuperation, but have noticed that I have hip pain since then, perhaps from walking differently for so long. I now have a few big Q's for anyone out there... Has anyone had success through an operation? I had no idea that it would have been wise to have an orthopedic surgeon do it instead of a podiatrist. Also, lately I'm feeling like one area is doing well ( scarr tissue feeling soft & pliable, no pain) while the site of the other scar tissue feels much bulkier,less pliable with tingling sensation at intermittent times. Should I just live with this? I've read a few items mentioning ultrasound and I'm curious if this is something I need to look into. Thanks to any of you for info you can share.
Warmest aloha, Marla

I can say that I had successful surgery on my left little finger about 10 years ago. The DC has not returned and I have full use of the finger.

Having said that, I must point out that the NA procedures I underwent last week on both hands was nothing short of a miracle.

Also, recovery from NA takes days whereas recovery from surgery takes months.

David sounds like Gary/Sean, saying he knows 'so many people who have DC'. i'm sure!

I figured I would get flamed like Sean/Gary. That is why I did not provide my email address!

I still maintain that the vast majority of individuals who have Dupuytren's surgery have gone on with their lives.