I was curious to know if anyone knows how much of this forum is about NA doctors making lots of money while cutting through big costs for them and cutting through insurance red tape? I saw the beginning Links of iterest for the promotion of this forum and I was impressed as to the involvement say Dr. Eaton has invested. I can't say for sure as I am somewhat a skeptic but looks like big money movement. Also having spoke with my Doctor in Boston who is very open minded said he knows many people who have had wonderful results with a good hand surgen. He said they probably wouldn't be spending time on this forum because they had no gripes or were looking for answers like myself who as he put it has the maybe most severe case he could imagine. I can vouch for myself as my hand reacted terrible to surgry. My skin grafts thank God are wonderful but my fingers are beyond repair. He couldn't believe even before any surgery NA would be for me. JUST A THOUGHT
Linda

M
I think a point was missed I was curious about the thoughts promoting this site. I was wondering if the tempory fix is more money motivated and holding back a more permanent cure as in the colaganaze trials or lack of them. The NA seems fine from postings but is so temperory and novacain and a snipping needle is a very extreemly cost efective treatmet for the doctors. I really have no clue as to why the trials are not going forward or even being discussed. I have 2 children and would want their future to have a permanent soloution if needed. I even explored the trials and got no more thanan application to be put on a list and told I may as well be # 1 million. Of course I'm beyond that on my right hand now anyhow. I do hope my kids and others see it in this life time.
Linda

Linda,

The FDA phase III trials of Collagenase injections are in fact underway at StoneyBrook. However, two additional trial sites must be funded as well. Due to lack of $$$$$, our host, BioSpecifics, has apparently partnered with another Bio Tech firm to finish the job. It costs a ton of money to get *any* new drug through the FDA process. Many here have given up hope this will ever be accomplished. I'm an optimist and believe it will. However, it is at least two more years away (again).

In the mean time, this little 33 year old French innovation (NA) is beginning to catch on in the US. Interestingly enough, it does almost the *exact* same thing as Collagenase through *mechanical* means, as opposed to biochemical. The cords are weakened and them snapped by putting pressure on the effected finger. The rate of recurrence, therefore, should be *about* the same between the two similar procedures. The biggest difference is that NA doesn't require FDA approval, so it's good to go *now*. The real "cure" we'd all like is nowhere in sight.

Earlier, we debunked the idea of some that American CHS were *boycotting* NA to preserve their little Dups Surgery Money Machine. Must I now do the math from the *other* perspective and show that US NA practitioners make equivalent $$/hr as with Open Surgery? It's *not* the money.

If the average CHS were just in it for the money, *and* NA was the Gold Mine you suspect, we'd see more than the 5 current American surgeons offering it. We don't because *both* these propositions are false.

Presently, CHS aren't doing NA because they have yet to see what they consider to be respectable clinical evidence that is of value. You see, Linda, until they do, most CHS will not recommend NA for *anyone* and *anytime*. I haven't talked to *one* CHS who respects the French data on NA, regardless of how glowing it is. They are skeptical and aren't about to send their patients off into the unknown. They will only respect data from one of their *own* who uses better methods. That guy now looks to be Eaton at their 2006 convention.

I strongly sympathize with your situation