Oops, sorry about the repeat. I have had surgery on left pinkie twice in three years. I had two different surgeons since I moved halfway across the country in the interim. Both used a general anesthetic. The stated reason was that my bands were running along the nerve bundle and my hand needed to be fully relaxed and still. Both took 2-3 hours. I think it would have been difficult and uncomfortable to be still and conscious for that amount of time. So if your procedure will take very long, I highly recommend the general. Tell the anesthesiologist if you are prone to nausea as they have some great new drugs for it. FYI, the first surgery had a good result but the Dups band grew back about a year later. Second surgery was a bigger deal involving both the PIP and DIP joints. I am now in PT from the second and doing well. Hope I never need another surgery but if I do, will take the general if given a choice.

just curious...has anyone had the full thickness skin graft across the width of the palm from the side of the hand by the pinky over towards the index finger? Dr Ketchum, a leader in the field, says that this extensive surgery removes the chance for a band to reappear and grow around smaller surgical incisions. Just curious if any has had good/bad experiences with this.

I have never used a chat room before so please help. I have a bad case of DC in my right hand and it is starting very rapidly in my left. My pinkie in my right hand is now bent completly backwords. I work out with weights daily and it has been bothering me for years. Just in the last few days the pain is unbareable. I think it has become infected. I know I need surgery but was told about a DR. Hurst and also about a doctor in Fla who have alternatives. Can anyone help

I had conventional surgery in early May. I never had any pain. My doc gave me a perscription for vicodin, but I never took any. I went about my normal routine the next day.

Bandage and stitches were removed after 10 days, and I was completely healed up after another 10 days.

bill

Right Anon,
Everyone is different. Some, have no pain, others do. There is no accounting for the stiffness and pain that some of us encounter, and other's don't.
I have the pain and stifness, and, my friend that has it, does not. She did , however develope it in one foot, and has a terrible problem with that. When I asked her to show me her hands, I saw cords and nodules in both hands. She has no pain nor stifness in her hands. I think, it is only a matter of time for that.
I am working very hard on this, and to keep my hand working.
Funny though, when I was in PT....They measured my grip strength , and , it was the same in each hand. But, when he went to my other hand, he also Found Other Nodules in that hand. The Grip strength in each hand, was only 60 percent. I was gripping as TIGHT AND STRONG AS I COULD...
We all know this is not cureable, it would just be nice to know, that we have options to slow it down, and treat it.
Thanks for all of your input.
Patty