May I say, that I went to my last PT today, and will be going to the hand surgeon on Thursday. And...The PT guy said, the problem is, that most people ( mostly Men) wait until the fingers are completely contracted before they go to a doctor or to PT ( or OT)
This is where the greatest problems come from. Waiting Too Long. That is where it is so bad when you get there, that you have to have your hand Ripped open, and you need to have skin grafts. He said, most of the people that come in there have already gone to that point.
My final diagnosis today, is, that we did get the tendon relese from the scar tissue, from the trigger finger operation, and , if I do my exersizes, ( and I use a great vibrator on my hand, that works great) I can go a lot longer. But, With the tendon release we did determine that the rest of what I am feeling in pain and stiffness is...the Dupuytren's. I am swollen, and stiff, but it is relieved by massage, and working the hand.
The one point is, that even he said, This is Not a disease that is going to go away. There Is No Cure. At least now now. And, the best thing to do, is treat it with massage, and ward off , for a time, the thing that is surly going to happen.
Just don't Wait for the fingers to curl. Go, when you can't lay the hand down flat anylonger. However, I have been there too, but with the therapy, I seem to be able to pull out for a bit.
You use your own minds about this. Just Don't Wait until it is Really Curled.
I am greatfull for all of your posts.
Thanks, Patty

NA can only be performed when the constricting diseased tissue forms a desrenable cord than can be cut by the needle. Should the contraction be caused by diffuse tissue or a structure than can't be attacked at one or a series of points, NA is useless. Fortunately, DC behaves nicely in this regard and usually presents the surgeon with numerous points where a break in the cord can be made. Only a trained NA practitioner can make the determination as to the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Pictures can be used, rather than an in person evaluation.

Other issues may include the aggressiveness of the disease. As it seems generally accepted that he rate of recurrence will be higher with NA than OS, some believe that some cases should move immediately to OS, with the possible addition of skin grafts to slow the disease. However, NA is still too new to have withstood the riggers of proper North American methodological scrutiny. Don't expect a definitive published report for another 3 years or so. It has only be introduced to the US less than 2 years ago. Amazingly, the very best source of information currently available to laymen exists right here on this Forum.

No that is not NA.

There are only three NA-trained practitioners in the US, Drs Eaton, Zidel, and Pess. A fourth doctor, Dr. Denkler, has researched/practiced NA and begun seeing patients with much success. He is planning to go to Paris in November and a videoclip of his work can be seen on ABC's Channel 7 with Dr. Dean Edell. Google 'New Approach Repairs Bent Fingers with Quick Procedure' to view. Dr. Bourland a fifth NA practitioner was introduced to this forum by a poster but has not publically declared himself an NA practitioner, he is self-taught and to my knowledge has no plans to be Paris-trained.

There is a lot of information on this website about procedure options and training - read it - all of it - right from the begining, then make up your mind. Yes it will take a long time but at the end you will be able to make a completely informed choice about your hands and the treatment you want them to receive.

Take care and God Bless

Frances

Thanks Boomer. I have to admit, it does feel good to use my own nickname. :-)

Frances