Discovered this web site yesterday and have spent some hours going through it. Have also read all the information on Dr.Eaton's site. To those of you who have posted here just to provide helpful information for others, thanks!

I'm a 73 year old, caucasian, male with a right hand ring finger that hangs downward a good 45 degrees, maybe 60, when the other fingers of the hand are fully extended. I have a pea-like nodule at the inner base of the finger (no pain) and a distinct, raised cord running from the base of the finger across most of the palm. This started 10-15 years ago with the cord in the palm and has progressed to the present state. My GP has said don't worry about it until you can't put your hand in your pocket. Well, I'm at the point where I have difficulty slipping my hand into my back, hip pocket. By the way, during the last two or three years I have attempted to retard the progression of the finger curvature by wearing a home made "torture device" (as I cal it), but I learn from Eaton's web site that this is a no-no. I asked my GP about this some time ago, and he said it could do no harm?!

I was very pleased to learn of Eaton and his NA work. So I'd like to ask a few questions. Hopefully, some of you will take a crack at a few of them.

Can anyone else shed any light on the pros and cons of "torture devices" to straighten the finger? I note that they are used after surgery and after NA procedures.

What's the average time interval between the first NA procedure and the need for a second treatment? I get the impression that it's just a few years.

Does Eaton's office charge for a pre-screening conversatin on the phone to attempt to ascertain one's condition and whether or not they can help him? A charge for this?

I gather that the procedure is covered by Medicare.(?)

Why do you suppose that hand surgeons have not adopted this technique? If NA really works, I find this very puzzling. Do medical conservatism and greed fully explain this?

Kevin, I went to your web site to read your theory. Interesting! Obviously, you have researched the topic. But you don't say anything about your credentials. Medical person? Simply an interested layman?

Again, thanks for your posts.

Bob

Bob,

I e-mailed Dr. Eaton some pictures of my hand and there was no charge. His office responded that I'm a candidate for the NA procedure and I have an appointment in a few weeks. I understand from others on the site that he does accept medicare.

It will be interesting to see the data generated that
shows conclusiveely that NA patients suffer more frequent recurrance.
Does this study include any consideration of the ease and nearly pain free NA compared with splints and months of physical therapy ?

This is a direct copy from the referenced site
"IS NEEDLE APONEVROTOMY AS EFFECTIVE AS SURGERY ?



A comparison of medical fasciotomy with surgical fasciectomy, reported in 1993 (Badois and Coll.), showed that short-term outcomes were comparable.

The five-year recurrence rate is high (>50%) with both procedures, however, needle fasciotomy can be repeated as often as needed, whereas start again surgical procedure is hazardous. "

Dear Sean,

Your surgeon seldom saw a person more then once? I don't believe that statement. DC reoccurs, whether it be with NA or surgery and surgery is so much more invasive and traumatic to the hand that for me NA is the only way to go.

We have read story after story of scaring, months and months of physio, and skin grafts, all relating to surgery. Yes, there are many surgeries that go well, but multiple surgies over the course of a life time can be devistating to the hand where as multiple NA's will not be.

Yes, I'm not surprised that there is a perception that Dr. Badois's patients were picked, we have already heard, and know - NA is not for everyone - as is the case with ANY medical procedure.

Please provide balance when posting.

observer