Carol,

There must be some misunderstanding here. No CHS is going to look at new Dups nodules and predict that they will "go away". At least one would hope not. They don't. And yes, the experience of many on this board is that the trauma of Open Surgery can in some cases trigger a flair reaction of renewed growth. It's a case of *your* particular biology reacting to your particular surgery. It's a very unfortunately reaction to surgery that does happen to some.

A certain type of Cortisone injections can help with the pain as well as calm the nodules down. Most NA practitioners apply Cortisone after a procedure and some doctors will apply it alone.

Unfortunately may of us have learned to live with some pain from nodules. Obviously you'll want to try the less invasive approach (NA) should you need another procedure. Read this board vigorously for other suggestions.

Hi! I turned 50 a couple of weeks ago. I just discovered today that I have this strange disease. A girl I work with is studying accupuncture and must have talked to someone in her class about my "crooked finger". So when she told me she had figured out what I had I was elated. But not terribly thrilled with the solutions. I've not been to a doctor yet, but since I live in Houston, TX., I'm blessed to have some of the best orthopedic surgeons in my back yard. I had a morton's neuroma removed from my left foot in my mid 20's. Interesting that this has aflicted my left index finger. I work it a lot to keep it straight. The few malaties I've had in my life have been strange, unusual and some rare. None fatal thank God. I also have a small hole at the top of my nose, justbelow my brow bone. And gues what? That sucker is on the left side! This is getting weird. Anyway, my dermatologist had somewhat of a difficult time diagnosing my hole because they are fairly uncommon. The best I can remember he called it something like a giant weiner pore. The "weiner" came from the man who had first observed one.

I have searched the web for info on this little jewel but to no availe.(sp ?)

Anyone know an ampidexterous surgeon who could possibly do my hand and forehead at the same time?

I have a lot of German-Bohunk blood in me. My dad was a carpenter and although he nearly sliced off two fingers, I don't recall him having a bent finger. I'll have to ask my mom since my father died many years ago.

I do have high blood pressure, but I keep it under relative control with drugs.

I guess the one thing I find interesting is the fact I have a long history of migraines. But I'm fortunate in that I always have "pre-trauma" and am able to stop the migraine before it becomes full blown. But I've also heard there is some sort of link with strokes and people who have "pre-trauma" That's encouraging, isn't it? I honestly thought my funky finger may have been the result of a mild stroke I think I may have experienced 4 - 5 years ago. And I do mean mild. I never went to the doctor because I figured the nerve damage had already been done and there would be little they could do to reverse it.

While it seems to have only affected my ability to do every day little things, it really has bugged me mentally. I exercise this finger and often stop what I'm doing and deliberately make it straighten out.

I doubt I'll make an appt. with a dr. tomorrow, I am somewhat relieved to know it is a medical condition that seems highly treatable, especially with surgery.

I had the morton's neuroma surgically removed from my foot as outpatient surgery and kicked myself for not having it done sooner because of the relief it provided. I don't have any pain associated with the crooked finger nor can I seem to see any nodules. But that finger is slightly swollen most of the time.

I hope I haven't bored anyone to sleep. Thanks for listening. And I would love to hear from any and/or all of you.

Sincerely,

Mary

My step-father was diagnosed with DC last year after going 10 years thinking he had arthritis...He had hand surgery by someone who was not FT, and his outcome is not good. He now has complete immobility of the hand that had the surgery, and his other hand is fully engulfed with DC as well. Also, he has developed Complex Regional Pain syndrome and is undergoing nerve deadening to try to decrease the pain he has. Then he fell and broke the wrist in the surgery hand to-boot.

I am thrilled to see Ontario OR has a surgeon, as we live in Eastern Or. I look forward to having a FT surgeon review our case and see if more can be done to help him.

I appreciated finding this site and the information you have shared.

Jenn: surgery is usually done only when the finger is - at least ! - contracted by 15 to 20 degrees. Personally I would recommend to have NA first. I had surgery myself, was not as lucky Sean but agree that it is a viable option provided the surgeon is an expert.

NA is much cheaper than surgery therefore having nA might still turn out to be the better deal, even if you travel. If you fly to Paris it might cost 1,000 USD plus 100 USD for the treatment. Surgery is probably more expensive.

Where are you living? Maybe there is a NA doctor even close to you. NA would have the advantage of usually very quick recovery.

I guess occasional drinking is probably OK, not for liver, brain or social contacts but at least with Dupuytren. Have manual labour might actually be a hazard and, if possibly, your husband mightconsider to change to less heavy work.

Wolfgang

Jenn, I don't know what your insurance would cover. Certainly worth finding out. I don't want to "sell" NA, everyone ought to decide for himself, but usually NA has less side effects and recovcery is much faster.

Susan is keeping a "Lists of surgeons performung NA" (that's the name of the thread). Open this thread, scroll down a view posts and you will find the latest list. I am not good enough in US geography to tell who would be closest.

Wolfgang