Brian

My little pinky had progressed to Stage IV
over the years. It was at an 185 degree angle
when I had my first NA. (IT is now 45 degrees)
At the rate it originally was contracting, that
finger would have started to grow back into the
palm requiring major surgery or amputation.
Don't want to be an alarmist though, as the
contracting process ,fortunately, is a very slow
process!

first thanks for both of your responses.

Paulette,
Yes, I'd be curious as to what the precentage is of those who need no further treatment and those who additional NA and how much time passed from thier first NA until more was needed. There must be some studies somewhere on this, i'd like to read them.

Alan,
I remeber when I first went to a doctor at the begining of my DC. it was a little over 4 years ago andmy pinky had not even been effect yet. I remember the doctor telling me that it will eventually have to be treated or amputation of at least one finger may be needed. I'm just wondering if NA is more relief than a treatment and although it may FEEL better the problem remains and could get worse. You know one can break his leg and be given strong enough pain medicine were he feels fine, but the break is still there and if left untreated could become crippling. I'm in no way putting down NA. I'm going to have it done at the end of November. I'm just thinking out loud.

My DC began about ten years ago with slow growth. It accelerated about three years ago and I associate that with the time I began taking glucosomin/chondroitin (other topics on the forum support that view, even though it is not scientific). I had NA several weeks ago--I wish it had been done earlier, not only because it corrected most of the problem, but because it could have been corrected more completely before my PIP joints were involved. My Orthopedist thankfully resisted treating it surgically (before I was aware of this forum and learned about NA). NA is not a cure, as has been stated here, but neither is it just a bandaid over the problem. It is a less-invasive means of correcting--however temporarily (and that varies from person to person)--the contractures. The treatment can be repeated far more easily than surgery (my Ortho says repeat surgery is not a question of "if" but only of "when"), but Dr Eaton does advise when he no longer believes NA will suffice. Surgery is also not a cure, is far more problematic due to scar tissue and far longer recovery times, and as far as I am concerned, best left for some future time if NA is no longer effective. I pray that before that time perhaps there will be a cure for treating the problem rather than correcting the symptoms. Hope this helps.