For those with DC needing information of Physicans that perform the Needle Apronerotomy in the United States the following list is posted to assist you with your Dupuytren's Contracture problem - locating a physican:

Dr. william Bourland, The Hand Clinic, 1048 Cresthaven Road, Suite 400, Memphis, Tennessee 38119
Phone: 901.259.1600

Dr. Keith Denkler
275 Magnolia Avenue
Larksppar, California 94939
Phone: 415.924.6010

Drs. Charles Eaton and Paul Zidel, The Hand Center, 1002 Old Dixie Hwy., Suite 105, Jupiter, Florida 33458
Phone: 561.746.3420

Dr. Gary Pess, Central Jersey Hand Surgery, 2 Industral Way West, Eatontown, New Jersey 07724 Ph: 732.542.4477

Thomas,

I agree. It makes perfect sense that in the hands of experienced CHS, NA may go to the next level of safety and effectiveness. Already Dr. E. has brought some standardization to the procedure and improved the methodology he leaned from Dr. L in Paris. And his success has encouraged others to follow suit.

But here is the problem. "Needle Release", as it is applied to Dups, is apparently not Rocket Science, as Denkler and Bourland are essentially self taught. Bourland doesn't see the need for personal input from the French. And interestingly, Eaton's first NA was done *before* he visited Dr. L in France. He just watched Walt's video and decided to give it a go on the patient who brought him the CD (If you know the CHS mindset, that's Amazing!) He subsequently went to Paris for more insight. He, Dr. Zidel and Dr. Press are all on record stating that the French "instruction " was of significant value. Most long time posters here (who got this whole thing *started* in the first place) generally agree that some NA training is needed from *someone* with experience before CHS jump in. However, here is what Eaton told me, and states on his site:

Is Dr. Eaton training other surgeons in this technique? Not yet. Why? Medical liability. Because The Hand Center is a free standing institute without the legal shelter of a university teaching center, all legal experts have advised against training in NA at The Hand Center until the procedure is in "common use" in the United States - a real catch-22. Dr. Eaton is working on an alternative approach to instruct to his hand surgery colleagues at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand in the fall of 2006.

So, it would seem that until the Fall of 2006, new NA practitioners will either: 1) Have gone to Paris, OR 2) Be "self taught". Again, not Brain Surgery, and Eaton did his first with zero personal instruction. However, it seems to me that the slower more conservative growth would be preferable to a lot self taught doctors that may pollute NA's extremely good track record in the US. The NA movement is still vulnerable to any Negative Spin that would only reinforce the generally negative reputation NA still has among uninformed CHS.

Hopefully, after 2006, Eaton will have snatched the Pebble from Dr. L's hand and "Paris" will be a thing of the past. I feel the movement is right on track and going to unfold in the US slowly but effectively.

Yes Francis,

For whatever reason, those of us who are working to see NA accepted as the first line of defense against our disease catch some very strange underhanded flack here on the only site that is making a difference to that end. I think it comes from members of the Flat Earth Society, assigned here to keep the status quo. What's up with that?

But it is of no concern. Your continued presence here will help finish the job regardless. And then, as you say, what will we have left to do?

It's b-b-baaaaaaack!

I had an appointment with Dr. E. in Fla and then cancelled it when I found out Dr. L. was the source of the procedure and operated near my Paris itinerary June 2005. After suffering through two hand surgeries and physical therapy 15 years ago on my right hand for DC, I decided to go to Dr. L. in Gagny to correct the new problem in my left hand. My left hand had only 140 degrees open mobility. Dr. L. did 5 procedures on the left hand in one sitting which immediately restored my hand to full 180 open mobility. Total cost $94 (80 Euros). I was in and out of his office in 1 hour and removed the bandages in 2 days. I finished my month long vacation in Europe very impressed with this procedure and would recommend it to anyone with DC.