Had a look at the NICE website and the bottom line is they seem to begrudgingly accept the use of NA as a treatment (they refer to it as Needle Fasciotomy).

Interventional Procedure Guidance 43 dated Feb 2004 states:"GUIDANCE 1.1 Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of needle fasciotomy for Dupuytren's contracture appears adequate to support the use of the procedure, provided that normal arrangements are in place for consent, audit and clinical governance".

In another publication overview they quote a number of "Non controlled studies" including one from Badois.

What is interesting is the comment sections from each "study" they range from - "Limited information". "unclear when complications were recorded".
"no detail of severity of Dupuytren's contracture in the study population". "Limited information is presented on patient characteristics". And so on.

Later today I will be emailing the Project Manager at nice.org to ask if there has been any Controlled Study made and if not, why not. Surely they must see NA/ NF treatment would be much less expensive for the NHS than OS

SteveX

Hi Marjorie, thanks for your info, You mention a consultant in your local Hospital who does NA. Can you give any more details? Sorry if you have already done so on a previous post. I was under the impression that no UK Surgeon practices this treatment.

On the subject of NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellance) I have not heard back yet from the Project Manager. However I also completed a form for "Suggest a Topic" on their website and have received an acknowledgement of my suggestion. They will get back to me within 6 weeks to see if they are not already dealing with this subject.

In my suggestion, I have asked that they review their exsisting information on Needle Fasciotomy (their description of NA) as it seems to be a couple of years out of date. Also to consider DC patients experiences of this alternative treatment. I asked them to check out this forum for first hand knowledge from actual patients.

I will wait and see what their response will be.

Sending a letter to your MP is a good idea. Having read quite a few threads on this forum, some earlier ones dating back to 2003. I noticed patients had no choice for NA in the USA but now there are a few Doctors practicing it today... How was it acheived?

I believe most UK hand surgeons are simply not aware of this alternative treatment for DC.

So I agree with you, if more UK patients can refer their GP's, MP's etc to some of the websites of US or French NA practitioners, all the better.

Best wishes SteveX

Hello again Steve.
Web page www.local6.com
click on site/keyword at top left of page, click on search

Hi Marjorie, thanks for the info. I checked out the website www.local6.com as you suggested. I now understand how the US surgeons were introduced to NA treatment.

You mentioned in your earlier post of a British Surgeon offering you "Simple Fasciotomy" Is he working in Greater Manchester, in Britain?

Hello Majorie,

I have relatively mild, but significantly progressive DC in the one hand.

May I ask, do you consider your operation with Dr Lermusiaux to have been a success? Also, could I ask why you choose Dr Lermusiaux (and, say, not Dr Badois) to perform your NA?

Also, I would be most interested to hear of your any developments with your good work in having the NHS fund your operation and/or travel expenses.

Best Wishes,

Ellie.