Hi Folks,

Just had my first NA procedure today. It was with Dr. Keith Denkler
in Larksur CA and it was a wonderful experience! Dr Denkler was
very kind and took a lot of time thoroughly explaining everything
about the procedure to my wife and myself.

My Dupuytren's started in 2000 and I discovered this forum shortly
after. I initially thought I would go to France or Dr Eaton
in FL but held off as I did not have a contracture, just a thickening
in my left palm and a nodule beneath my left pinky.

I'm a professional guitar player and was a little leery of doing
anything to my hands that might impact my playing. As time went on
my left palm started "cupping". I could still play though moving
between some guitar chords was a challenge as my pinky did not want to
get out of the way fast enough. Also I had just started Yoga and
a bigger problem was laying my hand flat.

So today 7/31/06 was the day. The only slightly uncomfortable part
was the first injection to numb up my hand but after that I did not
feel a thing. A big plus was Dr Denkler and his assistant Krystal's(?)
casual and friendly demeanor. It was over before I even knew it.
I couldn't believe it when I looked at me hand when he was finished
and I can't wait to get back to playing guitar again.

I have a light dressing on it now and will go back tomorrow to
have it removed.

Simply amazing and I can recommend Dr Denkler and his staff
wholeheartedly!

BTW I would recommend staying at the Marriot at Larkspur Landing
as it's right next to a promenade with some great shops and
restaurants. A short walk to a ferry takes you right to
San Francisco where we spent the afternoon today.

It really beggars belief that this procedure is not freely availabe everywhere? Especially here in the UK where the threat of surgery is the only option given from our health service!

Art:

Thanks for your encouragement.

I go for my first NA (with Dr. Denkler) on Aug. 16.

Mark

catt,

While NA certainly can flatten out a palm, I have not heard of it's use unless a finger is involved. If the fingers are not effected most people will just leave the palm well enough alone. Notice that Art said:

"My pinkie finger was having problems....."

It wasn't just his palm.

From your description it sound like there is more than Dups involved with you. Sounds like a difficult reaction to surgery. I have had that, and it's not pretty.