Hi All

New to the forum and living in the UK where the options on treatment seem to be limited to potentially unpleasant surgery only?

I have 2 nodules in the palm of my right hand in line with my ring finger and two smaller bands on my other middle finger. At the moment my fingers are all straight and I'm not experiencing any real problems.

My concern is because I've had left side paralysis through head injury, and although I have recoverd well, my left hand has very very limited function and I rely on my right hand entirely. I don't want to get to the point where I need drastic measures that would mean that I basically am not able to do anything for myself!

If things do start to get worse, should I seek early treatment and possibly look outside the UK? Any views would be welcome.

Trever,

If I were you I'd call the office of a NA practicing
doctor and ask about how long it will be between the time you request an NA treatment and the time that they can accomodate you.If it's lesss than ONE month or a little longer I'd just watch it and if you notice you can not lay hand flat on table and hand is getting bowed by more than 1-2mm per week then I'd schdule and seek cheapest air fare.They say that normally after NA you can use your hand normally again in 2days.My hand is bowed by 25mm and can still do all my tasks with it. -rob

Hi Trevor,
There is nothing wrong with being prepared. Get all the facts you need and then you will be able to take action when the time is right.
Do visit www.handcenter.org There you will discover when to have NA, there are pics which show you how to measure the contracture when it starts.
The following web page gives you a list of all the practitioners of NA http://perso.wanadoo.fr/f.badois-dupuytren/html/liste.html
Most of the European practitioners will give you an appointment fairly quickly, four to six weeks is usual but I have known less waiting time.
If you live in the south of England, Eurostar to Lille or Paris is easy. Anywhere else I think flying is better. I live in the NW so getting to Eurostar would take longer than flying to Paris does.
I have had NA so can tell you that the only pain is from the injection to deaden the skin, ouch, but it only lasts for 20 seconds. Dealing with one finger takes about 20 minutes. You then wear a piece of elastic strapping for two days and keep the hand dry. The hand can be used at once for anything but heavy lifting which should be avoided for a couple of weeks.
Following the procedure your hand will feel numb until the anaesthetic wears off and you may have a few twinges for a couple of days. You are advised to take Paracetamol if you need them but I did not. I was eating a meal with a knife and fork within half an hour of the NA.
Will the Dup's return? Yes, it will and it also returns after surgery. When? well that totally depends on the individual. Some people need treatment every 6 months and some go for years without problems. My finger was left too long before my first NA so it looks as though I will have to have treatment once a year. I will wait and see how long I last after my second NA in September.
Have a look at the interview with Dr Charles Eaton who trained in Paris and now does NA in the USA.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/531578
Hope this helps,
Marjorie

Trevor,
Perhaps it would be a good idea to take some written facts to your GP. You could cut and paste onto 'word' the interview with Dr Eaton and anything else you feel would be relevent.
Marjorie