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Hi Sven,

It just struck me that you mentioned treatment over a 9-month period. How often do you have to go and receive injections and did they explain why the 9 month treatment period?

With NA there is a single surgical session. With X-ray therapy there are two sets of week long treatments six months apart. So I am curious as to the number of visits one would need to make to a clinic to receive the injections as this could have a big impact on the overall cost involved.

Thanks,
Bruce

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Hi Bruce,
Perhaps I have misled you when I said that the period of treatment was over 9 months when actually the
9 months period is the length of the study trials. The visits to the hospital for treatment depends on how many fingers require treatment also how many injections are required to complete same, as it can take up to a maximum of 3 collagenase injections for each infected finger with a 30 day period between each injection .
Fortunately I,m taking part in a research study here in England which is free, also I live quite close to the hospital and the fact that I,m retired make it very easy for the frequent visits I will have to make.
Also I feel privilaged to be taking part in this programme as I believe it will be at least 2 years if the tests are a success before the treatment will be available in England.
regards
Sven

Bruce, I was told that the clinics participating in the trial only accept patients that live close by because of those frequent visits. But the many visits are required only for the trial, they need to track in detail what is going on. Once collagenase has been approved it will probably only take a couple of visits, one for injection and another one for breaking the cord. I would think collagenase needs some time to eat into the cord, so they won't be able to do it on a single visit. That's the downside compared to NA, the upside is that the treatment can probably done by someone closer to you.

Wolfgang

When "googling" collengenese I found a manufacturer in New Jersey: Worthington Biochemical Corp., that supply various quantities to researchers in various potencies and not to Drs or us.

Rock Creek,

Unfortunately Open Surgery can do the same thing to you hand. Though a rare case, many of the joints of my surgically treated hand are permanent swollen as well. Fortunately for me my other hand was treated with NA. There is no trace whatsoever from this procedure other than my finger being straightened. In fact, the former head of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand recommended that I forever avoid OS and stick with NA. He should know. He did the Open Surgery and then I made sure that he inspected my NA hand before *and* after my procedure. Yep, I paid him the $100 for *two* otherwise unnecessary appointments so he could have the benefit of seeing the effectiveness of NA with his own eyes.

In spite of this he's still on the fence regarding NA, except of course form me. I think it's something about Old Dogs and New Tricks that's got the better of him.

All that to say, you have a third option.

Dana, where do you buy Santyl?

Thanks KatherineG