Hattie, i too am from Louisiana. I would love to know more info about this treatment. I have been suffering with the disease for 14 years now, and I'm only 34. I really don't know any advantages about radiation except that it doesn't involve cutting, which I've already had surgery and need again.

Yep, it's for the LSU tigers. I graduated from in 2001 with my BS in microbiology. I'm a die hard tiger fan. I haven't found a orthopedist whom isn't a surgeon. LOL. I do have an appt. with this new Dr. in our area, in Thibodaux whom I've heard great things about. I'll let you know how things go. I'm really interested in the radiation treatments after I get my contracture corrected.

well i think i do like this dr. he seemed very knowledgeable about this condition because he is genetically predisposed having both his grandfather and father suffer from it. anyways, we talked at length about what he thought was best for me. i'm going to try going with xiaflex first. he really believes in the stuff and says he's seen really great results. that is as long as my insurance covers the injections. if they aren't i'm going to have surgery to straighten my finger.

i also talked to him about radiation therapy to which he hasn't heard about or knew nothing about. he actually informed me that taking those treatments would actually hinder your healing abilities later if you had to have surgery or are injured in your hands. that kind of concerned me. i do hold a bs in microbiology and was trained as a geneticist, and his reasoning that the genetic material of the area are mutated not to grow do support his theory, but i was wondering if the radiation oncologist brought this notion up to you before you started?

as per LSU, that was a hell of a game. and as much as i think we can play them hard again, i really don't want to play them again because it's always hard to beat a team twice. i think old nick made some terrible calls in that game, but our guys just wanted it more....

Geaux Tigers!