Hi everyone,

Only just found this site and joined. I have surgery booked for 15th Feb - and am dreading it. I'm 53 and am fortunate to never have been in hospital so am really worried about it.

I asked if there was any other option to surgery. It just seems so major for this problem. I was amazed that it has to be a general full surgery. Thought it would be a local.

Does anyone have any advice. I have my small fingar affected and it's about 100 degrees to straight, but I just get used to it.

Thank you

Stephen, are you close to a metro area? You can check the ribbon at the top. Under Treatment > NA, there is a list of surgeons who will do a needle release procedure under local. It may be perfect for your situation.

NA is an minimal invasive procedure that is an alternative to traditional open surgery that sounds like what you have scheduled. Like callie says sometimes the traditional surgery does fine. But usually the DD will come back, imo if it does you are in better shape for another procedure if your first one was minimally invasive.

Stephen,

Everyone must make their own decision as to treatment. Open hand surgery is tried and true, has been around for decades, and has a reasonably fair success rate. That said, there ARE alternatives, even for a 100 degree contracture, that are FAR less invasive and have relatively reduced recovery periods - e.g. NA (needle release) and Xiaflex treatments. In my case, 90 degree contracture, NA proved to be successful and a wise choice. Each treatment option does have its pros and cons, and there is a fair degree of variability from patient to patient in terms of disease specifics and treatment outcome. Do the research and "makes yer cherce". Good luck.

Hello,

Thank you everyone who has responded to my blog. I really appreciate your advice and thoughts.

I just don't know what to do - I have looked at, and read, so much about this and full-blown surgery seems so wrong to me. Yes I am probably just an afraid guy who has never had surgery.

As my finger closes in on my hand I wonder "does it ever stop" - and does it matter really. I live with it - and it doesn't cause pain - yet.

I don't live in the US, I am in the UK, but having seen the price of injections to sort it out I couldn't pay anyway and the National Health Service, while brilliant, doesn't offer any other form of treatment other than surgery - which I suggest is MUCH more expensive than the injections.

If anyone has any other advice, please let me know, and thanks again for your responses to my earlier blog.

Stephen.

Stephen,

Since you are in the UK, have you considered going to Paris for NA? that would seem to be a wonderful choice providing the trip is financially possible for you.