callie:

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I have had Dupuytren's in both hands and the arches of my feet for probably 20 years. I had surgery on one hand 10 years ago. The other hand has remained dormant for about 15 years.

Diane,

You said, "aren't you the person who is always recommending open hand surgery"?

No, that is a misinterpretation of my thoughts. To be more accurate, I always suggest that surgery is not the "bad act" that many suggest who have never had surgery. I don't think it should always be the last resort, especially by people who have contractures greater than 70-80 degrees. I have personally talked about all of the procedures to many people. I considered NA before I had my surgery. My surgeon (and this was 10 years ago) talked to me about the possibility of signing up for the Stanford trials for Xiaflex (different name at the time).

You asked, "Do you think that helped your other hand become dormant?" I have no idea, but I really doubt that the surgery had any effect on the other hand.

You said, "One size does not fit all and I and many others prefer the least traumatic solution". That is fine. I find it interesting how surgery (fasciectomy) is built up to be so traumatic. There is generally little or no pain involved. My surgeon considered it to be one of the least traumatic surgeries that he does during the course of his practice. We specifically talked about that. Also, people talk about the recovery period (after a fasciectomy) as though a person's life is put on hold for the duration of the recovery. It is generally not the great sacrifice that some people are led to believe. Can some people have problems with surgery? Of course. Similarly, some people can have problems with NA or Xiaflex.

For me, I prefer the best available solution over the "least traumatic". Best available for me includes least chance for recurrence. For some people that is a fasciectomy. For others it could be NA or Xiaflex.

Don't be "freaked out" about this. You need to consider RT (explained above under "Treatment". There is a window of opportunity for RT and from what you describe, you are probably in that window.

Also, there is controversy about the advice to stretch. Many feel that it can aggravate Dupuytren's and enhance the growth. I believe that if the Dupuytren's is inclined to grow, it will and you are not going to stop it.

There is a wealth of information on this site and great ideas from many people. Learn as much as you can and don't worry too much. Of all of the diseases, Dupuytren's is one of the easier ones to live with. Generally no pain.

Good luck. Let us know how it works out for you. I tried the stretching and the "aggravation" just seemed to stimulate the activity. The Dupuytren's cord has nothing to do with the flexibility of the other tissues in your hand that provide flexibility. Your best option is RT at this stage. Your hand therapist probably has zero knowledge of RT.

Edited 12/03/12 22:40

moondanc:

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In regard to stretching and the recommendations against it you might want to look at the website of the Dupuytren Foundation-- headed by Dr. Charles Eaton who brought NA to the US and who probably knows more and certainly has seen more cases of DD than any doc in the US. Non-passive stretching has been found to *stimulate* the disease.

"Complementary Procedures

Preoperative Stretching programs are different than simply trying to stretch the fingers straight. In the short term, stretching may straighten the fingers, but the long run, stretching alone probably worsens the contracture. . Stretching exercises other than these are not recommended."

That's an excerpt. If you follow the link it gives recommended stretching exercises with photos and links to studies.

http://dupuytrens.org/Complementary-Procedures.html