Hello everyone. I am a 52 year old male of German origin living in Paris, diagnosed with Dupuytren on my right pinky about eight years ago.

Until this year the contracture had been very slight, I had normally no pain or significant discomfort unless I put pressure on the single nodule. My general practitioner had told me that at this stage there was nothing to be done. Earlier this year I noticed that the contracture had reached about 20 to 25 degrees and that the nodule had grown. It started to disturb me. A rheumatologist suggested I make an appointment at Lariboisière.

After reading this forum for a couple of months I had NA performed by Dr. Philippe PIZZUTI 3 days ago. Within no more than 2 minutes he had my finger straightened. I had the impression he himself was surprised how easy it was. I felt nothing but the one injection, and the cracking actually felt good. I have had no pain following the procedure, even after the anesthesia wore off and the hand stayed quite usable with the small bandage although I have been careful. So far I am very pleased and relieved and can recommend NA and Dr. Pizzuti for similar cases. I am fortunate to live less than half an hour by metro from such skilled experts.

I just removed the bandage. I feel a slight soreness and tension. While the pinky is almost straight, I cannot put my right hand fully flat on the table as I can with the left hand. Is this likely to remain?

Dr. Pizzuti didn’t suggest any other treatment, including of the small nodule in the left pinky (second knuckle from the tip), and after the procedure I was so relieved that I forgot to ask about RT. I haven’t seen any progression (but will keep an eye on it), and have no contracture on the left hand. Any views on this?

I am adding a before/after comparison. Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed to this website and forum. It has been a big help for me.

Stefan

Hello everyone. It has been three weeks since the NA on my pinky and while the healing has been progressing, especially this past week, and I can now put my hand almost completely flat on flat surface, I still have slight discomfort/a tearing/sore feeling when extending the finger completely. The main nodule is still there, but seems a bit flatter and softer.

So I ask myself if the sore feeling is normal at this stage post-NA or if I should consult the specialist or the referring rheumatologist. What is the experience of those of you who have had NA performed?

My doctor didn't suggest any particular exercise, but I noticed that moderate swimming feels good for helping in straightening the pinky. Does anyone have experience with this, or an opinion?

Thanks,

Stefan

Thanks for the question. No post-NA treatment was recommended and no splint, just not to put strain on the finger for two weeks which have now passed. As for the slow swimming, or just passing the hand through the water after two weeks, it just felt good and seemed to allow to dose moderate strain and stretching, in the hope I could eventually completely flatten my hand again. Any swimmers out there?

I am afraid the NA specialist would probably not be able to help much in that stage. Heavy gardening might have triggered some of your new growth but it might as well be just coincidence. personally I would try RT.

Wolfgang

Radiotherapy shouldn't create any problems with a later NA.

If your doctor is interested in radiotherapy he might consider attending the upcoming International Conference on Dupuytren Disease in Groningen, Netherlands http://www.dupuytrensymposium.com/. Heinrich Seegenschmiedt will give a lecture on radiotherapy at this conference. And, of course, it includes many other interesting papers and discussions.

Wolfgang

Stefan_K.:

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.... Is there a risk that RT could get in the way of future NA on this finger?