I had xiaflex injection 2 1/2 years ago. I had about 35% contraction on two fingers (ring and index), 2 nodules in my palm and cords in my middle finger with no contraction. My Dr. gave me 4 injections at the same time and I had an intense reaction with my arm turning black, blue and purple. I had the reaction possibly due to 4 injections at the same time in the same hand. My fingers were swollen for months. I was disheartened to say the least. That being said, I did get a flattening of both fingers and one of the nodules went down.

I am now facing a more difficult situation because my dupetryns has spread further in my left hand, with my ring finger at a 50% contracture and a build up of growth in my other fingers and more nodules on my tendons in the palm of my hand. Two Drs. have said that the hand has too much scar tissue for a NA procedure and I need surgery. (Wondering if anyone else got scar tissue from xiaflex)

2 things I would have done differently. I would have tried the NA procedure before xiaflex. If I were to do Xiaflex, I would make sure my Dr. has had a a lot of experience with it and follows the protocol of focusing on one area at a time. Four injection sites may have been what triggered the reaction and caused swelling and a long recovery.

I have gotten excellent references for Dr. Hanel in Seattle and Dr. Ross Nathan in Long Beach California from hand therapists who have seen the results of their work. I have not had work done by them.

Additionally, I am starting a ketogenic diet which I read was helpful in reducing growths. I am trying many tinctures, supplements etc to see if I get my body in balance to slow the current growth spurt I had.

Good luck in making your decision. I remember when I was trying to decide and not sure which way to go.

Hello: I had the xiaflex injection last Tuesday November 14th in Seattle Wa. My pinky was about 40% contracted at the PIP joint, with nodules in my palm. The surgeon gave me 4 shots-3 in the pinky and one in the palm. In terms of pain level, I would rate it mid level. he said they do not use local anesthesia because they don't know how it would react with the xiaflex. I had to grab my wife's knee a few times, but no shrieking !! It took maybe 3-4 minutes. As he warned me would happen, my pinky swelled and bruised. My whole hand swelled up, and I had soreness and bruising in my elbow and soreness in my armpit. I was back at work (a desk job) the next day, and worked a full day. I had limited use of my right hand and had to type with my index finger and my second finger. I have been taking Advil every 4-6 hours and that has controlled the pain nicely. My hand swelling is down to the point where the top of the hand is only slightly swollen. My pinky is still a bit bruised and swollen, but I am able to use it to type. It is a bit sore, but I am now taking Advil only every 6-8 hours. I have not yet had the manipulation, but my finger is now only 15-20% contracted and less puffy than it was. I return to the surgeon Tuesday to have the manipulation. Overall, the pain of the procedure and the amount of swelling and pain post injection has been a pleasant surprise so far. The only work I missed was the day of the procedure and travel time to Seattle. The surgeon I went to has done approximately 400 injections and also does NA and surgery, so I felt he was well qualified to give me unbiased advice on which procedure to try and was experienced at all of them. It sounds like reactions to Xiaflex can vary greatly. Best of luck.

I had xilafex injection about a month ago on my ring and middle left fingers. Both ring and middle past 90%. Had NA on my left thumb. Yep the injections are like bee stings. 6 minutes worth of bee stings. Two days later was the minupulation. My hand swelled up bad after the manipulation. Hurt like hell. Ibprofan and a a bit of vodka for two days.

26 days today later.... I can lay my hand flat and I can’t close it all the way. Knuckles are still swollen a bit....bruising is gone.

I’m going Dec 4th to get my right hand done. Will have to where not splints for 4 to 6 months.

My Doc told me no novicane due to he needed to make sure he did not hit the tendon. He blocked my hand up with novicane for the manipulation.

Would I do it again.. YES. I’m getting rt hand down in two weeks.

Go to the Xiaflex website. Search for a trained Dr. I love my Dr. ... he has done hundreds of injections.

I do believe that Xiaflex is not selling the medacation to untrained doctors now.

Find I good hand surgeon that has done this many times.

I’m overly happy.