Dear Sir,

Please know that this thread is specifically for DC sufferers who live in Australia but of course anyone can view the posts and contribute. I suggest you look elsewhere on the forum to see if there are any threads relating to sufferers in India.

FYI: there are no India based doctors listed on the Dupuytren's website which is: http://www.dupuytren-online.info

Your condition may be Ledderhose disease ( I have a mild form myself ) which is related to Dupuytren's contracture. It is described on the website.

I know that some of the Parisian doctors perform NA on the feet to correct severe Ledderhose. For example Dr Manet-Chopin. I would suggest that you need to get a proper diagnosis of your condition from an appropriate specialist Doctor in India before you consider travelling to Paris.

I wish you the very best in getting appropriate treatment.

Kind regards,


Brian

I had surgery on my left hand in 1999. It was very painful requiring three days in hospital. I had surgery on my right hand a few years later. When my thumb started to contract the surgeon said surgery was the only solution. When I discovered that Dr Griffin at Flinders Medical Centre (Adelaide) performed NA I organised a referal from my GP. NA took 30 minutes, mainly waiting for the local anaesthetic to take effect before Dr Griffin used a needle to weaken the chord. I could not believe how easy it was, particularly in comparison with the pain and inconvenience of surgery. I understand NA is available in Sydney. Johngels

Hi Len,

I live on the central coast NSW and I am a semi retired graphic designer and a musician (guitar) with DC on both hands. When it was first diagnosed nobody in Australia was performing NA.

It's pretty scary stuff when you first start to consult with the (so called) experts about this.

My experience of the last ten years coping with this problem in Australia is that nearly all Doctors (GPs) and Surgeons are totally ignorant of NA treatment... or they have their smug heads shoved so far up their #### that they just don't know any better than to perform hack and slash surgery!

When first reaching the stage that I had to have some treatment, I did the same as you and searched the net, spoke to doctors and so called specialists... generally getting confused, scared and and frustrated when they all said I need to have full surgery. NO WAY!

Eventually I decided to stomp up the dough and fly to Florida to have the NA treatment by Dr Eaton. The trip cost me about four grand all up and Dr Eaton was a charming and very knowledgeable man. He fixed up both my hands in two visits lasting about 40 minutes each with very little discomfort. In each hand I had DC in ring and index fingers and both thumbs. I left Florida three days later with straight hands, no pain, no infection.

That was ten years ago. The problem is that as you are probably aware for many of us the DC returns (as did mine) but I got nearly four years of relief from it.

Then about six years ago, realising that I needed to have my hands fixed again I found that there was a new kid on the block operating here in Australia. He is a plastic surgeon practicing in Victoria and his name is Mr David Hunter Smith - Coastal Plastic Surgery Centre - 1/262 Main Street - Mornington 3931 - Victoria.
My wife and I went to his surgery and he performed N.A. on both my hands on the same day at his day surgery.
I was then sent to a nurse who made me up splits and I was on my way home the following day - with straight hands.
Cost was about $700 some of which was got back from medicare.

I had some NA attempted by a Sydney doctor about six months ago (who I will not name) but he seemed reluctant to treat me, the treatment he performed was not very successful, and the DC has returned with a vengeance. :-(

So, I need to have my hands done properly again soon and will hopefully be going back to see Dr Hunter Smith.

If I had the money I would take the trip to Paris for NA as they have the real experts and I have only heard good things about them - I understand that Both Eaton & Hunter Smith learned the techniques from these French doctors.

Its a shame that doctors in Australia do not embrace this NA technique, sure it will not cure the problem, but it is far less invasive than anything else available, can be performed in a day surgery, is safe, fast, and effective.

Sadly, in my experience most of the few doctors here who are 'having a go at NA' are a bit inexperienced... but with the exception of Dr Hunter Smith who was fantastic.

I hope this was helpful?

Steve

Hi Julie,
Having seen both of these doctors I was much happier with Hunter Smith and felt that he was the more experienced of the two when it came to NA.
Cheers
Steve

Hi Len,

Please read my posts on this thread in June.

Also, I'd be more than happy to talk to you about my experiences with DC and NA. If you'd like to do so please post your email address here and I'll send you an email directly to same.

Cheers,


Brian