Dupuytrens Contracture ("Vikings Disease")

[RicROC]

Three weeks ago I had the Needle Aponeurotomy/Fasciotomy procedure at Central Jersey Hand Surgery Center. Top Notch surgeons! I'm doing great and consider that procedure a 100% success.

Dr. Atik was the 5th surgeon with whom I consulted because the 4 previous surgeons in Western New York all wanted to do the radical invasive procedure which would require a 6 week recovery along with Physical Therapy. I don't have the time for that and was interested in the least invasive technique.

Frankly, I don't think any of the NY surgeons had the experience or expertise. One orthopedic surgeon did not even recognize the name of Needle Aponeutomy, such that I had to write the name on a memo pad. That was a red flag! The Xiaflex alternative seems to be less precise and unpredictable.

=> The reason I'm posting this is my discovery of the Serrapeptase-Nattokinase enzyme tablet. After the surgical procedure, I began to use it, twice per day. I'm just amazed that after using the enzyme there seems to be a regression of Dup.C in my other hand! I've even sent the surgeon photos taken 18 months ago versus my hand from last week. Not sure if it affecting the hand that he worked on but I'm hoping it will retard progression of the disease.

My wish is that others with DupCont will relate their success and failure experiences on this site.

[ms liberty]

1. How timely! My mother in law has Dup C and is looking into surgery

For it. Hers is unusual in that it affects her thumbs, and she basically has no opposable thumbs; she can't write or do most anything like that. The tablet you mention above, is it an over the counter product or is it prescription only? Thanks! Bookmarking so I'll have this handy. Thanks and congratulations on the success of your surgery!

[RicROC]

2. SerraNat

What i use is SerraNat by Absonutrix, which is OTC on Amazon.

I do NOT recommend any treatment; I'm just stating what I use and have found some surprising results.
Not one doctor has even mentioned this alternative so I suggest 'do your own research'

[ms liberty]

3. I will, definitely. But it sounds hopeful! Thanks again.

[hlthe2b]

4. This is not my area of medicine, but interested, I noted at least 1 published article on the enzyme

Serrapeptase-Nattokinase that supports some efficacy and proposes a method of action. That seems worth pursuing with (or perhaps even without the needle aponeurotomy, depending on severity).

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23821590/

Good luck!

[RoadRunner]

5. I took a different approach

Had it in my right ring finger. Clinic referred me to a hand specialist, who wanted to do surgery immediately. I decided to first try homegrown physical therapy - just massage and gently working it myself. A few weeks later it opened and is fully functional, although not perfect.

I’m not recommending this approach for everyone, as every case is different. I would, however, recommend avoiding surgery unless it’s the only choice. Thanks for the tip, tho. If it comes back I’ll try the tablets you recommended.

[brer cat]

6. I had Xiaflex treatment on three fingers about 10 years ago.

It was very successful on two of the three, and I have just a slight droop of one ring finger now. One small finger remains bent, but I also have boutonniere deformity on that finger.

I am getting nodules on three fingers of one hand now, and having a good bit of pain. I had no pain before and don't quite know what to make of that.

btw I am a big believer in night splints. I wore mine for 5 years following my Xiaflex treatment. The splints began to hurt and I had no one locally who could make the custom splints. After I stopped wearing the splints, my ring finger began to droop.

I haven't heard of the Serrapeptase-Nattokinase enzyme tablet before this thread. I will definitely look into it.

[RicROC]

7. night splints

I just re-read your comment about the night splints and agree that they should be worn much longer than a few weeks following any procedure. I can see every morning that my fingers have straighten out from the previous evening.

But what I wanted to mention....seems to me any Occupational Therapist can create or modify a split for you. If you have your doctor /PCP write a prescription, then you might not even have to pay for it. If the doctor is reluctant, just tell him/her that you have pain and need it. There's a medical code for pain, although maybe not one for splint. (Same as saying your vision is blurry, giving you headaches, has a medical code but saying you want new glasses, there is no code.)