Is there a nonsurgical treatment for John Elway's Dupuytren's contracture?
When John Elway was diagnosed with Dupuytren's contracture, he thought surgery was his only option. He discovered that there are alos nonsurgical treatment options and invites you to learn more. John Elway ... Athlete Beacon Healthcare Communications ...
Can Dupuytren's come back after surgery?
For that reason, Dupuytren's can, and almost always will, eventually come back. In those cases, further treatment can be considered. 9 Repeat surgery can be tricky and definitely not as straightforward as initial surgery for Dupuytren's.
What is treatment resistant Dupuytren’s contracture?
This is known as treatment-resistant Dupuytren’s. There is no way to know if you have a treatment resistant version until surgery is tried. Dupuytren's contracture occurs most commonly in men over the age of 50. Men are also more likely to have severe symptoms than women.
Why did John Elway have surgery on his hand?
The condition, Dupuytren's contracture, involves a tendon pulling fingers into a bent position. "When I saw my hand doctor, the only option was surgery," Elway said on Today. "I wasn't interested in more surgeries. I've had so many surgeries during my playing career. At that point in time, I didn't want to have another one."
What was John Elway's treatment?
Elway initially opted against having surgery to treat the issue and more recently underwent a non-surgical treatment to attempt to straighten his fingers. “When I saw my hand doctor, the only option was surgery,” Elway said. “I wasn't interested in more surgeries. I've had so many surgeries during my playing career.
Can Dupuytren's contracture be reversed without surgery?
Nonsurgical Treatment for Dupuytren's Contracture Nonsurgical treatments are often recommended at early stages of Dupuytren's or in addition to surgery. While many nonsurgical treatments have been studied, only a small number have shown a benefit. Experts may recommend stretching for the mildest forms of Dupuytren's.
How do you fix Dupuytren's contracture without surgery?
XIAFLEX® is the only FDA-approved treatment for Dupuytren's contracture that does not require surgery. A hand specialist will inject this enzyme treatment directly into the cord that's causing limited mobility in the finger. The enzyme releases the cord.
What is the latest treatment for Dupuytren's contracture?
Xiaflex was released last year by the FDA for non-surgically treating Dupuytren's contracture. This new injection, based in an enzyme, breaks down the diseased tissue allowing the finger to be easily manipulated into a straighter position. The first day the medicine is injected into the diseased 'cord' of tissue.
How effective is XIAFLEX for Dupuytren's contracture?
Xiaflex has an average rating of 3.6 out of 10 from a total of 31 ratings for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. 26% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 71% reported a negative experience.
Does Vitamin E help Dupuytren's contracture?
A. It has been claimed that striking success can be gained in the treatment of Dupu'tren's contracture of the palmar fascia by simple oral administration of vitamin E in high dosage. It has been said that, after such treatment, thickening of the fascia disappears anti contracture of the fingers is relieved.
Do cortisone shots help Dupuytren's contracture?
For treating Dupuytren's, cortisone injections are administered during the nodule, or hard bump, stage. The goal is to reduce the inflammatory nature of the nodules and therefore stop the disease in its tracks.
Why was XIAFLEX discontinued?
The decision to withdraw is not based on safety or efficacy concerns. Despite best efforts to appropriately educate the government and the market on XIAFLEX® over the past several years, the product did not receive government reimbursement approval and demand for the product has remained unsustainably low.
How much is a XIAFLEX injection?
Pain, swelling and bruising can develop in the injection area. Xiaflex costs $3,300 an injection, so a full course of eight injections would cost about $26,000, in addition to a doctor's fee. Doctors already use less expensive drugs off-label to treat Peyronies, including injections of a generic blood pressure drug.
Is there an injection for Dupuytren's contracture?
XIAFLEX® is an FDA-approved, nonsurgical treatment for adults with Dupuytren's contracture when a “cord” can be felt. It starts breaking down the cord as soon as you receive the injection.
Can stretching help Dupuytren's contracture?
If you have mild Dupuytren's disease, you may be able to keep your fingers moving with regular stretching. Surgery usually helps in severe cases.
Do Dupuytren's nodules go away?
At this stage, the hard lumps in the palm are called nodules. They may go away on their own in a small number of patients, but they usually progress. They can stay for months or years before anything else happens, says Eaton. Although many types of treatment have been tried for early stages, few have shown a benefit.
What is the least expensive treatment for Dupuytrens?
NA is the least expensive treatment intervention for Dupuytrens contractures. The procedure has minimal recovery time needed. Most patients are advised to avoid heavy use with the hand for one week, but otherwise patients can use the hand for most light activities immediately. Needle Aponeurotomy for Dupuytrens.
What is the treatment for Dupuytrens contracture?
Dupuytrens Contracture. Needle aponeurotomy (NA) and Collagenase Injections (Xiaflex) are two nonsurgical treatments for Dupuytrens Contractures when the fingers can no longer full straighten.
How long does it take for a needle aponeurotomy to heal?
Skin irritation, pain, bruising, and swelling at the needle sites are common. These symptoms typically resolve in a few days. Skin tears can occur as well, and these heal with daily wound care within about 2 weeks.
Can steroid injections soften Dupuytrens nodules?
Steroid injections can also soften and flatten the Dupuytrens nodules and reduce tenderness of the nodules. Needle Aponeurotomy Before and After. Needle Aponeurotomy (NA) is a minimally-invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia in the office.
Why is John Elway's hand back to normal?
John Elway says his hands are back to normal after a debilitating medical condition left him unable to pick up or hold a football. Elway, the Denver Broncos president of football operations and general manager, appeared Thursday on NBC's "Today" to help raise awareness for Dupuytren's contracture, also known as Viking disease.
Can Elway's hands constrict?
Though his hands are now back in their normal state, Elway said they could constrict again in the future. "It's a rather common condition, and a lot of people do have it, but they don't get it diagnosed," said Elway, who is involved with a campaign to raise awareness for the condition that may affect 16 million Americans.
Did Elway have surgery?
Elway initially opted against having surgery to treat the issue and more recently underwent a non-surgical treatment to attempt to straighten his fingers. "When I saw my hand doctor, the only option was surgery," Elway said. "I wasn't interested in more surgeries. I've had so many surgeries during my playing career.
What is the procedure to remove Dupuytren's cord?
In general there are three options- needle fasciotomy, collagenase injection (what Elway recently had), and surgical fasciectomy (surgery to remove all the Dupuytren’s cords), with the latter two options being the most common.
Why is John Elway's hand back to normal?
John Elway says his hands are back to normal after a debilitating medical condition left him unable to pick up or hold a football. Elway, the Denver Broncos president of football operations and general manager, appeared Thursday on NBC’s “Today” to help raise awareness for Dupuytren’s contracture, also known as Viking disease.
What is the procedure called when you have a needle in your arm?
The needle fasciotomy is a procedure where the bevel of a common injection needle is used to sever the cord in a few areas under local anesthetic. The collagenase injection is chemical transection of the cord, so basically a chemical version of the same thing the needle does but much more expensive and with higher complications.
Did Elway have surgery?
Elway initially opted against having surgery to treat the issue and more recently underwent a non-surgical treatment to attempt to straighten his fingers. “When I saw my hand doctor, the only option was surgery,” Elway said. “I wasn’t interested in more surgeries. I’ve had so many surgeries during my playing career.
How to treat Dupuytren's disease?
Stretching and Injections . There used to be a time when physicians recommended stretching, splinting, and injecting cortisone into Dupuytren's tissue. In general, these treatments are, at best, only temporarily helpful and, at worst, they can actually make the condition progress more quickly.
Why do we wait on Dupuytren's?
The traditional "treatment" recommendation for people with this condition was to wait on Dupuytren's contracture as long as tolerable and only then have surgical treatment. This is what doctors call "watchful waiting.". The reason to wait on surgical treatment was that Dupuytren's was never cured and repeat treatment was likely to be necessary ...
What is salvage procedure?
A salvage procedure is a treatment that is not used to fix a problem, but rather to make the situation as tolerable as possible. Some of the salvage procedures rarely performed in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture include: 1 Joint fusion: A joint fusion is a surgery to permanently set a joint in a position and have bone grow across it so that it will never bend again. When the joint is fused, it will no longer contract, even if the Dupuytren's progresses. 10 2 External fixation: An external fixator is a device attached to the bone that can stretch soft-tissues around the joint over long time periods. In people with very contracted tissues, stretching for weeks or months may help. 10 3 Amputation: Amputation of a finger is rarely performed in Dupuytren's, but it can be helpful in the most challenging situations. Particularly in small fingers—and in people with significant limitations in the functions of the hand—removal of a digit can be helpful in some rare situations. 11
What is needle aponeurotomy?
Needle aponeurotomy is a minimally invasive procedure that instead of removing the contracted Dupuytren's tissue, it uses the point of a needle to sever the cords and relieve contractures. Your doctor makes small punctures in the skin, no incisions, and by manipulating the tip of the needle, cuts through the contracted tissue in several locations.
What is the problem with Dupuytren's contracture?
As mentioned earlier, one of the major problems with the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture is that the underlying problem is unchanged. Dupuytren's disease is the condition that causes the collagen in your body to be poorly regulated.
Why do we wait for surgical treatment?
The reason to wait on surgical treatment was that Dupuytren's was never cured and repeat treatment was likely to be necessary at a later point. And, by waiting to treat the condition, the number of treatments needed throughout a patient's lifetime was kept to a minimum. 1 .
Can you get Dupuytren's contracture treated?
As some new treatments have offered a less-invasive way to manage Dupuytren's contracture, there are some doctors who now recommend early treatment. With collagenase injections and needle aponeurotomy, repeat treatment is not as much of a concern.
What is the best treatment for Dupuytren's contracture?
Dupuytren’s wand and Dupuytren’s tape is the best treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture as it helps reduce the symptoms of the disease without offering any side-effects. Dupuytren’s Contracture, or Vikings Disease, can be painful, annoying and even dangerous at times. Fortunately, there are alternatives to surgery.
How to use Dupuytren's tape?
Using Dupuytren’s Tape is easy: 1. Cut a strip of tape about 6 inches long. 2. Tear the wax paper backing and remove about 1/2 an inch from the end. 3. Attach the end of the tape to the fingerprint of the finger. 4. Peel the wax paper backing all the way to about two inches from the end.
Why do you wear Dupuytren's tape all day?
Dupuytren’s Tape can be worn all day and all night to provide and gentle, consistent stretch while allowing for a better range of motion when opening the hand . This non-surgical treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture helps delay or even eliminates the need of surgery.
Can you use Dupuytren's wand at home?
You can use the Dupuytren’s Wand at home and the tape is easy to put on yourself. It’s a simple solution that can often reduce tightness, tenderness and even delay the need for surgery. Even better, the results are fast and it costs less than the average doctor’s visit.
Can you bend your fingers with Dupuytren's?
Dupuytren’s wand. If you suffer from Dupuytren’s disease, you can probably bend your fingers normally but cannot straighten them completely. Using the Dupuytren’s Wand and following up with wearing of Dupuytren’s tape can provide a comfortable and consistent stretch to the finger and helps gently restore your range of motion.
Is there a cure for Dupuytren's contracture?
The newest, easiest, and cheapest approach to Dupuytren’s is a home treatment. Dupuytren’s wand and Dupuytren’s tape is the best treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture as it helps reduce the symptoms of the disease without offering any side-effects.
How to stop Dupuytren's from progressing?
Start with avoiding projects with tight grip requirements, like mechanical work with small tools, or use padding on your hands to protect them . In some cases, Dupuytren's does not progress or does so slowly.
When does Dupuytren's contracture occur?
Dupuytren's contracture occurs most commonly in men over the age of 50. Men are also more likely to have severe symptoms than women. The condition tends to run in families so there may be a genetic component that has yet to be confirmed.
Can Dupuytren's happen in both hands?
Only rarely are the thumb and index finger affected. Dupuytren's can occur in both hands, though one hand is usually affected more severely.