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A brief history: I have been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1987. At around 1991, at age 42, I noticed a peculiar hard spot forming on the palm of my right hand. Since this did not go away but instead became more pronounced over the next few months, I consulted a Physician in Phoenix, Arizona and was diagnosed with "Dupuytren's Contracture". 

"At least it's not cancer" I thought and read the pamphlet I was given at the office. European descent - well, that certainly fit me. An image of my father's hand similarly contracted during my last visit to Germany filled my mind. My father never had anything done with his hand. He was retired, and perhaps not having to work with his hands to make a living prevented him from seeking treatment. Perhaps treatment was unavailable. I could not ask him, he had passed away.

I waited a few years, until the contracture of the left hand made it necessary to take action. As a self employed therapist, I had no insurance coverage and had to seek State Aid through AHCCCS. At that time, I was told that the ONLY available treatment was surgery, and I believed it.

 In 1998, therefore, I had surgery on my left hand to release the thumb adduction and the 75 degree 5th digit bend. All went well, and I was able to work with my hands again. On the right hand, only the 5th digit was affected and released during a second surgery a few months later.

Since then, I have moved into a remote area near Show Low, Arizona, where I am building up my small farm, practice the occasional massage therapy, and perform translations and writing via the internet. The area is demographically challenged, and working globally from home is essential for my financial self sufficiency.

While my left hand is reasonably functional, the right has now contracted to be almost unusable (see intro picture). Still believing that open surgery was the only option, coupled with a lengthy recovery period, I was unhappily resigned to suffering. When I shared my dilemma with a dear friend in e-mail, she responded with Dupuytren's, good wishes and encouragement for further research.

The result of this research is the writing of this article.

The articles, pictures, videos and explanations I have found on http://www.e-hand.com imbued me with new hope and a zealous search for a hand surgeon in Arizona who could potentially perform a Needle Aponeurotomy on my right hand.

 I called at least 10 different offices and clinics in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson. Many secretaries had never even heard of "Needle... What?" My brief explanation on the phone was answered with "Oh, I don't think the Doctor would be interested in that. We do the surgery the way we've always done it". I politely thanked and hung up.  Requests to speak with the doctor were answered with: "The doctor doesn't speak with anyone".

How is it possible that doctors can categorically reject any new developments in their chosen field of expertise? How is it possible that a potential patient is not able to have a brief telephone conversation with their doctor before traveling 200 miles for a paid office visit? 

How is it possible that procedures that have given other patients new hope, a new lease on life, and renewed ability to function in work and play, are withheld?

Why is the response to Dupuyten's an automatic open surgery or nothing at all?

Not only for myself, but for all the others who, I know, must suffer from this debilitating condition, I strive to 

1. Make this information available on a wide spread basis to health consumers, and

2. Seek to increase the interest in training within the medical community.

Within a trend that looks as though the patient must fit into existent medical procedures instead of medical procedures being customized to fit the patient, perhaps just in this narrow window, some good can be done.

I am just one individual, and this feels like a daunting task. However, if others will help, this task can be done.  

Please distribute this article freely to anyone that may have an interest in giving or receiving helpful information. I hereby give permission to share my name and contact information with any doctors or patients who also seek to widen the availability of Needle Aponeurotomy or other alternatives to open surgery for Dupuyten's Contracture.

Sincerely yours,

Roselle Nordtome

http://www.nordtome.com