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Even the medical profession is slow

It must be. Why else would the hand specialist be so ready to operate on my hand to correct my Dupuytren's Contraction?

That sure wasn't the response I was expecting when I went for my appointment with the hand specialist yesterday. I thought I would go in, and the doctor would look at my hand, and say it wasn't that bad, and I should just keep an eye on it making sure it doesn't get any worse, and then come back in a couple of months for a follow up.

Needless to say, I was caught completely off guard. I really wasn't ready for this. I had heard horror stories about the pain associated with the operation, and proceeding would obviously put a crimp in my cycling. I was hoping he would propose the use of injectable collagenese. That I would have gone for.

But no, the doctor indicated injectable collagenese hasn't been approved for use just yet. BUMMER!

So now I have to make a decision. Do I or don't I want to risk the operation?

The doctor was very reassuring, trying to allay my concerns, stating that since my contraction had not progessed that far (30°), it wouldn't be a difficult operation, and he thought I could be back on the bike in about 3 weeks. He did indicate I could watch and wait (something most lymphoma patients are very familiar with), if I wasn't quite ready, but to keep a close eye on it, and make sure it doesn't progress too far. Then it could become a problem

I just don't know. The horror stories I've heard, still linger in the back of my mind, but I did put my name on the list to be called, to set up a time for the operation anywaze. I don't have to have the operation right away, and could schedule it for a few months from now when the weather is not very conducive for riding.

Oh well, such is life :(

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Becky said…
Just be careful.
6:46 AM
Alan P, MD said…
Just because collagenase isn't FDA approved for this indication doesn't mean doctors aren't allowed to use it for that indication.

Plenty of drugs are used for "off label" use. Even old drugs like Inderal used for stage fright for many years (might be approved by now).

Maybe you need a second opinion (but I'd call the office first to be sure they use collagenase for that indication
12:34 AM
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