Dupuytrens contracture

[ethandron]

Does anyone here suffer from this? If so, has anyone had it treated with radiotherapy and how successful was it?
Thanks.

[smurfchops]

Not radiotherapy. They cut the tendons in the hand to release them, and you have physio immediately afterwards. However after a few years the fingers tend to bend over again, although not too far into the hand, however, you have to keep stretching them backwards with the help of the other hand. If the condition is not serious, i.e. fingers are useable and not bent into the palm, you can try stretching back as an exercise to try and fend off the condition. Its hereditary by the way.

[Mamyalynne]

Seems Radio is a relatively new approach in the early stages,,,
Radiation therapy
In 2010, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance about the use of radiation therapy to treat Dupuytren’s contracture. Radiation therapy aims to prevent or delay the need for surgery.
During radiation therapy, over several days, controlled doses of high-energy radiation (usually X-rays) are aimed at the nodules and cords that have formed in your hand. If your symptoms are severe, you may need to return at a later date for further radiation treatment.
It is not known exactly how radiation therapy works, but it is thought that the radiation affects the development and growth rate of fibroblasts in your hand. Fibroblasts are cells that produce and release collagen (the protein that forms the main part of the body’s connective tissue).
In one of the studies reviewed by NICE, after one year, the symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture had improved in over half of the hands that were treated. In another long-term study, two-thirds of people had some degree of symptom relief after 13 years.
Possible side effects of radiation therapy include:
dry skin
skin flaking off
slight thinning of the skin

[Mamyalynne]

ctd

Radiation therapy is still being developed as a treatment for Duypuytren’s contracture and it may not be suitable for everyone. If you are offered radiation therapy, you should be aware of the uncertainty about its effectiveness and the possible long-term risk that radiation may cause cancerous tumours.

[ethandron]

Thank you both. It's my other half who has this, in both hands. GP is looking into referring him for radiotherapy as it would appear he's a good candidate for it as its in the relatively early stages. I was particularly interested to hear from anyone who had actually had this treatment....smurf, I guess youve had an op then? Did it help?

[theprof]

It's not always hereditary smurfchops: heavy alcohol consumption can give you the condition and it can sometimes develop in epileptic patients and diabetic patients too.

[ethandron]

Most people who suffer from this don't have any of those though, nor the hereditary component. My other half doesn't.