Dupuytren’s Needle Aponeurotomy
If you are suffering from Dupuytren’s Disease, at Ashford Orthopedic Specialists we offer needle aponeurotomy to get your fingers back to function.
To find out if you’re a candidate for needle aponeurotomy, reach us at our Athens or Loganville, GA, locations or book an appointment online today.
What Is Needle Aponeurotomy for Dupuytren’s Disease?
About Dupuytren’s Disease
Dupuytren’s disease (sometimes also called Dupuytren contracture and named after a famous French surgeon) is a genetic ailment that makes the tissue under the skin of your palms and fingers thicken and tighten, eventually bending the fingers inwardly.
It is important to note that the growths that cause Dupuytren’s disease are always benign, therefore they’re never a symptom of underlying and more severe issues.
The symptoms described above usually take a long time (months or years) to progress, and in some cases, they are not noticeable, so you may never even know you have it.
Why Is It Beneficial?
Dupuytren’s needle aponeurotomy carries several advantages for patients, including:
- Hand and finger pain relief.
- Ability to perform regular movements.
- Improved dexterity.
- Pressure relief.
- Regaining mobility.
- As opposed to open surgery, needle aponeurotomy does not involve incisions to the skin of the hand, so there is less tissue damage, less swelling, less pain, less down time and quicker healing.
- No hospital admission or sedation.
When assessing whether you are a good candidate for the procedure, Dr. Ashford will go over your medical history and ask questions regarding your health. During this consultation, he will also listen to and address any concern you might have.
“Dr Ashford has been great to work with throughout my procedure. My experience has been better than I expected. I am very pleased with Ashford Orthopedics and have and will recommend Dr Ashford for any orthopedic needs.” —Charles R.
How Do We Perform Needle Aponeurotomy?
Needle aponeurotomy is performed in our offices and usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour.
Dr. Ashford cleans the hand and injects it with medicine to numb the area. Once it has taken effect, he inserts a needle into the affected tissue to make tiny holes and release the pull on the fingers. The doctor might also administer cortisone injections during the process to help shrink and soften nodules, as well as discourage reformation of the cells that cause the palmar cords.
Recovery
For a few hours after the procedure, you may feel numbness in your fingers. Once the sensation has returned, your fingers might be swollen and tingly for the first few days. In order to reduce the swelling, you should apply ice on the affected area.
Here are a few tips for a successful recovery:
- You should gently bend and straighten your fingers throughout the day to regain function correctly.
- The doctor might put adhesive bandages on your hand at the site of the needle sticks; he will tell you when to take them off.
- You may shower and get your hand wet after the procedure, but it is not advisable to put your hand under water for 2 days.
- You may use your hand right away for light activities such as eating or getting dressed. However, it will take about 1 or 2 weeks for your hand to fully feel, so you should refrain from any activity that requires hand strength or grip.
- If you work a desk job, you may go back within 1 or 2 days of the intervention. For heavy duty jobs that require using a lot of hand strength, to grip things tightly, or to get your hands dirty, it is better to wait between 1 and 3 weeks until the hand fully heals.
If you are experiencing Dupuytren’s disease symptoms and would like more information about needle aponeurotomy, call Ashford Orthopedic Specialists or book a personalized appointment online today.