Procedure

Click on the image below to download a two page patient information handout of the procedure (12mb PDF file), or contact The Hand center to have this mailed to you:

Where and How is NA performed?

Needle Aponeurotomy is performed as an office procedure under local anesthesia. The office visit takes 30 to 60 minutes, including the procedure, which takes takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on what is involved. Both hands may be treated, but not on the same day.

What is the Aftercare after NA?

At the end of the procedure, your hand needle sites will be covered with small bandaids, and possibly wrapped in a gauze bandage.
You will be given a reusable icepack for your hand, and possibly a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication.You should keep your hand pointing up as much as possible and ice your palm frequently the day of and the day after the procedure.
Your fingers may be numb for several hours after the procedure, and you may have tingling in the fingers for the next few days.
Your bandage should be kept dry while on, but you may remove bandaids and wash your hand normally that evening unless otherwise instructed.
You should be able to proceed with normal light activities (eating, dressing, bathroom and driving) on the day of the procedure. Plan to avoid activities which involve a strong grip for one to two weeks after the procedure - to avoid unneccessary discomfort.
If the proximal interphalangeal joint (the knuckle in the middle of the finger) is released or if several fingers are released, you may need to be fitted with a splint to wear at night for 2-3 months to help further straighten the fingers. A splint may be fabricated by a hand therapist. In some cases, it may be possible to use a prefabricated splint as demonstrated here.

Strenously stretching your fingers may aggravate Dupuytren's over the long run! If you have a habit of strongly pulling or pushing your fingers straight (as many people do), now is the time to stop! If the PIP joints are involved, use this stretching exercise, actively straightening the fingers while keeping the MCP joints bent against the palm of your other hand:

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