Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center Videos

New Drug Could Reverse Crippling Hand Disease

Doctors: Injections Could Revolutionize Treatment

(Reprinted from WRTV, http://www.theindychannel.com)

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana doctors are testing a radical new treatment for a debilitating hand disease, and so far, they said they're having success. The disorder is an abnormal thickening of collagen tissue just beneath the skin of the palm called Dupuytren's Disease, 6 News' Stacia Matthews reported.

Retired WRTV reporter Ken Nelson said he began noticing lumps on his hands nearly a decade ago. Recently, it got to the point where he could no longer straighten his fingers. "Shaking hands with people my fingers would be curled in the palm of my hand," Nelson said. "People would ask 'Have you had a stroke or something?'"

Initially, Nelson said doctors at the Indiana Hand Center wanted to do surgery on each hand. That was, until they began testing a new treatment involving injections. The injection contains a drug called Xiaflex, an enzyme that's shot directly into the cord, doctors said. The drug dissolves the collagen pulling at the fingers. Then, doctors massage the hand to break down the cord and stretch the fingers.

Nelson had the procedure done Wednesday, and already he said he's seen a huge difference.

"To me it’s miraculous to see your hand open up after 10 years," Nelson said." I actually had tears in my eyes. It’s returned a quality of life I haven't had in a long time. And it's wonderful."

Dr. Tom Kaplan, who is leading the clinical trail in Indiana, said the treatment could revolutionize the way Dupuytren's Disease is treated.

"I don't think this is going to replace every surgery for this condition, obviously, but I think it's going to really provide treatment for a lot of patients and avoid surgery for the majority of them," Kaplan said.

In the weeks ahead, Nelson will wear a custom-fitted splint at night and complete stretching exercises during the day to maximize the mobility and function in his right hand, Matthews reported.

The Indiana Hand Center is one of 16 sites participating in the national clinical trial. So far, 84 percent of patients achieved greater than 50 percent improvement, researchers said. The findings will be sent to federal regulators for FDA approval in early 2009.

 

Video Originally aired on WRTV Channel 6, Indianapolis