Dupuytren's contracture natural
treatment
April 23 2017 by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
This progressive condition, caused by the growth of collagen nodules in the palm and fingers, afflicts as many as 6 percent of whites, most of them older, male, and often from northern Europe. As the collagen thickens, it can pull a finger into a bent position limiting movement and dexterity.
Natural treatment
I have received one email from someone who thought
serrapeptase enzyme
supplements were helping with their Dupuytren's contracture but it is too early
to know.
Enzyme injection may be of
benefit
Injections of an enzyme that breaks up collagen may unlock permanently curled
fingers for people with Dupuytren's contracture, The Auxilium Pharmaceuticals
treatment, which is awaiting approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
as of 2009, avoids the need for hand surgery and the long
rehabilitation that follows. Dr. Lawrence Hurst of the State University of New
York at Stony Brook, who did the study, has financial ties to the company. He
said the success rate of the enzyme, which has a brand name of Xiaflex, is
comparable to surgery. The treatment will be evaluated by an FDA advisory panel.
The company is also studying Xiaflex as a treatment for breaking apart collagen
deposits that cause penises to bend, a condition known as Peyronie's disease,
and for frozen shoulder syndrome.
Testimonial received in 2017
I have been taking Serrapeptase 240,000U - which I do realize is a high dose,
for 8 days driven by a desire to mitigate Dupuytren's contracture, with no
obvious side effects. I have been reading the Serrapeptase comments, and your
website generally, with great interest. I monitor my blood pressure. Yesterday I
took - for the first time - a Nattokinase capsule: 4 or 5 hours later my BP had
soared to 176/100. It is normal again this morning after a double dose of my BP
medication. I read your advice not to combine these two enzymes, and I suspect
that the experience I have recounted demonstrates that I personally should
refrain from combining them. I suppose it may be that if I reduced the doses of
Serrapeptase and Nattokinase the blood pressure rise would not be triggered, but
for the moment I am going to eliminate the Nattokinase. I continued with
the 240000iu dose and then continued with 40000 iu for around two months. My
Dupuytren's bend straightened significantly and the "claw" feeling has gone -
surgery for it was "postponed". I have now only taken it intermittently, but
will continue with it sometimes.
Emails
Q. I am taking 2g of
Acetyl-l-Carnitine a day to help my
Dupuytrens condition. it has worked for a few years and now it is not helping
halt the progression as much. Would taking 500mg of n acetyl cysteine be a
problem with 1 or 2g of acetyl-l carnitine? I didn't see any interaction
comments on these two supplements but I think they are similar so I wouldn't
want to overdose. I am also taking colchicine for the condition.
A. We have not seen any research with this combination. It is often
a good idea when adding a second supplement to see how low dosages affect you.
Initially taking half a capsule may be a good idea to see what kind of
interaction they have before proceeding with higher amounts. Some people
tolerate high dosages while others are very sensitive. I, personally, cannot
take more than 300 mg of acetylcarnitine a day since I get overstimulated.
Has any of your research demonstrated a relaxation
of Dupuytren's contractures? Should you look into it, some literature
speaks of SSKI, PABA, Vitamin E, And DMSO as a treatment and possible cure.
I have not studied the role of natural supplements as a
treatment for Dupuytren's contractures.
I am a healthy active male in my 60s living in the Channel
Island of Guernsey, UK. Just recently I had reason to visit my GP with a problem
with Erectile Dysfunction and was diagnosed with Peyronies Disease. Although
there is no pronounced curve in the penis he did detect fibrous tissue in the
shaft. Also I have occasional slight pain with erections. I had been taking a
natural prostate supplement for several years which included saw palmetto,
lycopene, beta sitosterol and zinc. I was advised to stop taking this as it
could be estrogenic. Is it possible that one of your products could safely
replace this product and/or help reduce the fibrin caused by the Peyronies?
At this time I am not aware of an effective natural treatment.
Surgical
Hand (N Y). 2015. Clinical outcomes following collagenase injections
compared to fasciectomy in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. The aim of
this study is to compare the efficacy of collagenase injections with that of
fasciectomy in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. Fasciectomy yields a
greater mean magnitude of correction for digital contractures at the latest
follow-up when compared to collagenase.