It’s Day 13 of Dealing with Dupuytren’s. I feel lucky.

 

The Penguins won the Stanley Cup. The Steel City rejoiced. My cup runneth over with physical therapy – most of which I can do alongside Elaine in the comfort our lakeside home.

Last Thursday I met with Dr. Williamson in his swanky office. Off came the bandages after nine days of two-finger imprisonment. There was dried blood and zigzag stitches. I loved it. The sight of my pinkie darn near parallel with my other fingers was the most beautiful thing I had seen since Elaine on our wedding day. I was beyond ecstatic. It was Santa and the Easter Bunny in June.

 

The good doctor said everything “looked good” and provided a referral to Kelowna Physiotherapy Associates two floors down. How convenient. At KPA, I met up with Linda Smith – a Certified Hand Therapist. 

Linda first made a simple tracing of my hand on a piece of paper. Then we got into the physio show-and-tell of tendon gliding, blocking the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints, and blocking the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. The rules were simple – ice the key fingers first then do these exercises multiple times per day. A little bleeding and pain was not a bad thing. Tendons had to be re-trained. Proper technique was crucial. No slacking. Ice again after each session.

The final piece of the therapy puzzle was a sleek-fitting splint. Linda made, molded, and added the Velcro straps right there on the spot. How cool was that? She slipped it on my hand and strapped me in.  Instructions were to wear it between sessions and while sleeping. Totally my discretion.

 

I woke up this morning with a sticky splint. There was light palm bleeding overnight. Maybe the stitches were dissolving, as expected? No worries. I soaped up everything and restored order. My pinkie is still very stiff and very much staying straighter. PT starts now. Ice pack cometh. Wish me luck.