A Member who recently joined PinnacleCare through PinnacleCare’s partnership with the Cliffs Communities found himself experiencing a problem with his hand. Gradually, and involuntarily, the tendons in his hand would slowly draw his fingers into a fist. The Member shared this issue with his PinnacleCare Advocate.

The PinnacleCare Advocate collected the Member’s information on all of the symptoms that he was experiencing and how they had been evolving over the past few months. She then utilized PinnacleCare’s unique resources to research an accurate diagnosis. The Advocate found that her Member was experiencing all of the symptoms relating to Dupuytren’s Contracture - an abnormal thickening of tough tissue in the palm and fingers that can cause the fingers to curl.

The next step was finding the best treatment available. Surgery remains the most common treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture. However, this type of surgery involves numerous risks, an opportunity for complications, and a recommendation of two months recovery time with a physical therapist.

In her research, the PinnacleCare Advocate discovered that a few people with her Member’s condition had traveled to France to receive a new procedure developed by a physician in Paris called “needle aponeurotomy”. The PinnacleCare Advocate discussed the procedure with her Member, and together they decided that it was the best option available.

The PinnacleCare Advocate facilitated an appointment for the Member with one of the leading hand specialists in the country for him to receive this procedure. He left the office after an hour with only a few circular bandages covering his hand.

The Member’s response: “All I can say is ‘amazing.’ I got instant relief, no pain, a short recovery, and no complications. I would highly recommend the procedure to anyone with a similar problem.”