No Surgical Incision
XIAFLEX is an injection, not an operation — the cord is weakened from within instead of being cut out.
Nonsurgical Hand Treatment
Dupuytren's Contracture Treatment with XIAFLEX® in Beckley & Ronceverte, WV
XIAFLEX® is a nonsurgical, in-office treatment for adults with Dupuytren's contracture when a cord can be felt in the palm — an injection and a short follow-up visit, with no surgical incision.
Request an Appointment →Please see Important Safety Information below.
What to Expect
- ✓Visit 1 — XIAFLEX® is injected directly into the cord that is bending your finger, and your hand is wrapped in a bandage
- ✓Visit 2 — about 1 to 3 days later, your provider gently extends the finger to break the weakened cord (local anesthesia may be used)
- ✓You go home with a splint to wear at bedtime, as instructed, for up to 4 months to help keep the finger straight
- ✓Daily at-home finger exercises help you keep your range of motion
- ✓Up to two cords in the same hand can be treated in one visit, and a cord can be treated up to 3 times, about 4 weeks apart, if needed
Benefits & Outcomes
Performed in Our Office
Both the injection and the finger extension procedure are done at our office, without an operating room or general anesthesia.
Targets the Cord Directly
XIAFLEX contains enzymes that break down the collagen in the cord, weakening it so the finger can be straightened.
A Simple Routine at Home
Recovery centers on a bedtime splint and a few daily finger exercises, and we tell you when it is okay to resume normal activities.
After Your Injection
- Keep your hand elevated until bedtime.
- Limit movement of the treated finger(s).
- Do not bend or straighten the treated finger(s) yourself — this helps keep the medicine in the cord.
After the Finger Extension Procedure
- Do your finger exercises each day as instructed.
- Wear the splint at bedtime to keep the finger(s) straight.
- Resume normal activities with the treated hand only when we tell you it is okay.
Common Side Effects
Swelling and bruising at the injection site are two of the most common side effects of XIAFLEX. The most common side effects for Dupuytren's contracture include:
- Swelling of the injection site or the hand
- Bruising or bleeding at the injection site
- Pain or tenderness of the injection site or the hand
- Swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) in the elbow or armpit
- Itching
- Breaks in the skin
- Redness or warmth of the skin
- Pain in the armpit
When to Call Our Office
Call us right away at (681) 251-8570 if you notice any of the following. If you have trouble breathing or other signs of a severe allergic reaction, call 911.
- !Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or increased redness or swelling
- !Numbness or tingling in the treated finger(s)
- !Increased pain, or tears in the skin of the treated finger(s) or hand
- !Trouble bending the injected finger(s) after the swelling goes down, or problems using your treated hand
- !Symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling in the face, breathing trouble, chest pain, low blood pressure, dizziness, or fainting
At-Home Finger Exercises
After treatment, your provider may prescribe finger exercises like these. They do not replace the instructions you receive at your visit — if you have questions, call us.
- 1Lay your hand flat on a table. Raise each finger, one at a time, and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times, 4 times a day.
- 2Lay your hand flat on a table. Move each finger from side to side like a windshield wiper, one at a time. Repeat 10 times, 4 times a day.
- 3Bend only the top two joints of all your fingers, keeping your knuckles straight, then arch your knuckles back. Repeat 10 times in a row, 4 times a day.
- 4Use your other hand to gently straighten the treated finger, holding for 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times, 4 times a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dupuytren's contracture?▾
Dupuytren's contracture is a condition in which the tissue beneath the skin of the palm thickens and forms a cord. Over time, the cord can pull one or more fingers — most often the ring and small fingers — into a bent position that cannot be fully straightened.
Who is a candidate for XIAFLEX®?▾
XIAFLEX® is FDA-approved for adults with Dupuytren's contracture when a cord can be felt in the palm. Dr. Stapleton will examine your hand, measure the contracture, and review your health history and medications — including blood thinners — to decide whether XIAFLEX, surgery, or monitoring is the best fit for you.
How is XIAFLEX® different from surgery?▾
Surgery for Dupuytren's contracture removes or divides the cord through an incision. XIAFLEX is injected into the cord in the office, and the finger is straightened at a follow-up visit 1 to 3 days later. Each approach has its own benefits and risks, and we will talk through both with you.
How many treatments will I need?▾
It depends on your contracture. If a contracture remains about 4 weeks after treatment, the cord can be treated again — up to 3 times per cord. Up to two cords in the same hand can be treated during one visit.
What is recovery like?▾
Swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the hand are common afterward. You will wear a splint at bedtime and do daily finger exercises, and we will let you know when you can return to normal activities with that hand.
Is XIAFLEX® covered by insurance?▾
Coverage varies by insurance plan and may require prior authorization. Call our office and we will help you understand your options.
Important Safety Information for XIAFLEX®
XIAFLEX® is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with Dupuytren's contracture when a “cord” can be felt. It is not known if XIAFLEX is safe and effective in children under the age of 18.
Do not receive XIAFLEX if you are allergic to collagenase clostridium histolyticum, any of the ingredients in XIAFLEX, or any other collagenase product.
XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects, including:
- Tendon rupture or ligament damage. Receiving an injection of XIAFLEX may cause damage to a tendon or ligament in your hand and cause it to break or weaken. This could require surgery to fix the damaged tendon or ligament. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have trouble bending your injected finger (towards the wrist) after the swelling goes down or you have problems using your treated hand after your follow-up visit.
- Nerve injury or other serious injury of the hand. After finger procedures, some people developed tears in the skin (lacerations), and local skin and soft-tissue necrosis (death of skin cells). Some lacerations and necrosis required skin grafting, or other surgery including amputation. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get numbness, tingling, increased pain, or tears in the skin (laceration) in your treated finger or hand after your injection or after your follow-up visit.
- Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. Severe allergic reactions can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX because it contains foreign proteins. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction after an injection of XIAFLEX: hives, swollen face, breathing trouble, chest pain, low blood pressure, or dizziness or fainting.
- Fainting. Fainting or near fainting can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX, especially following finger procedures. If you have dizziness or feel faint after receiving XIAFLEX, lie down until the symptoms go away.
- Increased chance of bleeding. Bleeding or bruising at the injection site can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a problem with your blood clotting. XIAFLEX may not be right for you.
Before receiving XIAFLEX, tell your healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to a XIAFLEX injection in the past, have a bleeding problem, have received XIAFLEX to treat another condition, have any other medical conditions, or are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using XIAFLEX with certain other medicines can cause serious side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines to thin your blood (anticoagulants). If you are told to stop taking a blood thinner before your XIAFLEX injection, your healthcare provider should tell you when to restart the blood thinner.
The most common side effects of XIAFLEX for Dupuytren's contracture include swelling of the injection site or the hand; bruising or bleeding at the injection site; pain or tenderness of the injection site or the hand; swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) in the elbow or armpit; itching; breaks in the skin; redness or warmth of the skin; and pain in the armpit. These are not all of the possible side effects of XIAFLEX.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
XIAFLEX® is a registered trademark of Keenova Therapeutics, plc or one of its affiliates.
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