Home | Specialties | Hand & Upper Extremity | Xiaflex Injections
What are Xiaflex Injections?
Xiaflex Injections are a non-surgical treatment designed to address conditions affecting the hand and upper extremity, specifically Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease. Xiaflex is an enzyme (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) that breaks down the collagen buildup causing the abnormal tissue formation. This treatment can significantly improve hand function and reduce deformity, offering an effective alternative to surgery.
Why Might You Need Xiaflex Injections?
Xiaflex Injections may be recommended if you experience:
- Dupuytren’s Contracture: A condition where thickened tissue in the palm leads to finger(s) bending inward.
- Peyronie’s Disease: A condition causing curved, painful erections due to plaque buildup in the penis.
What Are the Steps in a Xiaflex Injection Procedure?
Preoperative Preparation
- Medical Evaluation: Comprehensive review of your medical history, symptoms, and previous treatments.
- Diagnostic Assessment: Physical examination and possibly imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis and extent of the condition.
- Informed Consent: Detailed discussion of the procedure, potential benefits, and risks.
During the Procedure
- Patient Positioning: You will be comfortably positioned to allow easy access to the affected area.
- Local Anesthesia: The skin around the injection site may be numbed to minimize discomfort.
- Guided Injection: Using anatomical landmarks, the Xiaflex solution is precisely injected into the cord or plaque causing the contracture or deformity.
- Injection Process: The enzyme works to break down the collagen buildup over a period of days.
Postoperative Care
- Observation: Brief period of monitoring after the injection to ensure there are no immediate side effects.
- Activity Guidelines: Recommendations on limiting activity and avoiding strenuous use of the hand for a short period.
- Follow-Up Manipulation: For Dupuytren’s contracture, a follow-up visit may be scheduled to manipulate the finger and help break the cord after the enzyme has softened the tissue.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Postoperative Care
- Immediate Effects: Many patients experience significant improvement in hand function shortly after the enzyme takes effect.
- Pain Monitoring: Keeping a diary of pain and functionality levels to track the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Follow-Up Appointments: Scheduled to assess your response to the injection and plan any further treatments if necessary.
Potential Complications
While Xiaflex Injections are generally safe, potential complications can include:
- Swelling and Bruising: Common around the injection site.
- Pain: Temporary pain or tenderness at the injection site.
- Skin Tears: Possible during manipulation of the finger in Dupuytren’s contracture.
- Allergic Reaction: Rare but possible allergic reaction to the injected medication.
Benefits of Xiaflex in
Hand & Upper Extremity Management
- Non-Surgical Treatment: Effective alternative to invasive surgery.
- Significant Improvement: Reduction in contracture and improvement in hand function.
- Minimally Invasive: Less downtime and quicker recovery compared to surgical options.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Improved ability to perform daily activities and engage in social interactions.
