Denver Broncos general manager John Elway fought in a lot of battles on the field when he was a quarterback but for the last 15 years he has been dealing with a different fight off the field.
15 years ago Elway was diagnosed with Dupuytren's contracture, also known as Viking's Disease, which is a slowly progressing condition that eventually leads to hand disability.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition causes knots to form under the skin which can pull one or more fingers into a permanent bent position.
Elway told TODAY when he was first diagnosed it was his ring fingers that were affected and it got so bad he couldn't even pick up a football.
“When I saw my hand doctor, the only option was surgery,” Elway said. “I wasn't interested in more surgeries. I've had so many surgeries during my playing career. At that point in time I didn't want to have another one.”
Elway has taken the non-surgical treatment route, in the last couple of years has had the non-surgical treatment that has straightened out his fingers. Elway said there is a chance the fingers could always go back, but for right all fingers are straight.
Elway said his best advice to someone who thinks they might have it is to get it treated as soon as possible.
“There are all different types of treatment available, it's just important to get to your hand doctor and catch it early,” he explained. “If they anyone is experiencing a contraction in the fingers, and it's limiting the things they can do and it's sore, that's the time to go and see the doctor.”
Follow Us
Subscribe