John Elway finally got his rare hand condition under control.
The Denver Broncos general manager, 64, opened up to PEOPLE about his treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture and how he can get back to doing what he loves without limitations.
The Hall of Famer first started experiencing symptoms in his 50s. He struggled with tightness and stiffness in his right arm that worsened over time. “The first thing I noticed was that I couldn’t put my hand straight on the table,” he tells PEOPLE.
But he didn’t pay much attention until the symptoms began to interfere with his love of football. That’s when the former Broncos quarterback knew it was time to get help.
“Even though I didn’t play anymore, I still loved kicking the soccer ball around and eventually I couldn’t do it,” he says. “So I thought something was wrong here.”
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John Elway in 1984 as a quarterback for the Denver Broncos.
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In 2019, Elway was finally diagnosed with Dupuytren’s contracture. Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition that causes one or more fingers to bend toward the palm, preventing them from straightening completely, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It usually occurs after the age of 50 and is more common in men. The condition is progressive and causes knots of tissue to form under the skin of the palms, eventually creating a thick cord that can pull one or more fingers into a bent position, which can be painful.
After receiving the official diagnosis, Elway was relieved to be able to name his condition.
“You’re kind of like, what’s going on? I made a living by throwing a soccer ball and now my right hand suddenly gets tight and I can’t grip the soccer ball – he explains. “So I was a little worried, but it’s also comforting to know what it’s all about.”
“It’s uncomfortable not knowing something,” he adds, “but once you understand it and have the facts at hand, you can begin that journey of finding your best option.”
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John Elway in 2013.
David Madison/Getty
There is no cure for Dupuytren’s disease, but the symptoms can be controlled. Treatment involves removing or breaking the cords that pull the fingers toward the palm. This can be done in a number of ways, usually through surgery.
“The last thing I wanted to do was have surgery,” Elway says. That’s when he was introduced to Xiaflex, the only FDA-approved non-surgical treatment for the condition.
“They give you an injection in your arm. Dupuytren’s is a buildup of collagen around the tendons of your hand so Xiaflex can break it down and 24 hours later you can free that finger. And I was back on the golf course in about a week,” says the two-time Super Bowl champion. “So you’re looking at a recovery time of one to two weeks, not six to eight weeks when it’s surgery.”
“It was amazing and I was able to get back into football,” he says.
Elway notes that while the condition is something he’ll always have to deal with, he gets “mental relief” from knowing his hands will be “pretty normal” until he needs more treatment.
“It’s good to know that you’ll be able to shake hands and go about your daily life without much inconvenience,” he says.
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John Elway in 2015.
John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty
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Since finding that relief and speaking publicly about his condition, Elway has been able to connect with others who have been diagnosed and resonate with his journey.
“I felt like I was able to help a lot of people with this,” he says. “You are not alone. It’s something we obviously all wish we didn’t have, but it’s nice to know you’re not the only one with this condition.”
Elway tells PEOPLE that he hopes he can educate others to take care of their health and avoid the mistakes he made.
“The sooner you start doing it, the better your chances of success,” he says. “So, even though I waited longer than I probably should have, I encourage people that if they feel tightness in their hands, see a hand specialist and stay with it.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education