For years, Bill Starkey lived with a hand condition that slowly began limiting the activities he loved most.
A retired teacher who spent 27 years in the classroom, Bill is a lifelong music enthusiast and co-founder of the official KISS rock band fan club, KISS Army. He enjoys staying active by playing guitar, participating in church activities and pursuing creative projects.
But as Dupuytren’s disease, a condition in which thickened tissue forms under the palm and slowly pulls one or more fingers into a bent position, progressed in both of his hands, even simple everyday movements became increasingly difficult.
A condition years in the making
Bill’s hand issues trace back more than two decades. Around the year 2000, while working as a teacher for Indianapolis Public Schools, he broke two fingers on his left hand during a recess kickball game. The fingers were broken at a severe angle and required therapy as part of the recovery process.
During that time, a physician diagnosed Bill with Dupuytren’s disease. And as Bill found out, traumatic injuries can sometimes bring out symptoms of the condition in people who didn’t even realize they had it.
“When I first heard about my condition, I couldn’t believe it,” said Bill. “But as it progressed over time, it made sense with all the symptoms I was experiencing.”
Around 2013, Bill began noticing that the tightness in his left hand was worsening. He had trouble laying his hand flat, and the stiffness started affecting activities like playing guitar – something he had enjoyed for decades.
Finding the right specialist
Determined to find a physician experienced with the condition, Bill began researching treatment options. His search led him to Dr. Thomas Kaplan, a hand and upper extremity surgeon at Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, an OrthoIndy Practice, who is well-known for treating Dupuytren’s disease.
After evaluation, Bill and Dr. Kaplan chose to begin with injection treatments. Over the next decade, Bill received multiple rounds of injections, first in his left hand and later in his right as symptoms of Dupuytren’s disease developed there as well.
The injections helped restore enough dexterity for Bill to keep playing guitar and stay active, though Dr. Kaplan emphasized they were not a permanent fix. When the injections no longer provided lasting relief, surgery was recommended as the next step.
Surgery, rehabilitation and looking ahead
Bill underwent hand surgery in November 2025 and began an eight-week rehabilitation program to restore strength and movement. “My therapist at Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, Sam, made all the difference post-surgery!” Bill said.
Recovery started with having his stitches removed and gradually progressed through guided therapy, helping him restore function and regain confidence in using his hand.
“Today, the pain I used to have in my left hand is gone,” said Bill. “The results have been remarkable, and I am so thankful for providers like Dr. Kaplan who truly care about their patients. This is the best surgical experience I’ve had.”
Now, with his left hand healed, Bill knows exactly where he’ll turn when the time comes to treat his right hand – back to the team that restored his comfort and helped him return to what he loves most.
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