Third Surgery Update. *WARNING - GRAPHIC PICTURES*

[Matt R]

I had my third surgery on November 20th, 2007. Scheduled for this operation was a simple tendon transfer. From my index finger was taken one of two tendons and then attached to my ring finger which had none. Simply just to give motion to the ring finger which had none. That part went well.

Before the third operation the doctor and I decided it would also benefit me to have a steel rod placed in my middle finger since it was fusing at the mid joint, making it stay bent. While in surgery having that part done, the doctor straightened out my middle finger which had been bent for some time. When he did, the skin on the under part of my middle fingers joint ripped away. Since a gaping whole would be a bad thing, a small skin graft was done to replace the lost skin. The skin to cover my middle finger was taken from the side of my hand.

After the swelling and pain goes away, my hand should almost be in working order. I'm able to use my left thumb and index finger fine, but after having this operation hopefully the whole hand will have better function.

I've got a video I took that's just under three minutes. Can't get it up on YouTube or Imageshack though.


Where the skin graft was done. Metal rod in same finger.


Here you can see two lines of stitches. One to take a tendon. One to replace it.


Here is the part where the skin was taken to cover the middle finger.
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/5319/dsc06792wz7.jpg (Won't hotlink for some reason.)

 

[Sting]

Palm is looking quite good, those doctors done well. Everything seems to be going alright for you with a few complications, happy for ya.

OT: but for the love of god, change your avatar.

 

[Philly]

I'm glad all is going well and that you will soon have improved use of your hand:tup:. And once the stitches are gone, it shouldn't look too bad.

Is there anything else coming up? Therapy or surgery

And it is really amazing how one instant of not paying attention can instantly screw up a year or more of life. I have a friend who will probably never get to play sports again after going in for a second surgery after going in for the same ACL surgery he went through a year ago this Christmas.

 

[Formula1Driver]

Those are some nice looking pictures, if you don't mind me asking how did this happen? We never spoke before but hopefully it all works out and you can get all the use out of your hand,

Have a good recovery!

 

[Gil]

I went back and found your post on the incident that goobered up your hand.
All things considered, that table saw didn't do near the carnage I expected to see.
But then, you've been to "the shop" and had some work done previously.

I notice that your pinky looks like it got broken pretty badly.

The bend/curve in it looks like it came off your/somebody's right hand.

The suture lines in your palm look really good.
I commend your surgeons.
I hope you get back more ROM in that hand.
Good luck, good healing.👍

 

[Formula1Driver]

I read your earlier post and what happened is really terribly bad luck. Who knows, maybe there will be a breakthrough in the future and you will be able to use your hand 100% again. It really puts into perspective of how we take things for granted, I will be sure to warn my big brother (who is in construction) to watch out and be careful.

Im rooting for you over here.

 

[Omnis]

You should name your hand Igor. Good luck with its healing.

 

[dimplz]

hope it heals fully...so you can play gt4 again

 

[Event]

Those are some nice looking pictures, if you don't mind me asking how did this happen? We never spoke before but hopefully it all works out and you can get all the use out of your hand,

Have a good recovery!

Here are the cliff notes:

Saw + hand

 

[FoolKiller]

Looks like things are coming along. It is good to see that the complications are mostly minor and I have to say there are much less signs of atrophy than I expected, which means you are working with the hand. 👍


Take care of it, man, and just remember to keep up with what you need to do to get better.


I know at the time you had to put school on hold for a bit. I was wondering if you are back in or what's going on there? Basically, I understand that something like this doesn't just mess up your hand, it upsets your whole life for a time. How is everything outside the medical stuff going?

 

[Matt R]

Is there anything else coming up? Therapy or surgery

I've for sure got more therapy to look forward too. I don't think I'll be having any more surgeries done. Three is about all I can take in a year ya know? If later the doctor says another op will be beneficial I'll be open to it. I want a break for a while though.

I notice that your pinky looks like it got broken pretty badly.

The bend/curve in it looks like it came off your/somebody's right hand.

I broke it playing football a month or two before the accident.

I know at the time you had to put school on hold for a bit. I was wondering if you are back in or what's going on there? Basically, I understand that something like this doesn't just mess up your hand, it upsets your whole life for a time. How is everything outside the medical stuff going?

School is on hold for a while. I know the smart thing to do is get back in and all but I just don't have the head space right now. My primary focus is my hand and getting it at the best level possible. I'm busy with therapy which takes up a minimum of three days per week. We'll see what happens.



But, all is well in my neck of the woods. Thanks for the kind words guys.

 

[Kent]

Sorry to hear or rather, see the trouble. I hope things continue to get better. 👍
If it isn't too painful or intrusive, may I ask what cause this problem?
In any case, good luck and best wishes.

 

[Matt R]

If it isn't too painful or intrusive, may I ask what cause this problem?

The culprit.

 

[JosX]

I remember your other thread, from not ever being able to clench a fist to this is pretty good going! Good luck!

 

[Kent]

The culprit.

Ouch!
I used to work with one of those on a daily basis and it was always the most nerve-wrecking part of the day.
That and the hand held circular saws.
I hope the pain isn't too much and I certainly hope you get full use out of your hand again.
My thoughts are with you.