What happens if your thumb is amputated?

Thumb amputation, partial or complete, results in loss of palmer grip, side-to-side pinch, and tip-to-tip pinch. Amputation of one of the other digits causes less functional loss. Transverse digit amputations occur at one or more digits and can be fit with functional finger prostheses. Ulnar amputations (see Fig.

Are you disabled if you lose a thumb?

A traumatic amputation is the loss of a body part—usually a finger, toe, arm, or leg—that occurs as the result of an accident or trauma. An amputation is considered a disabling condition by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and may qualify you for SSD benefits.

How long does it take for an amputated thumb to heal?

Depending on the size of the wound, it will take from 2 to 6 weeks for the wound to fill in with new skin. Once healed, you should regain most feeling in the new skin.

Can your thumb grow back?

Wounds to the fingers typically heal well because fingers have an excellent blood supply. Usually, with clean amputations of the fingertip (or even the digit itself), surgery is not needed. In general, for a fingertip injury to grow back fully, the injury must occur beyond where the fingernail starts.

Can you get a prosthetic thumb?

Our thumb prosthesis is designed for people who have lost their thumb at or near the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. It is a mechanical, passive device with a robust construction. The Point Thumb empowers people with partial thumb amputation by giving them more mobility, function, and independence.

Fingertip Amputations And How To Treat Them

Can you live without a thumb?

People can obviously survive without thumbs, but even simple tasks become very challenging, said Dr. Bobby Chhabra, an orthopedic surgeon and co-founder of the University of Virginia Hand Center.

How much does a thumb prosthesis cost?

Silicone hand prostheses prices

The price of a silicone hand prosthesis is between $3,500 to $5,500.

Why would a thumb need surgery?

Surgery Is Sometimes Needed

If the ligaments are damaged or the surgeon cannot align the bones externally your orthopedic physician may suggest surgical treatment. In most cases the surgery involves the use of screws and wires to put the thumb back into alignment.

Can a thumb be transplanted?

All patients were satisfied with their new hands and were able to use them in their daily activities. The transplants for reconstructing the thumb and fingers are harvested from the same foot in a procedure known as one-foot donation. Function of the bilateral digitless hand can be recovered with this procedure.

Do fingerprints grow back after cut?

You can scar your fingerprints with a cut, or temporarily lose them through abrasion, acid or certain skin conditions, but fingerprints lost in this way will grow back within a month. As you age, skin on your fingertips becomes less elastic and the ridges get thicker.

Can you use your hand after thumb surgery?

You can use your hand for very light activities of daily living, such as eating, writing, typing, getting dressed, and brushing your teeth. Avoid any heavy gripping, pulling, or pinching with the thumb until your surgeon or therapist says you may do these things.

Does it hurt to amputate a finger?

Your fingertips have many nerves and are very sensitive, so the injury may be very painful.

How do you preserve an amputated thumb?

Gently clean the amputated part with water or, if possible, with sterile saline solution. Cover it in a moistened gauze wrap. Place it in a sealed watertight bag, making sure there are no tears in the bag that could let water in. Place the bag on ice in a sealed container or another watertight bag.

Are thumbs fingers medically?

The thumb, and the rest of the fingers, are appendages or digits of the hand. While the thumb is distinctly different from the other four fingers, many medical professionals consider it a finger due to differences in size, bones, joints, and function.

Will they use your big toe if you lose your thumb?

For patients that lose their entire thumb, only a full toe transfer can provide them "optimal rather than adequate function." Either the big toe or second toe can be used for the transfer, although the bulbous big toe better matches a thumb's appearance and function.

What do they replace a thumb with?

Thumb Arthroplasty Surgery

Your surgeon will make an incision on the skin over your thumb joint. He will remove part or all of your wrist bone. He may also remove part of your thumb bone. He will reconstruct your joint using cartilage, a tendon taken from your forearm, or an artificial implant.

What is the success rate of thumb surgery?

Ruch, LRTI has a 96 percent success rate. “Most patients achieve complete pain relief and mobility equal to that of a healthy thumb, with results lasting at least 15 to 20 years,” he says.

How painful is thumb surgery?

Because of the smaller incisions, there is only mild surgical pain, and many patients only require oral pain medicine for the first few days after surgery. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, stability of the thumb base is maintained and additional incisions for using your own tendon are not needed.

How long does a thumb operation take?

The operation usually takes an hour to 90 minutes. Your surgeon will make a small cut on the back of your hand at the base of your thumb, and remove the trapezium. Your surgeon may construct a ligament to connect the thumb to your wrist using a tendon that runs over the trapezium.

What happens after thumb surgery?

After surgery your thumb will be immobilized in a splint for about 6 weeks (a non-removable splint will be worn for the first 10 days, and then a lighter removable splint for the remainder of the 6 weeks that can be taken off to shower and wash your hands).

Are hand prosthetics covered by insurance?

Employer-sponsored insurance

According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), small group insurance plans cover the Essential Health Benefits, and this includes prosthetics. Even if you work for a large corporation, you might find that their insurance plan offers coverage for prosthetic limbs.

Are prosthetic fingers covered by insurance?

Just as a doctor's experience with finger and partial hand amputations may impact outcomes, the insurance provider can also affect time, costs, and coverage. Most insurance providers will cover some, if not all, of the costs associated with your prosthesis.

How long does a prosthetic finger last?

With proper care a silicone prosthesis may last 3-5 years. Creation of your prosthesis usually begins three months after you are completely healed from surgery. This waiting period allows time for swelling to subside and for the remainder of your hand to take its final shape.