Finger amputation need a hand hold.

[jmh740]

My cat bit me in August when I was trying to medicate her. Ive been on antibiotics since 28.8 but it was still badly infected. On Tuesday they told me the bone was infected and the surgeon wouldnt know how much unti he opened it up. I went into surgery for it to be cleaned out (for the 4th time) on Thursday. They hand is well bandaged and it looks like they have amputated between the first and second knuckle.
It was a real sock and I'm struggling to cope with the pain. Does anyone know what the future looks like for me?

How long will it take to heal?
What will I still be able to do?
What wont I be able to do?
Any tips and hints to aid recovery?

Im having the dressing changed tomorrow and a bit nervous to see it.

Oh you poor thing, what a shock.

Can someone be with you tomorrow when the dressing is changed, both for moral
support and to ask questions and take notes etc?

She cost me £1000 at the vets I need to get my moneys worth! During my work I've been bitten by dogs, children and fleas but apparently a cat and a human are the worst bites to recover from.
Id medicated her successfully for 3 days wrapped her in a blanket so she couldn't scratch me, I never thought she would bite me but she must have felt very ill and stressed.

Goodness me, what a nightmare. If they've documented 'tip', then I would expect it to be less than halfway down the nail. What makes you think so much has been removed?

That would be layperson speak for osteonecrosis due to infection no? Not that unusual to say.

Will be taking my husband. Really I just want my Mum but she died 4 years ago

It certainly would be to say to a patient at this stage

That’s good that he’s coming. Can I suggest he takes a notebook and pen and you both take absolutely as much time as you need to, until all your questions are answered? Don’t worry about being a bother.

I know two blokes who have had one and a half of their fingers amputated due to accidents with machinery. Not uncommon amongst farm workers. It doesn't stop them doing much, they carry on working as normal etc. It doesn't really bother them much.
Sorry for what you're going through OP but you'll be OK. Stay strong xx

I meant to type ‘you poor thing’ stupid phone!

Oh OP, this all sounds such a shock for you.

Good that your husband will be going with you and you can get some answers.

Do you have diabetes? Please make sure it is well controlled if so.

Not vulnerable or SN my husband is disabled im his carer, also dad's carer and have 2 teens at home so usually the one who keeps everything going.
I know they have amputated but dont know how much due to all the padding. The stump is lower down than my little finger which is why I think it is between both knuckles.
I knew amputation was a slight possibility when I went for the operation but I thought they would be able to save it. I didnt see the aurgeon post op they put me back in day surgery and told me to ring my husband to collect me in an hour. Sent me home with discharge papers and a slung with instructions to come back wed to see a nurse for a dressing change. Husband only just out for hospital from a heart operation so is meant to be resting.

Yes. Not as well controlled as could be but not been over 13 since 28th August, been trying to get it under control.

Can you post a screen shot of the discharge note blanking out anything identifying. That might help with advice

I'm glad you came back to correct it, as I could not work it out! 🤣

I think if they’ve said ‘tip’ on the notes it will only be above the top knuckle , so the nail part essentially. Hope you get well soon , cat bites + diabetes is an awful combo 💐

For a completely healthy adult, sure, but OP has mentioned down the thread that she is diabetic and that her blood sugars are not well-controlled. High blood sugar clogs and narrows arteries, so less blood reaches your extremities (fingers and toes) - getting less oxygenated blood slows healing anyway, and it also means that it’s harder for antibiotics to reach an infected finger wound through the bloodstream.

Finger and toe amputations are sadly not uncommon for Type 2 diabetics.

You may not "buy it" but believe it or not, there are times in the NHS when patients are not communicated with clearly.

Sounds as if you have a real time of it and i hope you are not in too much pain. When you gave your consent for the surgery surely they talked you through the options of what it might entail. To wake up and find that you have had an amputation without any prior explanation seems very wrong and highly unsual

Bottom of discharge

My husband is missing a finger at a similar point.

It doesn't really cause him any issue. It looks quite neat. No one really notices it unless pointed out.

In the early years he really felt the cold in it so you might need decent gloves or a hand warmer (but nig too hot). The oddest part was that he used to get a tiny sliver of nail trying to grow but that's not happened for a long time.

It’s too blurry to read

I don’t have any facts to offer. I can say that growing up, we always had a few teachers with shortened fingers. My secondary school offered a variety of academic and vocational courses and required everyone to take one tool based course for basic life skills when we were 11 or 12. There was something about the 1980s, teachers who worked with power tools, and partial finger amputations. They never seemed bothered by it.

This is horrifying to read,much sympathy to you.A few years ago I spent 3 nights in hospital and had a cat bite washed out under GA also IV ABs,my cat was also unwell and the incident happened at the vets!
Wishing you well x