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.

OP, very sorry for you, what a shock it must have been.

However, thank God they went in and did take the bad part away, you could have lost more than the top of your finger had the infection continued to spread. I know it's scant comfort at the moment but it could have been a lot lot worse. You made the right decision and so did they.

Good luck 🍀

My nan was missing maybe half her index finger following an accident. You could barely notice and it didn’t affect her too badly.

im so sorry op. What a shock!

I did understand it could be a possibility but thought it was a slim possibility. He said if you have a local I can discuss with you what needs doing, id already had 3 locals and nothing seemed to be making it better so I told him he was the expert and to do what he needed to do to give me the best chance of recovery. I didnt see any surgeon post op. I was home an hour after returning to day surgery ward. I saw one nurse who basically gave me a brew a cheese sandwich and helped me get dressed and showed me how to wear the sling I was still pretty out of it when I got home.

I know loads of people with missing fingers/tops off OP, and no one notices. I mean really, no one notices, and you don’t get practical trouble either.

It’s quite common. My mate aged 28 sliced hers off in an art studio, grandad lost one at work, know lots of farm workers who had them off & one bloke who lost the same tip as yours in a fight with a filing cabinet.

If it was that badly infected you’re much better off without it and you’ll start feeling better shortly.

You’ve been bloody brave. The future will be a lot simpler and less painful. But look after yourself, now, you deserve it. 💐

Also, it’s MUCH safer to get the whole thing off than dither.

Could you repost?

I just did a screen shot of the letter from my gp notes so it would still look the same, if you click on it its clearer when it opens up.

I work in a school with pupils with SEN so know the kids will notice and ask me about it, was thinking of saying a shark bit it off!

It isn’t

You poor thing, it must be awful being in pain for such a long time and now not knowing the extent of it. Hope you can start to feel a bit easier once you’ve seen it.

For those doubting, cat bites can be awful. My FIL was hospitalised for a week after a pretty minor bite from a neighbours cat. Watch out for cats!

Which is why I just said do what u need to do. I had already had it opened and cleaned 3 times. I just want yo get back to work and back to some form of normality. I love to knit and crochet so expect I will have to learn ways to do that without the index finger.

Sorry, its no clearer by clicking on it. Its too blurring to read. Can you try again?

I once taught a boy whose entire arm was missing and I got through several lessons before I even noticed. It doesn’t say much for my powers of observation but our minds are often on other things.

Make sure you attend hand therapy and do your physio.

That must have been such a shock for you. If it helps, when I was a child my father's index finger on his right hand became badly infected from a splinter and had to be amputated to save his hand/arm. Even though he was right-handed he adapted remarkably well to the loss of his finger and we children barely noticed quite soon. It certainly didn't stop him doing the all practical things he was so good at.

My DH went through something similar OP - it wasn’t a cat bite but it was an infection under the finger nail. He’s diabetic and infection took hold. He was told it the tip would need to be amputated after a couple of attempts to clean it out under a GA failed. It was amputated just below the first knuckle and is now healed and fine. As in your own case the surgeon said he couldn’t be sure how much of the finger would be taken until he actually opened it up as X-rays and other tests often don’t tell the whole story.

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Yep, that’s how I read it. My DH was told the same - infection can cause bone death.

My dh lost the end of his finger in an accident. He had to go to the surgery for dressing changes due to risk of infection. That was a few years ago now and he’s all healed and carrying on as normal.

We don’t really notice now unless he says something about it and it doesn’t affect his day to day life.

OP are you diabetic ? If so you need to make sure that any antibiotic treatment, including changing the tablets according to results, is adhered to. Watch your blood sugar as there is a link between high glucose and infection. It’s important to keep on top of things. If you notice any unusual swelling or the pain worsens suddenly, get medical advice.

My grandma always knitted with her middle left finger despite having the full compliment, she said she found it easier as that finger was longer and that woman could knit like a demon!

There are an awful lot of "how to" videos online. I found a series from a woman who had lost her left arm which really helped when I was a single mother with a frozen shoulder. I couldnt put my hair up, carry heavy "two handed" loads etc without help until I found her vids.

Humans are remarkable in the work arounds we can find.

Wishing you a speedy recovery x

My DF had part of a finger amputated after an accident at work. Make sure you do your physio and be kind to yourself as you get used to it. It doesn't impede him now. You will adapt but honestly, be kind to yourself and take your time.

I'm sorry you're having a bad time op 💞

I hope my post provides some reassurance and hope.

My dad is now 71 and lost 2 fingers on his dominant hand in his early 20s. Crush injury - they couldn't be saved! His index finger was partially off but stitched back on, though there is no feeling in part of it.

He spent 6 months going through rehab and physio and relearning skills.

However, he has honestly lived a completely normal life and having 2 fingers missing hasn't stopped him doing anything at all 😊
Even now, although he has some arthritis in the hand, he lives a normal life. He and my mum still love their touring caravan and he recently towed it all across France through the summer!

There may be some adjustment for you but there's no reason why you won't be able to live a completely normal life.

I was a nanny for a military family (well, in total four, over the years) and one of the dads had to have a finger amputation.

Very similar story to yours. Infection that wouldn't clear up, injury - not by cat - but in Afghanistan so probably a bit relaxed in treatment at the time. I suppose nobody had time for a finger when other things were going on.

He was a tough bloke, a paratrooper, and it still hit him quite hard. I don't remember him talking much about the pain but he was worried that his two little girls would be frightened of the look of it or wouldn't want him to hold their hands or be near them. It was his wedding ring finger.

They didn’t really mind at all. They were six and two at the time.

It's a loss, OP and it does impact you. Don't feel bad for being upset by it. It's natural.

You should regain most of the function but take it easy. You're in physical and mental shock right now.

Let us know how things go on.

My BIL is missing two fingers after an accident. He is not as good at the guitar or piano anymore, which is a shame as he is a talented musician, but he can still play a bit. Otherwise there's nothing much it causes him problems with.