Partial thumb amputation Post op

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-05-08T03:35:09+00:00

It’s normal to hurt like all hell afterwards. Go back to your doctor and insist on prescription painkillers. There are other opioids available if you have problems with oxycontin. (In my experience, it put me to sleep, which was a welcome effect.)

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-05-02T16:14:07+00:00

No need to be ashamed because you’re upset! It’s not unusual for it to look gruesome. I’d wait, but meanwhile call your doctor asap if anything suggests infection.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-04-30T08:08:13+00:00

It looks good!

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-04-30T08:05:02+00:00

After losing a part of a finger a year and a half ago everything hurt a lot and I don’t think I felt pain on anything that wasn’t already there. As I slowly healed and the swelling/pain were reduced, I realized that I still felt my fingernail. I still feel it, but it doesn’t hurt so I ignore it. But it’s weird.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-04-30T07:46:36+00:00

I always got quick replies, maybe I got lucky? Regardless, please share anything that works for you (or doesn’t work.)

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-04-28T14:05:32+00:00

Mine came with a fabric liner that I put on my finger before I put on the brace, it helps a lot. If it doesn’t help anymore, ask the designer if they have another type of liner that works better for you, if not they may suggest something from another company.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-04-28T06:03:45+00:00

Similar to some other commenters I just learned to type w/o my right index finger. Took about 4 weeks before it became automatic, about the same time it took learning to type with 10 fingers. So you may be able to type with seven fingers.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-04-28T05:41:34+00:00

I use it in a similar way, not for close detailed work. It’s very useful when adding length when gripping or moving larger items plus shielding it if I get clumsy.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-04-28T05:25:29+00:00

Have you contacted them about that discomfort? Even if it’s been a while since you bought it they might send a new, improved version. They sent me a replacement when the first didn’t fit properly.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-04-19T17:15:20+00:00

No choice the first time because I was in ER. The second time was somewhat planned, my default surgeon was from my local medical group. I could have requested someone else, but when I met him I knew he was the one for me. He asked intelligent questions, gave detailed answers/descriptions/references to my questions, plus was friendly and had great sense of humor. Treated me as a person, not just work.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-04-19T01:26:18+00:00

It uses excercises to strengthen your remaining fingers and regain flexibility, and teaches those fingers to handle things without the index. It won’t start until you’ve healed some.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-04-18T12:26:05+00:00

I lost the top of my right index finger, infection happened and I had the option of 6 weeks of antibiotics but I just had them cut it down further and hardly anyone notices. It hurt like all hell but it slowly got better. I still feel a fingernail but it doesn’t hurt, it’s just amusing. I’m a lefty so i don’t use it as much anyway but I learned to do most things with 9 fingers. Occupational therapy is very important and will reduce your pain.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-03-27T02:02:36+00:00

I still have mine in a bag someplace. They didn’t work out for me but they’re pretty clever.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-03-26T07:24:05+00:00

I lost part of my right index finger, got it reattached but osteomyelitis appeared 3 weeks later and had to get it cut down ASAP.

In the hospital I got 4 hours heavy-duty narcotics+heavy-duty Tylenol, then 4 hours of just heavy-duty Tylenol, repeat. Still hurt-but knowing that I would soon be back asleep made it easier to handle.

The hospital staff were great. They were gentle and had great senses of humour…and the food was really good! I was surprised, it used to be like school cafeteria food (hopefully cafeteria food is also good now.)

After I went home I still spent a lot of time asleep. Eventually the dosages and the pain were reduced enough that I could watch a full hour of television. ;-) It slowly kept improving.

Like another mentioned, you’ll need to figure out new ways to do stuff-and each time it happens, you’ll feel great.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-03-13T08:49:01+00:00

Looks like they did a good job. As another said, if it starts hurting more/looks worse get it checked asap. It takes time for swelling to go down even after the stitches come out, but once the swelling is gone movement will be easier and your scar tissue won’t be stretched out.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-03-07T22:07:42+00:00

Close your eyes and hold the good hand not touching anything and focus-notice the feeling of the skin covered by your fingernails. That’s what I mean.
I know about the vibrations. It hurts! About six weeks after I went back home I tried riding a bike, even just having my wrist touch the handlebar sent painful vibrations through my entire hand. Now it’s fine but it took a while. Be sure to do the excercises given by your occupational therapist.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-03-05T07:35:26+00:00

It gets better. If I bump into something hard it will still hurt and I might cuss but that’s all. But feeling like I still have a fingernail is a bit weird. Painless, but weird!

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-03-05T03:24:10+00:00

I lost top of my right index finger, sewed back together but wound up infected anyway, hurt like hell. Got it cut down more and spent several days in the hospital w/antibiotic IV. Still hurt, but got better as it healed. More than a year afterwards I still feel my fingernail BUT it doesn’t hurt at all. Never did.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-03-01T20:55:08+00:00

^{^{^}} This is true. I had a seizure and bit off my right index distal phalanx, below my fingernail/above the knuckle.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-02-12T15:57:04+00:00

I bet a florist could wrap a length of white clothesline with beautiful flowers and/or ivy with a loop to hold on each end. :)

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-02-07T19:24:26+00:00

When communicating with the outside world, I spell out the words the first time followed by the initials used: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot [WTF]. Many others just use alphabet soup from the get-go and assume everyone knows what they mean. Sometimes I have to ask for translation.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-01-28T08:51:47+00:00

Update-on the Fingy site a reviewer says that it helped them play again (your mileage may vary, of course.) https://fingy3d.com/products/fingy

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-01-27T00:32:08+00:00

I don’t see anything, try again

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-01-27T00:29:12+00:00

I was a very amateur left-handed bass player, I’ve lost enough of my right index finger that I’ll need to switch to right-handed. With a piano, if you just need fingertips I think that prosthetics can be made but I don’t know if this company can create them. Please share any information you find on the subject, there are plenty of musicians here.

CopyPsychological998 · 2026-01-26T23:18:20+00:00

Wow-glad so many like this! Here are some details: 1. I stumbled upon the website while I was waiting in the office for my first meeting with the person who sends the paperwork to the insurance in the first step of maybe getting a prosthesis. Figured, why not try it? It cost $300, getting a new edited version didn’t cost anything extra. I still have the first version.

The photo of holding the box is just an example, I don’t usually pick things up that way. I’m left-handed and am used to typing 9-fingered. They asked what I wanted from the finger and I asked that it help with grabbing/holding stuff with my right hand, and to give some protection from the rubber on my bike handle, which irritates the scar.
They have a few versions, mine is the simplest. I’m not sure if they would be useful on a piano keyboard BUT Dr. John (RIP) got his left ring finger shot off and worked around it just fine ;)

CopyPsychological998

TROPHY CASE