[*kat*]

Hi everyone

My DS who is 2.5 lost part of his little finger in a slamming front door last Thursday. We originally went to St John of God Murdoch (as this is close by) and then were shipped off to PMH.

Much later that night a plastic surgeon reattached his finger, but didnt really give me an idea of the chances of reattachment.

Just wanting to find out if you have been through a similar experience, or maybe know of someone that has?

Trying to restrain a toddler from play is difficult, and of course he keeps falling over and banging his hand ! I feel bad enough this has happened to him, and want to give it every chance to accept the amputated part attaching.

Also want to know how often it will need to get checked etc, infection is a major issue, and thats hard to tell when he is fully bandaged.

I do go back in a few days - but thought I would see if anyone else has been through this.

cheers

Katrina

[Glorious]

My brother had his middle finger amputated while cleaning his motorbike chain with the engine on (DOH!) but due to the location and severity of the cut he could not have it re-attached. I think that the fact that they have even attempted to re-attach the finger is a good sign. How much of the finger was lost? and how fast were you able to have the operation?

[Charliebear21]

My brother did the same thing slamming his finger in a door his was the distal knuckle and left bone exposed.. He was 8
Docs did reattach it but even now he has no nail and no sensation in that tip but hasn't stopped him his still an mechanical engineer

This post has been edited by *~Lisa~*: 26/02/2013, 07:40 AM

[kickoponomusinsi...]

I'm not in WA, so can't comment on that side of things.

My 11yr old when he was 15months old had an accident that severed his big toe just past the nail bed. Like you, we initally presented at the closest local hospital and were transfered to one of the nearby major ones where it was reattached.

He had no issues with the reattachment, it healed well, although it was difficult keeping him from walking on it or trying to pull the bandages off.

He does have a few issues with part of the toe being numb though, so we make sure he checks his feet every other day just to make sure he hasn't injured it.

Good luck with your sons finger. Poor little man.

[laridae]

My cousin had that happen when he was about that age - reattached just fine and he's now a doctor.

[Luvmy4]

Not my kids but me when I was 3 I severed my finger at the end knuckle.
It was re attached. I have a slight deformity of the nail & some loss of sensation at the fingertip bit it is fine.

My parents were told had I been a year or two older I probably would have lost it but small kids heal very well. As things have come a long way since then I would say your little one has a good chance of keeping his finger.

I have had many dealings with PMH for my kids & have nothing but praise for the staff we have met.

This post has been edited by Luvmy4: 26/02/2013, 11:49 AM

[mad madam mim]

Not a child but my dad chopped one of his fingers off at work last year, they reattached it and he's fine, the nail fell off but he still has full movement and the nail will eventually grow back, he says it's numb but that hasn't stopped him working

[Twolittleducks]

A friend's child did this at around the same age. I'm sure your Doctor can cover most of your concerns, but I recall the little guy needing to do special strengthening exercises when he was able to use his hand again as it had been out of action while it had healed. This might be worth asking about??

Best wishes.

[jupiter71]

Not my children, but me. My mother slammed my hand in the door by accident when i was about 1 and severed one of my fingers and partially on the other. They healed fine, and the only difference is a deformed nail and slightly longer than the same fingers on the other hand.

[amabanana]

Your poor DS.
I know 5 people (that I know off the top of my head) who've had their fingers severed as children and had them re attached. No one I know of has lost their finger.
Hope he heals well.