I was in a motorbike crash in january and was very badly injured. I broke 19 bones. I have made a good recovery but still have problems with my right hand. the most notice able is that my little finger has fused. the bones wer all smashed and have heald in to 1 bone. this means i cannot move my little finger. My doctor has recomended i have it removed as i tend to catch it in doors and draws. the only reason to keep it is for cosmetic reasons. i know i will find things easyer with out it in the way but cutting off a finger is a big move. what should i do?
2006-10-05 02:27:51 · 36 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
I know it's a big move, but I honestly think if it was me I'd get rid of it. You're only going to keep injuring it and it'll end up looking so battered and freaky, you'd be better off without it. Good luck!
2006-10-05 02:30:43 · answer #1 · answered by Emz77 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I'm a registered nurse and I work in Intensive Care. I see the worst case scenario every day that I go to work, so keep that in mind as you read my post. You had your wreck in January. With 19 bones broken, I suspect you spent quite some time in the hospital. My advice to you is to take your time making this decision. Usually, after an injury such as yours, people will slowly start to change the way the move/do things so as not to keep injuring themselves. Once you amputate the finger, it's gone forever. Another concern: Do you have other health conditions that might make extra surgery particulary risky for you? For example, if you have diabetes or use steroids for inflammation or asthma, your body's ability to heal is reduced. Educate yourself about risks vs benefits of the proceedure, and then you can make a true "informed" decision. I would, as a side note, be skeptical of a physician who recommended surgery that was not absolutely necessary for medical reasons. Lastly, consider the psychological effects it may have on you in advance. Will you be self-conscious about missing a pinky? If it were my finger, the risk of infection or sepsis (complications of ANY surgery) alone would be enough reason for me to say no, at least until you see if you are going to adapt to your pinky as it is now. You said it best, having a pinky amputated is "a big move".
2006-10-05 06:34:34 · answer #2 · answered by icunurse3 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only you can answer that question. However, I have a friend that lost his finger in an accident several years ago. He was able to adjust to not having his finger. Now, he does not even notice that it is missing. Now, it looks kind of funny when he puts gloves on and doubles up his fist, because the finger he lost was his middle finger. So it looks like he is flipping you the bird. He has a good sense of humor though, and it does not bother him a bit.
Your pinkie finger is not the most important finger and I believe you will adjust to not having it. But, if you don't want to have it removed, you should not have the procedure done.
2006-10-05 04:21:48 · answer #3 · answered by holdemfoldem911 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only person who can anawer this is yourself, its a big decision for you and you will need to think how you will feel without it, if i was in your situation i would have it removed because it is going to get more damaged with keep catching it in doors and draws and this seems to really bother you and as you say you feel you will be better of with out it and it wont cause you any disability having it removed i have a friend who as had some of his fingers removed and he manages fine with only 2 fingers and his thumb on 1 hand and 3 finger and his thumb on the other. good luck in what ever you choose to do
2006-10-05 02:42:55 · answer #4 · answered by vicky s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start looking around you every day - it's amazing how many people have part or all of one or more fingers missing!
A little finger you can live without. It's up to you to answer the question for yourself. Some people get very skilled at learning how to avoid hurting themselves - that depends on the angle it's fused at.
If the pain and constant irritation of it is interfering with you day to day life, it's an option worth serious consideration.
2006-10-05 02:39:57 · answer #5 · answered by RM 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a difficult decision but the answer has to be have it amputated. You may catch it very badly one day and then this will be worse as you'll have to have it removed anyway. It's hard, cos it's part of your body, but just be grateful that it's (only?) your little finger.
My great-uncle lost four fingers off his right hand as a child because he was on a see-saw and there was broken glass on the ground. He managed to live a fulfilling and productive life -it never held him back (apart from playing the piano).....
2006-10-05 02:39:46 · answer #6 · answered by J C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it were me, I would probably lean more to not having the finger removed...especially if it is still healthy and has circulation. Just make it a habit to be more careful and be aware of your hand. Try not to catch it in doors and draws. That sounds like you are pretty reckloose with your hands. Unless there were other reasons why your doctor recommended you removing your finger---I would get a second opinion.
2006-10-05 02:34:50 · answer #7 · answered by What, what, what?? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is a big move, but before you do anything seek a few doctors..That way, it will settle inside you better, inside your mind.
I think your lucky its your little finger...Ah! no more being elegant,when drinking tea..But, all jokes aside...just get some more advice first.o.k....
The way you had the accident, I would say that after 19 broken bones!! the loss of that little finger....is a small price to pay.....
IF it need be, and that you may well be very lucky to be alive!...all the best ....smiles.
2006-10-05 02:37:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before I did anything, I would get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. Another doctor may have a better solution than just cutting it off (e.g., breaking the bone again and using inserts, replacing the bone with metal pins, etc.).
If they all gave me the same answer, I'd probably keep the finger unless it had become a serious nuisance.
2006-10-05 02:40:24 · answer #9 · answered by Jason 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know a guy who cut his index finger off in a table saw (yeah, ouch), but you can hardly notice it's not there! In fact, when he was taking dance classes with his wife, one of the other women in the class grabbed his hand pretty hard and he had to explain to her that he was missing a finger and it hurt!
This is a decision you'll have to make for yourself: is it worth it to keep the finger so your hand looks "normal," or would your life be easier without it?
Good luck!
2006-10-05 03:27:20 · answer #10 · answered by amarie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel that this is a question that you will have to answer for yourself. All I can do is make suggestions and ask questions. How do you feel about losing your finger, do you feel it would be better without it to keep from injuring yourself even more with getting caught in different situations, would it bother you extremely to not have it, what and how would you handle it if it got stuck in something more serious for example machinery at work and then have it ripped off, I do feel like it would be better to have it removed, but then again it is not my finger. Do what your heart tells you and good luck in whatever decision you decide on
2006-10-05 02:33:05 · answer #11 · answered by baby j 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋