Is it possible to reattach a limb

Other factors that may affect recovery are: Age. Younger patients have a better chance of their nerves growing back. They may regain more feeling and movement in the replanted part. Area of injury. Generally, more use will return to the replanted part if it is further down the arm. Joint vs. More movement will return for patients who have not injured a joint.

Severed vs. A cleanly severed part usually regains better function after replantation than one that has been pulled off or crushed. Cold weather may be uncomfortable during recovery, regardless of how well your recovery is going. Rehabilitation For replant patients Physical therapy and temporary bracing are important to the recovery process. Figure 1. Figure 1 Close.

In Knowles' case, doctors decided he would be a good candidate for a full reattachment. Within four hours of losing the arm it was on ice , surgeons and specialists were working feverishly to help return the boy's body and prospects in life back to something resembling normal. Doctors reconnected the arteries and veins first, and welcomed the return of a pink hue to the hand.

The bone, muscle, nerve bundles and skin were then attached in subsequent surgeries. After additional nerve reattachment was performed several months later, feeling returned to the boy's arm and hand in the following weeks. This wasn't altogether pleasant for Knowles, as it created a strong, painful and tingling sensation. What was pleasant is that the world's first limb reattachment surgery was a success. In the years that followed, Knowles regained use of his once-dominant right hand, and was eventually able to use it as well as a natural southpaw uses a right hand.

Since then, limb-reattachment surgery has improved, as have the prospects for those who accidentally amputate limbs. But what should you do to maximize the odds of reattachment success if you find yourself carrying your own detached limb with you to the hospital? Keep reading to find out. Microsurgery -- the fine art of reconnecting blood vessels, nerves and tissue -- made strides in the s, but wasn't common until the s. In that time, the odds of success for limb reattachment surgery have increased.

But if you or ideally someone else in your presence loses a limb, what should be done? Start by calling The injured party is going to need immediate medical attention, and lots of it. But as far as reattachment goes, the sooner specialists can be notified to prepare for such an emergency procedure, the better the odds the procedure will be successful. Complications often occur when a body part is amputated.

The most important of these are bleeding, shock , and infection. Long-term outcome for an amputee depends on early emergency and critical care management. A well-fitting and functional prosthesis and retraining can speed rehabilitation. Traumatic amputations usually result from factory, farm, power tool accidents, or from motor vehicle accidents. Natural disasters, war, and terrorist attacks can also cause traumatic amputations.

If someone severs a limb, finger, toe, or other body part, you should call right away for emergency medical help. Use safety equipment when using factory, farm, or power tools. Wear seat belts when driving a motor vehicle. Always use good judgment and observe appropriate safety precautions. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Fingertip injuries and amputations. Updated July Accessed October 9, Rose E. Management of amputations. Replantation is a surgical procedure where amputated body parts are reattached to the body.

To perform replantation, surgeons often repair injured bony structures as well as tendons, blood vessels, nerves, and skin. Surgeons may also need to repair additional soft tissue coverage. For all replantation procedures, patients must be admitted to the hospital for post-operative monitoring. Immediately after your injury, our team of specialized surgeons will examine your injury to determine where damage has occurred to your skin, bones, nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and tendons.