Finger & Partial Hand Amputations

What are Finger & Partial Hand Amputations?

Finger and partial hand amputations are among the most devastating hand injuries, with profound physical and psychological consequences. Whether the result of a traumatic accident, surgical amputation following severe injury or elective amputation for disease. The goal of specialist Hand Therapy is to maximise the function, comfort and independence of the remaining hand.

Ms Razo has experience managing upper limb amputations across NHS and international trauma settings. Advanced rehabilitation addresses wound healing, scar manageement, residual digit or limb care, desensitisation and relearning of normal movement patterns. She supports patients from the acute post-operative stage through to full community reintegration.

What causes Finger & Partial Hand Amputations?

• Traumatic amputation from machinery, power tools or industrial accidents
• Crush injuries or degloving resulting in non-viable digits
• Surgical amputation following severe infection, necrotising fasciitis or gangrene
• Vascular disease or diabetic complications causing digit loss
• Burns: thermal, chemical or electrical, causing irreversible tissue destruction
• Cancer requiring surgical resection of a digit or portion of the hand

Signs & symptoms

• Loss of one or more digits or a portion of the hand
• Residual limb pain, particularly in the acute post-operative period
• Phantom limb sensation or phantom pain: sensations perceived as coming from the absent digit
• Hypersensitivity of the residual digit or limb, making contact painful
• Reduced grip, pinch and overall hand function depending on the level of amputation
• Psychological impact including adjustment difficulties, grief and altered body image

How Hand Therapy can help

Ms Razo provides specialist assessment and evidence-based treatment for Finger & Partial Hand Amputations. Following a thorough initial assessment, a personalised treatment plan will be developed to address your specific needs and goals.

Frequently asked questions

Can a finger be reattached after traumatic amputation?

Replantation, the surgical reattachment of an amputated digit, is possible in selected cases and is performed by specialist microsurgeons. Factors influencing replantation suitability include the level and mechanism of amputation, the condition of the amputated part and the patient's overall health. Following successful replantation, specialist Hand Therapy is essential to optimise functional recovery of the reattached digit.

What is phantom pain and can it be treated?

Phantom pain refers to painful sensations perceived as originating from an absent digit or limb. It is a genuine neurological phenomenon and can range from mild to severely debilitating. Specialist Hand therapy Techniques have been shown to reduce phantom pain. Ms Razo will incorporate these approaches into the rehabilitation programme, where appropriate.

Will I be able to return to work after a finger or partial hand amputation?

Return to work after finger or partial hand amputation depends on the level of amputation, the dominant hand and the demands of the patient's work. Many patients return to work, including manual roles, following specialist rehabilitation. Ms Razo will work with patients and their employers to support a safe and timely return to the workplace. She can provide a functional capacity assessment, where required.

Are prosthetic fingers available?

Prosthetic provision for hand, finger or thumb amputations varies across NHS regions and is not universally available. Privately commissioned prosthetic fingers, both functional and cosmetic, offer significantly more choice in terms of design, materials and function. Ms Razo can advise on prosthetic options and refer to specialist prosthetists, as appropriate.