Recovery Roadmap: Rehabilitating After Traumatic Fingertip Amputation

Losing part of a fingertip can be a traumatizing experience, and unfortunately, it’s more common than you might think. Each year, 45,000 Americans lose part of their fingertips. Most traumatic fingertip amputations happen in children under 5 (often from getting caught in a door) or in adults over the age of 65.

Power saw accidents are the most common culprit for people aged 15 and up, but other causes of fingertip amputations include crush injuries and lacerations.

Traumatic fingertip amputation, while challenging, doesn’t have to define your future. You can regain functionality and confidence with expert treatment here at Sequoia Institute for Surgical Services, physical therapy, and a commitment to your healing. 

Read on as our two board-certified hand surgeons, Dr. Jonathan Liu and  Dr. Huey Yuan Tien, share tips for your recovery.

What to know about rehabilitation after traumatic fingertip amputation 

After a traumatic fingertip amputation — whether that accident happened with a power tool or you crushed your finger between two objects — your first step is to stop the bleeding, have your injury assessed, and make sure you don’t have any other fractures or cuts in the rest of your hand.

After a traumatic amputation, fingertips (and even fingers) can sometimes be reattached or “replanted.” However, reattachment success depends greatly on your age, health, and how much (or little) of your fingertip was lost. 

If we can’t reattach your finger, we clean and prepare your wound and remove any damaged tissue to prevent infection. Depending on the injury, we may close the wound with stitches or perform a skin graft. We can also address other injuries, such as a fractured bone in your hand.

We perform the procedure under local anesthesia, so you’ll remain comfortable throughout the surgery. Sedation can help you further relax.

Your roadmap to recovery

You begin your recovery immediately after surgery. Our team monitors you to ensure you feel okay before you head home. We provide at-home care instructions, physical therapy arrangements, and pain management options.

Understand the healing process for traumatic amputations

Healing from any type of injury takes time, and traumatic fingertip amputation is no exception. Your wound will go through stages of closure and scar formation, which may take weeks to months. 

Keep the area clean and protected, and follow any dressing or splinting instructions to promote proper healing.

Focus on pain management 

Pain is common during recovery, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Your Sequoia Institute for Surgical Services surgeon may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, prescribed medications, or even physical therapy to help you manage discomfort. 

Mind-body practices like meditation or deep breathing can also help manage stress, lower your cortisol, and help improve pain tolerance.

Get started with rehabilitation

Once your wound starts to heal, rehabilitation takes center stage. During physical therapy, you work to regain your strength, flexibility, and fine motor skills. Your entire rehabilitation plan is customized based on which fingertip you lost and how much of your finger remains.

Your physical therapist recommends specific exercises to help improve your grip strength and restore everyday functionality. Do your exercises consistently. The more diligent you are, the smoother your recovery is.

In other words, physical therapy can help you re-learn how to do everyday tasks, from typing to holding small objects.

Learn to adapt

Life after an amputation may require adjustments, but many people go on to adapt successfully after a fingertip amputation. 

Custom prosthetics or tools designed for ease of use can help if necessary, but practice and therapy are often enough to help people regain independence.

Focus on your emotional health, too

Your recovery roadmap doesn’t just focus on your physical recovery. You should also focus on your emotional recovery. 

Traumatic injuries can leave you feeling a feel a range of emotions from frustration to grief, but reaching out for support from loved ones or a mental health professional can help.

Remember, your recovery isn’t just physical — it’s about finding a new sense of normal.

Questions? Call us

If you’ve lost part of your finger due to a traumatic injury, you’re not alone. Let experts Dr. Liu and Dr. Tien help you recover.

If you have concerns about a fingertip amputation or other traumatic injury, call the office closest to you. For less urgent matters, use our online scheduling tool to book an appointment.