Feel better my guy! I’ve had a similar issue with my ring finger on dominate hand. Something went through my hand at work and I’ve had flexor tendon & pulley repair etc. It’s been 2 years for me and I was in physio, shockwave, water therapy etc consistently week in week out. I’ve noticed absolutely 0 improvement from the day the injury occurred, to me it felt 100% like once it was cut that was that, the surgery won’t do antrging to correct it further in my opinion not worth the recovery and down time. My scar tissue gradually got firmer and firmer, there is no “breaking it down until it’s gone” with these types of injuries. I wish the healthcare workers and specialists recommending things would be more open to what people express as the issue. For me it’s been such an issue because it’s almost blocking access to my pinky as well, being the 4th digit. I was an absolute fucking beast at everything I did before this. Since I’ve gotten clearance to use it for anything I want I’ve noticed there’s absolutely no possibility of me being the same as I was before, I can’t push myself because I don’t have the access to muscles/tendons I use to, not trusting myself with heavy weights cause it feels like something is tearing out of my finger, not being able to fully stretch so causing issues relaying to other muscles becoming tight etc. Time will heal this in some peoples situations, in mine I’ve been 100% positive from the day it happened and have followed everybody’s recommendations, I know for a fact there will be no improvement and that there hasn’t been any change since it was originally damaged. This is an absolute nightmare but very lucky to still have my hand/wrist so all good in the end, just shit to try to adapt from what you enjoyed/loved doing in pushing yourself physically, and not being able to anymore etc.
Mike, I’m a hand therapist (OT) and I appreciate hearing from you about the emotional impact of your injury. Sometimes as a therapist it’s easy to overlook that aspect since we are so focused on the physical rehab. It looks like you’ve regained some really good function and I think your instinct to avoid more surgery is right. Surgery has its own risks, and the outcome isn’t guaranteed. I keep hoping some brilliant researcher will come up with a noninvasive way to selectively target scar tissue! Thanks for sharing all your plant knowledge!
Thanks for the comment, Joyce! If you just found the channel then you may not know that I'm also a registered nurse so I get to work with you OT guys and gals all the time at the hospital. Yeah, the toughest part of this injury was the emotional part but it does get easier over time. The reality though is that you have to do the time, lol. There's no fast track to getting through it easier. Like you, I dream of the day that this is an easy and noninvasive fix. I keep imagining a new technique in which an interventional radiologist inserts a long stiff wire through the tip of the finger under CT guidance and the wire is threaded all the way down the length of the finger and then circles around the tendon (cutting the scar tissue). Wouldn't that be so much easier than cutting the whole finger open again. Thanks again and glad you enjoy the videos!
Hello joyce, I’m so glad i found your comment because I’m in the same situation as him and I’m thinking about surgery but I don’t know what I should decide. However I’m doing kenalog injections every 2 months do you think that might help with the range of motion coming back?
Hi Parsa, As far as I know, Kenalog can help flatten & soften keloid or hypertrophic scarring but I don't know whether it has an effect on tendon to tendon &/or tendon to bone scar adhesions. What does the physician giving you the injections say? I'd be interested to know. In regard to choosing surgery or not (assuming you have a loss of motion due to scar adhesions), in my opinion the biggest factor in your decision should be how much functional impairment do you have due to the loss of motion? Your hand surgeon & a good hand therapist can evaluate your hand & make recommendations, but in the end, only you can decide whether what you stand to gain is worth going through another surgery. Also, ask your physician what kind of time frame he or she would recommend if you do want to consider an additional surgery. As far as I know, there is no downside to waiting for a while & just seeing how you do. But again, talk to your doctor & therapist since they know the specifics of your situation. Good luck, & I hope your finger improves!
Joyce Love hi joyce, thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment, I really appreciate that. My physican didn’t talk specifically about whether the tendon to tendon or tendon to bone adhesions would be affected as well or not, she just mentioned that it should help. I have lost some range of motion, i am able to make a fist but it is not very tight and my grip is not as strong as I would like it to be. However that’s not the only issue I’m facing. For some reason i have a throbbing pain my forearm which lasts the whole day and recently i have been experiencing a grinding sensation in my forearm when i rotate my hand which is annoying and nerve wracking. My surgeon tells me the chances of a tenolysis surgery success is 40% and failure chances are 60% but frankly it seems like he isn’t that confident in himself. Do you think a tenolysis surgery is too risky? Or do you think I should wait until i find a confident surgeon who is able to get it done correctly? Again thank you time and insight!
Hi Parsa, It sounds like maybe a second opinion would be helpful in your case. The pain & grinding you're experiencing could be due to issues unrelated to your tendon injury & someone needs to evaluate that. Also, if you are questioning your surgeon's confidence in his skills, a second opinion should help you feel like you can make the most informed decision. Good luck with your decision-making!
I’m currently 4 weeks post op and just found this video. Really helped to know that a year later it’s not that big of an issue. My injury was a knife accident and I got both the ring and middle finger with both tendons. Also ended up damaging a nerve and an artery in my index finger. You’re right about the mental stuff especially when in my case it was my dominant hand that suffered the injury. But slowly getting used to being a lefty! Thanks for positive vibes I have gained from this!
Hey Skyler, I'm sorry to hear about your injury but glad that the videos are helping. Yeah, it's a tough injury and the worst part is the mental frustration and emotional pain you go through. Mine was on my dominant hand as well and it screwed me up for awhile. I was more fortunate than you in that I also cut the pinky, ring, and middle fingers in 2 places each, but only severed the tendon in the pinky finger. It's a tough thing to go through but you'll get there man, and you'll learn to be ambidextrous while doing it. It's hard to imagine feeling better about it while going through it but trust me, a year from now you won't care near as much. The fingers will always be a little funky and remind you on a regular basis but you won't care as much and life will go on just fine. Good luck and work hard on the physical therapy.
How is your experience now? i cut my dominant right hand index finger tendon about 12 days ago i just has surgery yesterday they told it would take about three month to heal, is it still effecting you ? can you grab stuff normal ?
@@carloshernandez1224 There are still a few things I still can’t grab/grip. Like jars I can’t open at all. In terms of grip you’ll learn ways around it! I’m now almost a year post-op when I bend my fingers the two that had the tendon damage don’t completely close anymore. They’re about an inch away from palm, so yes it does still effect me but you learn to adapt. Impressively my hand writing has greatly improved since the surgery. In conclusion it will take time but in the end you’ll adapt :)
How are you now my man? I have cut mine in 2 with a chainsaw, 4 days ago on my left middle finger and am going to need surgery. Would like to know how u are now.
A month ago I suffered a gunshot wound to my hand and had immediate surgery. I can’t bend my index,middle finger or thumb anymore just like your pinky and the first could weeks were absolutely hard to accept the fact that this is my life now. I worked construction and have a 1 year old son I hope to get back to work but may have to find something else for my new disability. Your vid helps a lot gives me hope
Time heals all injuries. Some faster than others. Took me 7 years to get complete use of my left shoulder collarbone neck and elbow from a car accident. Like you i was frustrated in the slowness of healing. I heal fast normally. But that particular car accident tore a lot of tissue up. After a year of in an out of pt i gave up and excepted that it was as good as it was gonna get. I totally thru it to the back of my mind and continued with my hobbies. Gardening....... at first i was having a lot of pain not being able to work the tissue fully extended. Especially the elbow. It would lock up in a folded position at 90 degree angle. Massage would not loosen it. But i found if i shook my arm it would suddenly let loose. Over time it happened less and less. 7 years later i realized hey i can use all of these muscles tendons and ligaments again. No problem. Strength was back no more hurting except for the arthritis that set in in the joint of the shoulder and neck and collarbone due to the collarbone having been cracked. All in all. I did lose movement in my shoulder when i raise my arm up high. Because of the arthritis in the joint. But i still use it like its not there. You too will be that way. Just throw the pinky to the back of your mind and keep using it. One day you too will suddenly realize that hey i can use the finger again and the scar tissue is finally gone. Keep up with the massage of tissue and using it. It will come around a lot more than it is.
what did you do to get more mobility over time? I've got adhesion on my flexor tendons and the very tip of my finger doesn't flex. It's not such a big deal but I can't play the guitar anymore
I had a flexor tendon repair last year June, the accident was caused by a knife and severed both tendons in my pinky and one tendon in my ring finger. It’s been hell for a year and has emotionally gotten me to a dark place. As I’m a year on, I don’t take much notice of my fingers, and carry on with day to day activities but my pinky finger being bent does get me down quite a bit. I’m finding comfort through the fact I’m not the only one who has gone through this and I’m hoping I can continue to adapt to my hand being this way. Thank you for sharing your journey.
I'm very sorry that happened to you. Yes, it gets very frustrating at times. It's been 3 years for me and I only injured 1 finger, and I still get frustrated with the fact that it's crooked and won't bend. It's permanently curved inward and feels like it's tied down in a cage. People who have not experienced it don't understand the frustration you are going through but there are many of us out there who do, so you're not alone. Time heals all. The injury will always be there to remind you but you will get more used to it as time goes by. Good luck and I wish you the best.
Wow, thanks for sharing. I injured the end-joint (including tendon) recently on one of my ring-fingers and I'm struggling mentally with the recovery, which seems absurd for such a minor thing, but there it is. Your words are so encouraging and uplifting - thank you!
Mike you've gained a lot, scar tissue is always an issue, although it may not be perfect yet, time is your friend. Working in the garden is such good exercise for it as you don't realize you are doing it. You look like grip strength is back to normal or real close to it. I had hand surgery to strip the sheathing off a nerve and let me tell you it was the most frustrating injury I have ever had. It took 4 yrs to recover and the one problem was the scar tissue. I get the cold issue too, it burns like frost bite. So glad you have kept a positive attitude, that's what it takes to over come. Hang in there it'll get better with time.
Thanks for sharing your story Mike, and for everyone else who has also commented. I had a terrible accident with the hedge trimmer three months ago and completely severed the tip of my index finger above the first knuckle, cut through the tendons and nerves of the middle and ring fingers, and nerves, tendons, arteries, and bone of my pinky. The emotional trauma is the most difficult. Especially because it was a stupid mistake, but also as a woman to be missing part of a finger. I'm trying to give myself grace and am grateful for the surgeon that saved my remaining fingers. This is my new normal and I need to accept it. I too have limited movement in the tips of the remaining fingers. I have a large mass of scar tissue on my ring finger which makes gripping things painful. I continue with PT and at-home exercises and try to remain positive.
I am very sorry to hear about your accident, Colleen. It sounds much more traumatic than mine. This is a very difficult type of injury to get over emotionally, as you know. The biggest challenge is the emotional and mental part of it. You will get there and there is light at the end of the tunnel but you have to go through the tunnel to get to the other side. When I was going through therapy, I sat next to a guy who had his hand and arm ran over by a train. His arm didn't work right after reattaching tendons and his fingers (what was left of them) were all crooked and strange looking. None of them worked right. It had been a couple years but he was still in therapy. He had such a good attitude about it after the time had passed but it was extremely emotionally taxing in the beginning. There is hope. Keep your head up and lean on family at this time.
@@MikeKincaid79 Thanks Mike. It's nice to know there is a community that understands. Sometimes you feel as though you're on an island. I'm in the tunnel coming out the other side. I WILL be ok. Cheers
Hello, I just discovered Mikes story on here and it’s given me a lot of comfort after my surgery this week. A month ago I also injured myself with a hedge trimmer and deeply cut through the majority of my middle finger. The surgery was an attempt to reconstruct the nerves and get any feeling back. I’m saddened and amazed to here your similar story and I hope you keep up the strength to navigate this new reality. We put a lot of attention on appearances as women but I would like to think that your courageousness is what people will notice first now.
Hi @@sarahbellsthank you for your message. I am one year into my recovery and doing ok. While I still have no feeling above the incisions of the three cut fingers, I do have movement and continue to build up strength. I found an amazing tattoo artist and he tattooed a "fingernail" on the tip of my severed finger. It makes it look less like a nub and just a short finger. Yes, we do place a lot of attention on appearance, and this helps me feel less self-conscious about it. Best of luck with your recovery. I'm glad they were able to save your finger.
My husband got same injury with his ring finger a week ago. Thanks to your video, we could somehow accept the reality that his finger won't get better, but IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. Sincerely, thank you. It has been hard for me too watching my husband suffer.
Glad you appreciate the video. This was a tough experience for me and very emotionally taxing. It's hard to explain the inner turmoil a person goes through over something like this. It's as much an emotional journey and a journey of letting go and acceptance as it is a physical healing journey. You're a good woman for hanging in there with your husband. It will get tough for him at times and very frustrating but in the end, he will come to accept it mentally. Good luck and I wish you the best.
Thank you. I’ve been suicidal over this because it happened in a abusive relationship, and he wouldn’t let me go to the doctor. Everytime i look at it i just loose it and cry. In 2015 i was told there’s nothing to do with it, but now 7 years later i’ve learned that maybe i can (i live in Norway, so not any information on it) i am going to the doctor in 2 days and i’m hoping it’s a positive answer for surgery.
I'm sorry to hear about your injury. If it had been that long for me and I was use to it then I'd probably not do the surgery since the outcomes seem to be fairly poor. I guess it depends on which finger you have to repair. I wish you all the best and hope it turns out the way you want it to.
@@MikeKincaid79 Thanks for answering! it’s the little finger, but mine is broken at the beginning of the finger so i can still bend it (just not all the way down) i just want to feel normal again. Do you have any pain in the morning?
I'm about 2 months in and about to start physical therapy. I have the same problem with the tip of my ring finger. I'm so scared and frustrated. I found your videos looking up the recovery process. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. You seem so down to earth. I wish I could have a cup of coffee or a beer with you and talk some more but like BOTH our fingers that probably would never work lol.
LOL, Cup of coffee sounds good. hope you heal up fast man. And you're right, the finger won't be the same again but you'll definitely get use to it in time. You'll just have a constant reminder of what not to do.
@@MikeKincaid79 I figured out my own little hack to get the finger to bend. I've been taping the tip to the tip of the finger next to it so it bends. Then I'm able to make a fist.... just working on grip strength
@@nohsiajsenoj8891dude I think we have the exact same thing… tip of my ring finger at the last joint doesn’t bend and have a lot of scar tissue on the bottom middle section of the finger that may be blocking the tendon but I don’t know. How you holding up now?
I injured my left ring finger with a kitchen steak knife. I severed my tendon, nerve,and my pulley above my wedding band. I feel my wedding band saved my ring finger from completely cutting through. 8 months ago I had a repair done by a hand surgeon and after 6 months of physical therapy I gained very little movement of my ring finger. Believe my I did all my therapy and becoming obsessed with it. My surgeon suggested to do a revision on my finger to remove the scar tissue around the tendon, nerve and pulley he repaired. So I won’t through with it about a month ago. When I came out of surgery I was able to move my ring finger very easily and I was elated. Later that evening,it was about 5pm. My hand started to swell and movement was lost. After therapy the day after and until now I have very little movement. I just wanted to thank you for your video, time is what I need. You helped put me at ease.
Thank you for sharing your story. I've considered doing the scar removal surgery but feel like it would turn out the same. Your story has confirmed that for me. Yes, time can heal and it's best to live in the present while planning for the future. Good luck.
Thank you for making these videos. I’m your age and starting the healing process with the same exact injury and same finger. I love to lift weights too and was worrying I might not be able to again. This video is so reassuring. And I’m so glad you are feeling better!
Glad it's helpful. Sorry to hear about your injury. It's a tough thing to go through but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. Keep your head up. Oh yeah, and it doesn't interfere with weightlifting at all now.
Thanks for this video. It’s hard to find info out there (and would appreciate any resources you may have found). I cut a tendon and nerve in zone 2 in my ring finger of my right hand. I’m 2.5 months post-surgery and experiencing some pretty significant curling on my finger. Hoping it straightens out as swelling goes down, otherwise I fear I’ll never be able to do push-ups or lay my hand flat again.
Im glad you made this video, really wish I had someone show me this a year ago when, its truely like you said, extremely emotionally draining. Have you tried working on the joints? In the past month or so ive been able to finally pop a few which it seems slowly allows for more motion in my case.
MIKE, thats why i work with houseplants i have so that i can lose my self, i,m not able to get out into the forests any more so i use plants as my escape, keep on working your finger and you,ll be able to bend it it,ll take a while though
Good additude Mike. Being in shape helps recover faster. Had my spline removed an was putting shingles on our roof in just a few weeks. Doc said exercise. Staying busy keeps your mind right. Having fun an good results propagating . Thanks Mike
Keep working with it and keep it massaged. Manually move it in the directions you normally would use it. It will never be perfect but that scar tissue will dissipate more & more over time
@@MikeKincaid79 Seems soaking it in warm to hot water. Then work with it would help. As the one videos I shared said. The body will convert the scar tissue back to normal tissue. Just keep messaging it.
Mike, Thank you so much for these videos. I had a knife go across my pinky and cut both tendons and nerve. I'm 9 weeks post surgery and I have about the same amount of movement in my tip. On top of this, 3 weeks after my surgery I had to get my wisdom teeth removed due to an infection. I'm only 22 years old and also love to lift weights. I'm currently deciding between a second surgery or not. I have much less use of the pinky than you do shown in your videos as they were only able to repair one tendon. This has been mentally and financially exhausting. I can't thank you enough for discussing this process.
Man, I'm so sorry to hear about your injury. Just know that you will get through the mental exhaustion part and life will go on. A couple years from now you'll look back and remember this but it will all be in the past and you'll have long since moved on mentally. My dad had a similar injury in his middle finger and the tendons were completely destroyed so he hasn't been able to use his middle finger since his teens. He can't bend it at all so he walks around flipping everyone off on accident, haha.
@@MikeKincaid79 that’s what is going on with my middle finger now. I had the surgery and now have scar adhesions but not sure if I should do the tenolysis surgery. How did his middle finger being like that affect his ability to do things?
Omg, I've chopped off tip of my index finger off. Had a surgery. They took skin from side of my finger to craft my finger. I destroyed nerves, I didn't get tendons though. I'm now on week 3 and started physio. It's conforting to know that I'll get back to the gym. Thanks for sharing this video. More tips for healing faster please
You'll get back in there sooner than you think. Your other fingers will get stronger and pick up any slack from the injured finger. Eventually, you'll just grab the bar and won't know the difference.
Back in January, I got my left hand stuck in a grain auger and I'm going in for my fifth surgery this upcoming August. Listening and seeing you move this is a huge comfort and motivating. It sliced through my tendons and severed half my hand so on top off all the therapy and visits this is encouraging. Thank you @Mike
Glad to bring encouragement but man I’m so sorry to hear about your injury. Keep your head up. It sucks but people with all kinds of injuries and disabilities get on with life eventually.
Wow David so sorry to hear! I had sliced my index and middle finger back in December and have just barely been able to straighten out 1 of my 2 injured fingers…I’m working on range of motion exercises rn and it’s really hard to bend the tips…I’m hopeful that with time I can fully use my fingers again with a full range of motion but who knows
I'm in the middle of getting surgery clearance for my right 4th finger. I haven't been able to use it or my 5th finger for 3 months and I understand that it's going to be another 3 months. Thank you for making this video. It gives me hope again. I'm scared. People want to hear it's going to get better from someone who has been there. Thank you
Hey Mike, thank you for the update video and sharing your experience with us. I see that you still have a contracture, I’m thinking maybe you can go back to the therapist and ask them to make you a finger splint to help straighten it out. I’m hoping this suggestion can help with that. Continue with the exercises as much as you can, I saw a surgeon recently and he told me that one of his patient’s range of motion started to come back after a year. Keep trying and I will keep cheering for you! I have the exact same injury as you on the pinky and still can’t bend the tip of my finger. Stay positive and keep trying. I learned through this journey that your mental health has the efficacy to help with your recovery and injury.
Yes I had a similar roughly 25 degree contracture. On week 6 my therapist added padding over my pinky under the strap to push it against the inside wall of my splint. Very painful and sore for about 6 hours but by the next morning I was able to actively straighten it completely.
Cut my tendon last week in the exact same place and hand (accident with a knife) and I'm looking at this surgery and the physiotherapy. This video gives me some hope although I feel like the loss of function a year out will be devastating. I'm a programmer/system admin by trade and typing is awful without this. It's aggravating my mild carpal tunnel a lot. On the other hand, I will adapt and this isn't the end of the world. It's very emotionally rough though. So glad you've adapted well. Good luck!
It's definitely an emotional ride. If you're interested, I made a whole series of these videos starting with the injury last summer and I talk about all the emotional challenges I went through over this. Typing was very difficult and It was a lot of hunt and peck with my left hand for a couple months. As you can see, a year later, my finger still doesn't work all the way but I'm back to typing very well and quickly and the finger doesn't effect it. I'm a registered nurse and I type all day and don't have any problem now. You'll get use to it in time but it is emotionally difficult in the beginning.
Thank you mike for a motivational video. I had my operation on index finger, 3 months back. I am extremely frustrated by not seeing it bending. That injury is on my non-dominant hand but still it’s on index finger and i am not able to make a fist. I need some inspiration from whoever reading my comment bcz I am loosing my mind. Slowly I am getting a feeling of end of life 😔. Need some motivation to boost my confidence. Thanks.
Keep your head up and stay positive. I was finally able to get over it when I let go of the possibility that it would improve and just accepted it. That allowed me to move on. I guess it depends on how mobile or immobile the finger is and whether you can accept it. There is a freeing feeling in making a decision.
I just wanted to say thank you for this video. It gives me more hope. I’m 4 months since surgery, I’m having the same issue as you. My tip won’t bend on my ring finger. Doctor told me that he recommends another surgery for the “adhesion in my FDP.” I’ve been super hesitant if I want to do surgery or not. This gives me more hope to stay away from it. I’ve been super stressed and depressed. This gives me more motivation. Thank you!
I'm not a doctor and can't give medical advice but for me, it was a good thing to forgo the second surgery. I was told that it won't improve things that much and there was a good chance of re-rupturing the tendon. You have to make the best decision for you but ultimately for me it was good to let go and move on. I finally realized that the damage was done and came to accept that the finger would never be the same again. Once I gave in to that fact, a weight came off of me and I was able to move on with life. I hope that helps and I wish you luck going forward.
@@MikeKincaid79 only reason I’d consider doing the surgery is because I have a piece of glass (or something) in my middle finger, so when they’d do the surgery in my ring finger, they’d also cut my middle finger and get that object out. But other than that, I’ve came to the conclusion my finger will never be able to bend all the way into a fist. I’ve just got to practice using it this way now. Thank you for the advice!! Much appreciated.
Yeah, I've had a ton of people tell me how to get rid of scar tissue. I'm not buying any of it, lol. It doesn't just go away and all mine is still there after creams, lotion, and tons of massage, even tried ultrasound to break up the scar tissue.
@@MikeKincaid79 now heads up. Ok you get used to this already but unable to flex it totally would cause dorsal interossei muscle athropy in time. And if you sleep on that hand, you ll create ulnar nerve entrapment which will cause muscle wasting down the finger faster. Be careful.
You have a good outlook on your finger. If it doesn't get better at least you have learned to live with it and at least it's workable and doesn't look at all bad. It's been a long year and I think you handled it like a trooper.
you are still lucky, I had surgery on three fingers of my right hand (little finger, ring finger and middle finger), that was since March 2020, and now it's exactly like your fingers can't be straightened, I got this wound because I avoided robbery and murder. and I am also lucky that only 3 of my fingers had their tendons severed and are still alive today. yes even though I can't use my right hand like I used to before the tendon graft surgery, it's not the end of the world! if those of you reading this experience something similar, don't give up, this is not the end of everything.😉
Great advice. I have the same injury and as a classical guitarist it’s the one finger on my right hand that i don’t use all that much… excellent greenhouse btw!
It really really does, & just like you also said that there're a lot of people who have a worst conditions than you have, and Mike i swear to GOD that i've been meaning to ask but i said i don't wanna remind you but actually you're taking it so much better than i've had expected & i hope that for everyone have an issue with their bodies, thanks for the video Mike bye for now.
I had an injury (moray eel bite) that left me in a near identical state as your hand. I was told that over time my pinkie would straighten/I would be able to bend the tip but 5 years later zero improvement. I just had tenolysis 12 days ago to cut away the scar tissue that had adhered the tendon and let me tell you, I was in tears a few days ago when I was able to bend to tip of my pinkie for the first time in 5 years. I never had to get the tendon repaired in the first place, the adhesion was caused by the bite, so luckily I’ve only had to endure the one surgery but my understanding now is that tenolysis is usually for people in your situation - first you get then tendon repaired, then a year or so later you get the tenolysis to remove scar tissue adhesion.
I really appreciate your comment. I can only imagine how happy you were to be able to use your finger again. I so wish I could have that same experience and be able to fully use my finger again. I've gotten use to it but it still aggravates me at times. Reading your comment gives me hope and at times I think about having my finger re-evaluated by an orthopaedic surgeon for the tenolysis surgery. I know it would be tough to go through again but it would heal much faster and work again when healed. Thanks again for your inspiring comment.
Mike Kincaid I’m sure your surgeon already made you do this but another thing I DIDN’T do after the initial bite was aggressive hand therapy, which may have helped save my range of motion in the first place. I wasn’t instructed to pursue any kind of physio by the ER and I was too young to even consider it so I just let it be after the initial hospital visit and one follow up appointment. I heard from my current hand therapist that takes two years for the scar tissue to really adhere down so you have those two years to get aggressive massage and other interventions to try and loosen it up. You may still end up needing the tenolysis to get back ROM but it’s nice to know there’s a whole tool kit of things to try with this kind of injury.
Good to aee it's healed pretty nicely Mike. I heard that if you carefully heat alittle peanut oil in a stainless steel measuring cup on top of the stove while the oven or burners are on, and then massage it firmly into the scar tissue area for 10 to 15 mins per setting and it will break that down and soften it up somewhat. You're so helpful, love your channel. 👍🙏
Thx Mike, very helpful, just found your video as I'm at week 8 of similar injury but lower down the finger and all 4 fingers. Would love to see 2 year update !!!
I’m so happy I found your recovery videos. This injury has been so emotionally taxing. My job actually terminated me after I requested FMLA 🤦🏻♀️ Tendon and nerve repair on pinky and ring finger… I’m in week 6 and I’m paranoid that I re-ruptured the ring finger but maybe I just need to be patient.
I'm really sorry to hear about your injury and about your job loss. That really sucks that a company would do that. Hang in there and keep your head up, it will get emotionally easier with time. The emotional part is the toughest part and can really run your mind around in circles and take you to dark places. Don't let it. I can't promise that your fingers will be the same in a year, in fact they won't, but I can promise that the emotional and mental part of it will heal and life will go on. In time, you'll get use to it. I do promise that much. I thought I had ruptured my tendon as well but it is still intact. My problem was that the tendon adhered to the scar tissue and it doesn't bend much. Keep working on your therapy and let go of the frustration for now. Try to do some self reflection during this time. Get some quiet alone time often and just meditate. Stay as positive as you can. After posting these videos, I've been flooded with comments from people who've had these injuries so know that you're surrounded by a huge family of tendon cutters, lol.
My pinky is definitely still bent… It was swollen for a really long time, but the silicone sheets help with that… Also scar massage… My ring finger ended up re-rupturing, when they went in to correct it there wasn’t enough tendon to reattach… So they had to insert a silicone rod, let the sheaths and pulleys grow around it. I just had my final surgery, where they grafted a tendon from my forearm, attached it to the rod and pulled it through my finger… I finally have movement in my ring finger… I believe We will still have a slight bend to our fingers… It seems that they intentionally do that so there is proper cascade to the hand… Not sure… My apologies for voice diction right now, LOL texting with my left hand is difficult… How is your recovery, other than the swelling?
@@SarahS-ew3xt thank you very much for your reply. It’s been a tough & frustrating recovery. The pinky is still very stiff, I’m unable to move the tip, plus it’s very bent over, so I don’t know if that will improve? I’m hoping so. I’m doing all the exercises and scar massages every hour. So praying for a decent recovery. 🤞🏻
@@MikeKincaid79 I wish to know if 5 years is too late too late to get a pinky tendon surgery. I started feeling emotional this year when I wanted to hit the gym .. please I need a reply thanks
Thank you, Mike! Going through this right now, too. Cut myself with a piece of shattered glass (untempered!) from a blender. Partially cut the tendon and the nerve. You recovered wonderfully! All the best!
I’m really sorry to hear that. If your doctor is ok with it, keep moving that finger through a full range of motion every day to prevent scar tissue from adhering to the tendon.
Hi Mike I cut my index finger and tendon on glass this morning. I have surgery tomorrow. I am worried about recovery period. It is great to see how you have progressed a year on.
Sorry to hear about your injury. They will tell you not to engage in active range of motion for about 4 to 6 weeks. They will use passive range of motion instead. If I could go back, I'd start using active range of motion very gently right from the beginning after they took the cast off. I recommend doing whatever your surgeon tells you to do but if I could go back, that's what I'd do. I hope it heals up well for you with good active range of motion.
@@MikeKincaid79 thanks for your video.I had a tendon repair surgery on my index finger two weeks ago. My physical therapist wants me to use passive range of motion but my surgeon is about active range of motions. He wants me to close my hand and hold it down already even if it hurts. I guess thats what you recommend as well?
@@farnaza863 I suggest doing active range of motion, passive is to warm it up. I am at 10 weeks and kinda wish i wasnt so scared earlier but I think i did the trick of making sure the tendon did not get stuck to the bone and now my problem is of course excess scar tissue. Listen to surgeon you need the active range of motion passive will not accomplish the same thing
Mike I'm glad it's gotten better for you and especially good to know that you can pullup and deadlift. I had a finger injury in a car accident and understand the emotions that go with it. 👍🏻
Sorry to hear that. It sure is a tough injury to go through. Yeah, my finger is still curled and I'm sure it's because they had to cut some of the tendon to get clean edges before sewing back together. Unfortunately, it'll never be the same but keep your head up and know that you're cool either way.
I severed the flexor tendons in my right pinky and ring finger, but didn’t damage the nerves. I have the same issue with scar tissue. You have to just roll the joint passively and break it up. I’m only 6 weeks post op.
I’m a physical therapist who had this injury on my middle finger. Had the same complication with scar tissue adhesions and lack of range of motion. With it being my middle finger, it was a huge impact on my function so I just had the second surgery called a tenolysis to release the scar tissue. It’s a serious surgery that required a large incision but I’m only 3 weeks out and my hand is already better than when it was 6 months after the first surgery. A good way to know if you would benefit from a second surgery is 1.) how much does it affect you, and 2.) do you have a much larger passive range of motion than active range of motion? So can you bend your finger with your other hand much more than it can bend on its own? If that is the case then you can benefit from a scar adhesion removal. But make no mistake, it’s a large surgery that requires immediate motion and squeezing your hand right after surgery with fresh stitches and blood oozing out. It’s intense but my hand is going to be much better off for doing it, just know it’s a tough rehab that starts immediately after surgery.
I do have much more passive ROM than active. They made me aware of the rehab with the bleeding and how tough it is in the beginning. That doesn't bother me. What bothers me is that the surgeon didn't feel confident that he wouldn't mistake scar tissue from tendon tissue and re-rupture the tendon during surgery. That is what has kept me from a second surgery.
Mike Kincaid I don’t know who your surgeon is and don’t mean it as an insult to them but a tenolysis is a much more difficult and technically challenging surgery than a tendon repair so I’m not surprised a surgeon might be hesitant about doing it. I was also worried about rupturing the tendon again and it happens around 8% of the time after a tenolysis which is a significant risk. It did seem to me like the risk was higher the sooner after the initial surgery the tenolysis is done and how good your surgeon is. I would only do it if you find a surgeon who you are confident in, and they are confident they can do it. I had the advantage of being a therapist and being able to talk to some hand therapists in the area to see who they thought had the best outcomes. But like I said it being my middle finger and impacting my function so much it really was worth the risk for me.
@@MikeKincaid79 I believe this is the kind of thing that the surgeons individual experience, skill and confidence matters a lot. The surgeon that worked on me has a very good rep and when he mentioned the possible second surgery from the get go and has never really implied that it is that risky. I am 33 and figure ill probably go for it if I am stuck with what I have now which is 25 degree bend which looks to be the same as yours. I can give it an obvious wiggle and flex it but its been stuck for a good 3 weeks at this and I am on week 10 so still a bit early. I was told most people get 30-40 degrees back
Currently going through this right now the exact same surgery but unfortunately I didn’t have insurance because I lost my job to Covid and the insurance I have doesn’t cover me so I’m glad I found your pinky vids because I can’t get into physical therapy so I’m doing the exercises from the other vid.
Make sure to keep working that finger so the tendon doesn't adhere to the scar tissue. By the way, I have insurance and it still cost me over $5000 out of pocket. Insurance is overrated.
I am so glad you are kind of over it because in the beginning was almost the end of the earth! I wish you never had the accident to begin with. Hugs 🤗💜
It absolutely will Mike! I am glad you are ok! I told you you will be and that you will enjoy the down time and the family. So cool...semiretired. Yah!!!🤗🤗🤗💜
Hey Mike I watched your video where you got the injury loading your pickup with trash to make a dump run. That was tuff and painful 4 u but u made it through. I am glad that u still got your pinky. Man dont worry bout it! You will regain the use of it gradually. God bless U
Lol was worse when you got both hands badly .. When I see a 🐝 I remember it how brave you got trough. Your experience really helped me a lot to always use my gloves to clean the garden, already bought a farm in Erda this year, my land is big and still need cleaned and I have found by surprise broken glass on the ground and I say to myself "wow mike thanks if it wasn't for you I would already have my fingers cut off too" thank you mike for sharing .. I like all your videos! Keep going. 💛
Mike I have been shot in my pinky finger and my finger is stuck in a bent position. I can’t bend no part of it and I can’t make a whole fist my pink finger just sticks out but nice video bro keep going
Im the same but with my right index finger cant make a fist cant straighten just sticks out. Been a year since surgery mo recovery done a lot of physio still the same
You'll get 100% dude. I'm not a powerlifter but I love lifting weights to stay in shape. I deadlift with 315 pounds for 6 to 8 reps and never have a problem with grip. The finger was a little sore at first because of the scar tissue but I was lifting my normal weights again just a month or 2 after the 90 day period when the doc said I can do what I want. You'll be lifting again.
Have the exact injury. Mines was in early 2017 though. I pretty much regained the same range of motion in my pink as you did after surgery. Scar tissue has the tendon traped just like yours. Like you said, this is probably the way it will be for life. In 3 months it will be 4 years since the surgery so (like you) i've just come to terms with this being the way it is.
Sounds about right. I think I've pretty much done the same, some to terms with the fact that this is it. I don't think I want to go through another surgery with uncertain outcomes.
Glad to spread the healing vibes man. Good luck on your recovery. It's more a mental game than anything but in time, you'll look back on this as just a little speed bump in life.
@@MikeKincaid79 thanks bro I appreciate it. I’m a firefighter and I been wondering if my career is over. But you should me it’s not even close to over! Thank you so much!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm going on 4 weeks post-op, well into physical therapy for similar issue with my left pinky, and so far my results seem to be similar to yours where that last joint on the pinky doesn't have much movement (3-5% normal mobility). I would say overall, so far I'm glad to have done the surgery vs not doing anything at all. Pre-surgery, my pinky was completely straight which made typing incredibly difficult (I work a desk job). Post surgery, my pinky has that bend to it which makes it easier to type with.
Thank you soo much for this video and your comforting words bcs im going through the past surgery healing phase and its the hardest part about it bcs u end up feeling like it wont get better.Thanks alot rlly
I’m glad you can find a little peace through these videos. It’s a tough thing to go through but you’ll come out stronger on the other side. Keep your head up.
bro i feel you. happened to me as well and its been 6 years after the surgery. i have received physiotherapy too and done a lot of exercises but its still bent and it has low mobility. after 6 years its still like that. the scars are all gone though. just the scar because of the incision is still there. i used to cry a lot because i feel like i lost something big and i was only 20 at that time. i still cry about it from time to time no kidding lol. i have done tons of research, for some cases, disfunction and disfigurement will be there for life. and as you said, if you wanna fix it then theres gonna be another surgery and theres no guarantee that it will make it perfect too so.. i finally try to accept the fate that i have to live with it. in winter, it can get a little bit numb around the pinky but its still manageable, especially if you wear gloves! if any of you is still suffering from this, try to always give yourself kind words. no one would think its such a big defect and everyone has scars.. anyways now i feel better whenever i stay to always keep positive!
Thanks for the insightful comment. I'm over a year after the injury now and it's like yours, still not working and looks disfigured. I'm use to it now. I cried about it in the beginning but I don't let it bother me too much any more although it does get frustrating at times. Stay positive, you've got a great attitude!
@@MikeKincaid79 totally understand you! but as you also said in the video, the other four fingers are working perfectly fine! mine too. and people wouldn’t even notice about the pinky unless we tell them.. or they’re really really close to us. whenever i feel like i am imperfect because of my pinky, i’d try to remember that there are people out there born without “perfect” bodies, then i would feel grateful and better :)
Thank you for sharing! I was 19 (now 20) when I had my finger surgery and also cried a lot before. Although, my surgery hasn't hit its one year anniversary hahaha, but you have given me a reality check that the process takes TIME and I must not feel discouraged :)
I’m going through this with my left ring finger, cut through two tendons. I am about 3 weeks post and I’m going through therapy now. I’m only 25 so hopefully being younger my injury will heal quickly. I was supposed to get married in the next few month, but that might be put on hold. I too don’t want to have another surgery, like who would want to go through all this AGAIN.
I totally understand where you're coming from about the second surgery. Nothing I would want to go through twice. So sorry to hear about your injury, especially your ring finger right before your wedding, bummer. You're young and I pray that you bounce back fast. Don't let it get you down. The emotional part about this is the toughest part but that will heal with time. Good luck and congrats on your soon to be marriage.
Hey Mike, I fully severed a flexor tendon and partially severed a nerve in my left thumb back in June of 2014. Got the tendon repair surgery, went to physical therapy for about 4 months, couldn't afford it anymore so I stopped, kept up with doing exercises and moving it around at home, but it's still in rough shape 6 years later. I've gotten more used to it by now and have adjusted every day actions to suit my thumb's limitations, but I feel like I have an "adhesion", where the tendon has healed to the scar tissue from the sheath. I think there's surgical intervention that can fix it, but I'm good on that, not an experience I look forward to dealing with again. I have grip strength in my thumb, just no range of motion, it's super stiff and bound up feeling, always wants to crack, gets tired very easily, I only have about 20% of the range of motion I had prior to the injury I'd say, which is better than 0% don't get me wrong, but it's still super frustrating at times. It's very eye opening how a small injury to your hand can have permanent life altering consequences. Really shows how fragile we are. Be safe brother
Your injury and the way you describe the feeling 6 years later is exactly the same as my experience so far. So, not much to look forward too, lol. I thought so.
Hey Mike, I am not sure what happened as I just got to your channel, but I just had one of my worst appointments with a plastic surgeon that advised me that can "borrow" tendon from the inner side of my pinky so that the top movement is completted. I was also suggested to have borrowed one of the tendons from the wrist (we have two general there) and the one as per the surgeon is not useful and was used when were monkeys to climb trees. I know there are technologies these days that can use special nonobstructive techniques to reconstruct your tendon but it won't happen in North America (most likely) as it is a technology and approach used in Europe. Me, I am flying back to my home country in Europe (Bulgaria) where doctors assured me of my full recovery in less than a month (excluding the healing time, but having fixed all my pinky and ring finger movements as my cut got to the inner finger side nerves and one of the tendons.). Think about it, check with surgeons from Europe (any country would do unless you did already) and may God help you through your full movement recovery...
I really appreciate all the info. This injury was 5 years ago and it’s all healed up now. The surgery didn’t work well and the finger still doesn’t fully function but I’m use to it now.
Mike Kincaid ha crazy story actually, I was sleeping with some guys girlfriend and he came home and caught me sleep in the bed with her, yanks me outta bed I noticed to knife in his hand and grabbed the blade, ran outta there in my boxers, nerve damage in my right palm (thumb) torn tendons in my left hand, least I’m not dead right😅😅
I tore my flexor tendon in my right ring finger in high school gym class. Stupid finger stuck out at a 45 degree angle. Played golf competitively so it was really painful trying to play with it. A hand specialist had me wrap it up with flex tape when that stuff was still a pretty new thing, and I also had to do a lot of hand exercises with putty. It healed in about 9 months and I never had to get surgery. That was over 12 years ago and I havent felt any pain in that finger in over 11 years. It's straight as an arrow now and looks perfectly normal. Guess I can consider myself pretty lucky.
You must not have completely severed the tendon or you would have needed surgery. As soon as it's severed, it retracts back into the finger or hand and there is no way it will heal on it's own because the 2 ends aren't touching. I only wish I had just tore it a little, I wouldn't have had to go through all this.
Exact injury happened to me 3 weeks ago. I had the surgery one week ago. My heart is broken, as I have been playing guitar for 40 years. This video helps. Thanks but ...man am I struggling.
I know right where you’re at emotionally. Wish I could say something to take that away but you just have to go through it. Try to slow down, get alone and quiet outdoors and just stare at nature, let the sun shine on you and feel the breeze and realize that none of it matters. 100 years from now we’ll all be dead and none of this will matter to anyone. So just breathe and realize that life is constantly changing. There are good times and bad. This is a bad time for you but you can use it as a period of discovery and growth. This will pass. Acceptance was what finally saved me from the anguish. Go chill and watch the movie “The Dawn Wall”. You’ll know why I told you to watch it once you see it. You’ll play guitar again if you want to. Good luck and you’re not alone.
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. I have a similar situation with my finger and yes my emotional part is a lot harder to overcome than the injury it self…. Watching you being such a vibrant person, I am encouraged to go on any way.
I'm currently dealing with stage 4 trigger finger on my dominant hand middle finger. (It was completely locked in flexion before being extended under local anesthesia.) I'm told by an orthopedist that the treatment is a small procedure to cut the tendon sheath to allow movement with the scarred tendon. I'm on a quest to heal it through physical therapy to avoid surgical intervention. It is indeed incredibly frustrating to not be able to use your fingers for basic things. Life marches on whether we are healthy/capable or not. When it's a "small" injury people expect you to still carry on as usual despite the inability to do so. Even I want to carry on as usual! But even more frustrating when the others have the expectation and you know it just isn't entirely possible. Even when I went into the doctors ' offices to have it caref for, they handed me paperwork to fill out knowing that I didn't have anyone else present to help me! 🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
You hit the nail on the head. It’s a tough situation and can feel very lonely at times but there are others of us out there. You’ll get through this and it’ll make you stronger.
This is exactly my pinky, but can‘t move my DIP actually to. I had a motocross injury in december •22. Doc wants to do a tenolysis, but I thinkt I don‘t want to go through this anymore. 2 osteosynthesis surgery are enought. The scar tissues are heavy. Your video gave me hope to live without another surgery. Sorry for my english, I‘m german.
It's definitely a tough injury. I'm glad the videos are helpful in making your decision. It's a tough decision to make, as we don't know the outcome until it's done. More surgery equals more money, more time off work, more scar tissue, more pain. Maybe in the end it's worth it, but we don't know until it's done. Maybe in the end, it's not. If you have learned to live with what you have, my vote is to leave it alone. But, that's your decision that you have to make with your doctor. Good luck and God bless.
Hi mike thanks for all this videos. I literally watched every day and i liked the way you overcome your injury. Your videos give me the strength and hope that I never get from anyone. Mike , i had a injury on my right hand middle finger. The tip of my finger got sliced and it cut the tendon. After that I feel like i have loose my finger. The damage place had a new skin and the skin become so sensitive. Lots of scar tissue. Finger becomes less power. I can’t do anything since 3 months past. Cant even hold the glass of water with it. Barley do nothing with this hand. It was so emotional and frustrating part of my like. I’m 30 years old. It feels like that the end of the world. I’m done with it. I Just wondering from your surgery how you cope with everything from 3 months to one year. Because this is the most important part. How you manage and how the straggling point you overcome. If you Just share with me few words it will be great full . Thanks again mike. For you so many people get some hope in their life.
The first 3 months is the most critical. After 3 months, the injury is healed about as much as it will be and you are stuck with what you have unless you have another surgery. The hardest part to deal with is the emotional part but the only thing that will heal that is time. It does get better with time. After 3 months I started lifting weights again and using my hand as much as I could so I could slowly build strength back. I just tried to forget about the finger and get on with my life and eventually I build more strength in the hand and got use to it. I'm reminded of it every day because it's much different now but I'm very use to it now and it bothers me less as time goes by.
Severed my right pinky profundus ligamemt 4 days ago, right in the middle joint crease. Had surgery 48hrs ago Just starting to feel physically better. Your'e right that the worst part of this is psychological. It was such a small ( yet deep) cut. Almost no blood or pain, but i couldn't use it the way my brain was used to. I keep having mental flashes of that tendon floating around in my hand, and the moment where i cut it, and what it looked like. Im wondering when ill be able to pick my son up normally again. This really sucks, but I'm glad that the recovery stories are promising.
Sorry to hear about your injury. You’ll be fine and life will go on. You’ll be picking your son up before you know it. My jacked up finger doesn’t prevent me from doing anything I use to do. It’s all psychological. Take the time to slow down and reflect on life. Also, go watch the documentary “The Dawn Wall”. You’ll know why about half way through. Keep your head up and good luck.
i cut the same finger on my right hand 7 weeks ago and i had flexor tendon repair with graft,and neuroplasty of digital nerve.my pip(top part of finger) is numb and when i massaging the scar i get electric shock and cant make a fest .i cant pick up a cup of coffee just started to brush my teeth with same hand .im self employed and need my both hand to do the work ,this is emotionally draining and frustrating .i need second surgery to repair digital nerve.
I'm sorry to hear about your injury. It is really tough emotionally but that will heal with time. By about the 12 week point, I was able to use my hand for anything and it took a few more weeks to get my dexterity back. The hardest part during the first winter was how cold the scar tissue would get. It gets really hard and then it's tough to bend the finger. The second year isn't as bad and it gets easier to deal with. I had that "electric shock" feeling too in the beginning but It eventually went away and I never had a second surgery. Hope that helps.
Climbed up a basketball hoop when I was 14. Felt a sharp pain as I dropped off the hoop and the mesh got stuck around my pinky. Parents said it was just a jam and didnt do anything about it. 14 years later I'm in surgical residency and I've just gotten use to being a pinky down. I've had lots of offers to fix it, but honestly I just dont care enough. You get use to it. Its never impeded cutting or important tasks. However, ive closed quite a few doors on it.
Thanks for the 14 year report, Drew. I'm just about at the point of closing the final door on this one. I'm pretty use to it now and don't want to go through all that again. Still frustrating at times but I'm sure I'll get more use to it each year. Good luck in residency.
The hardest part is the mental acceptance. You will have to come to terms with the fact that your fingers will never be the same again and may look "creepy". There's nothing we can do to change the past but we can learn how to move forward and accept our new situation. It's tough to do. When I finally just let go and accepted that this was it, this was the new me, and I was going to be buried with this "creepy" finger, I felt so much better. It still bothers me from time to time but not like it did in the beginning. I wish you the best of luck and keep your head up.
I cut two flexor tendons February, had a operation two days later. Few months in it ruptured, last Tuesday I had my second operation and now got to wait three months to have another one. Luckily I haven't let it get to me, I'm just happy it wasn't my thumb or index finger and this is just another hurdle i'll have to overcome. What don't kill you will make you stronger lol
Im so happy i came a cross this video! I am about 5 weeks after my surgery and im having the same problem you have, this tip of my finger is like its dead, i cut through both tendons and the nerve so i have no feeling in my pinky, but i can move it just about the same as yours, mine is still pretty swollen. I have intensive physio one a week to try to get the end of the finger to bend they have told me its more than likely stuck on scar tissue…. It has been the most stress full 5 weeks of my life ngl, not being able to do the little thing like you normally would is so frustrating. But like i said thank you so much for making this video its helped me alot!! :))
I'm sorry to hear about your injury but really glad the video helped you. You are describing exactly how I felt at that point in the recovery. It's more mentally tough than anything but our minds are very resilient. You will get use to it over time, although it doesn't seem like it now. Good luck and keep your chin up.
Unfortunately I severed 2 tendons (little finger like you Mike) and ring finger I also sustained a heavy laceration on my middle finger but didn't severe the tendon but because they had to check to see if there actually was damaged it's now just like the little finger n ring finger, I'm just over 6 weeks now since surgery and I can tell its getting better every week I see the difference my hand/fingers are getting stronger. I'll need a splint to straighten them back out but hopefully after the next 6 weeks I'll have a decent right hand again with a solid grip once more! I read a comment somebody was in the splint to straighten them back out. I would love to know how successful that went. I'm looking forward to lifting things I use to an just having the confidence to do anything! Absolute debilitating injury and the pain for a week after surgery was brutal! But you just get through it and march on!! 💪 This video has given me hope that this time next year my hand will be good enough to get on with life. Thanks Mike for your update and also to the people that have shared their stories! First time I can relate to people that are or have been going through after their injury.
Hey Tommy, sorry to hear about your injury man. It sucks, that's for sure. Obviously the fingers will never be the same again but you will get use to it and you will be able to use your hand again, but it takes time to get use to. When I first went back to work, it was difficult because I use my hands and fingers a lot at work and need the dexterity in each finger. It was an adjustment but didn't take long before I didn't even notice it. It's more of a mental adjustment than anything. A year from now, you'll still have the memory of your injury and be constantly reminded by the fingers but you'll be way more use to it and life will go on as usual. I know that's hard to believe right now but it's true. I'm a little over 2 years since my injury and the finger still wants to curl in constantly so I stretch it out as much as I can and still use the brace for the finger at night occasionally but nothing permanently stretches it out. You will most likely be dealing with that for the rest of your life. I got lucky in my injury. I also deeply lacerated the pinky, ring, and middle fingers. Each of them in 2 places, but was lucky that the tendon was only cut in the pinky. Good luck to you and just try to slow your mind down for the time being and realize that it will get better over time.
Wanna say thank you bro a lot I just had my surgery, today I was so scared n nervous I ruined my tendon n had nerve damage for two finger ring finger an pinky. I’m glad the surgery is over
I tried to back out because I was so scared but my surgeon said no that I will have a disability for life an he will not allow me back to work but glad I overcame
Glad it’s over for you. I was pretty nervous too so I get it. Now it’s all about recovery and getting those fingers working again. Start active range of motion as soon as the doc lets you.
On Halloween, two of my dogs got into a really bad fight. One was my 10 yo English pointer, the other was my nephew's dog. He lost his house and i took her in. I got between them to break them apart, and ellie accidentally got my pinky with her back teeth. I knew immediately it was broken. The bones between the top joint and middle were all completely severed, and the knuckle was upside down. Surgeon put in a plate, 6 screws, and 2 pins in that middle space of my pinky. ! The pain is immense, still. I can't feel the top, i can't move anything. He's going to remove the hardware when the bones all heal. I really dread it. My pinky is scared from top to bottom. The recovery was so painful. Now, There's so much scar tissue. It's really awful.... watching your updates gives me a little hope. I'm not gonna lie though, I'm really stressing over the next surgery.
Sorry to hear about your accident. Going through something like this really sucks. The best thing you can do is keep your eyes set on a later date when it will all be healed up. It will probably never be the same again but your mind will get use to it in time. Good luck with the healing and I pray your next surgery goes quickly and successfully.
I injured my left index in the same way, I was impatient trying to break my dogs up! Fortunately I did not break any bones but the nerve, ligament and flexor tendons were severed, I’m 8 weeks since my surgery and I know I’ll by able to get back to work in a couple more months but not sure if my guitar playing will ever be the same, so my hart goes out to!!
This is my first week, tendons were severed in the middle of my hand for my middle finger and pinky. Just got pretty emotional for the first time. This video helped me so much man. Thank you for that.
Nope, it's still quite numb on the inside of the finger where the original numbness was. I have regained some feeling but not all. I'm pretty use to it now.
I cut my pinky (right across in the middle) with a knife when I was 8 and had a tendon repair surgery. The outcome was the same as you, the top joint of the pinky was “dead” and unable to move. Everything was well, able to play piano, contact sport etc. Now I’m 24 and just a month ago the same tendon ruptured again and it sucks. Doctor says that it’s because the scar tissue stuck the tendon to the bone (that’s why the top joint doesn’t move) it strains the lower part of the tendon (near the middle joint) so it tore again:(
I'm so sorry to hear that. Are you going to have surgery? I think if mine ruptured again, I'd just tell them to leave it alone. It doesn't work anyway and I'm use to it now. It merely serves as a cup holder, lol.
@@MikeKincaid79 yep I just had surgery about less than a month ago, the rupture was so bad that one end of the tendon stayed at the top joint and the other end ended up 11cm below my wrist so the surgical scar is super long haha. They used a cadaver tendon instead cause it was too damaged. When it ruptured the pain was unbearable, and my whole hand froze in place, unable to move even a single inch. So I had no choice but to go through surgery. I think if it ruptures, repair via surgery is necessary because a cut is a clean cut across but ruptures will cause fraying etc :(
I severed the nerve in my right pinkie and thought I'd died! I got the nerve reattached through surgery but am seeing a large scar forming like a keloid scar. As much as it hurts to massage it, I'm seeing a bit more softening of the scar. Your video was very helpful. My injury was 2 months ago, and I'm starting to feel sensation again I'm my finger. However, I did have almost electrifying sensations if my finger touch anything. Like hitting your funny bone! Thanks again!
I'm on week four post my surgery. I think I needed to see this, so thank you - I'm interested to know, though, when did you resume gym after your surgery?
I had surgery on July 12th and started lifting again on September 5th. From there it took about a month to get my strength back up but I waited for about 6 months to start deadlifting again.
A pocket knife folded over my pinky finger and severed one tendon all the way and another 25% that was about 90 days ago, I'm very lucky I have full movement and for people with similar injuries, listen to physical therapists and doctor but it will get better, good lucky, ohh and make sure the you work on breakingdown the scar tissue over time
I'm sorry to hear about your injury. It will get better. I was pretty miserable about it at the 5 week point. Try to take a deep breath and do some soul searching about life during this time. Slow down and think about how you want your future to look. Trust me, you'll come out on the other end and it will be a thing of the past eventually.
I just had 2 tendons and a nerve cut on index finger 5 days ago and I haven’t had my surgery yet. Finding out new things I can no longer do everyday is mentally draining
@@Cjaiih Make sure you do all the PT and massage after you get your cast off it will make a noticeable difference. Buy vitamin C too as it helps rebuild tissue. Its tough but we can do this!
I'm here with you guys. I cut my pinky March 12th on a garage door. More like a major rip. It was bad. Severed inside nerve and artery and cut flexor %90. I'm taking rehab very serious. Can't do much yet though. Today marks 3 weeks since surgery. Now I get to go harder on PT but I'm afraid my pinky will be just like the authors. Can't move my pinky end. I'm afraid its my new normal. Good luck my fellow finger flunkies.
Cut the tendon in my primary use thumb. My thumb is like your pinky even after using braces to try and straighten it out. I’ve gotten used to it after a few years but I found out my limitations while rock climbing. I’m so thankful for dr.Lex Allen who gave me use of my thumb again. I do have lots of scar tissue but Atleast I have use of it
Man, I fractured my pinky in the proximal phalanx area a year ago and the surgeon never fixed it at all! Didn’t realign it or even give me a splint. Just said you should buddy tape it!. It healed with a malrotation and malunion. I’ve still been debating after a year to do surgery as it’s all healed now. What sucks is I’m a guitar player. And it’s a lot more difficult to play the guitar. Most other surgeons just advised me it’s to much of a risk to go in there and resaw through it and pin it in the proper position. Wish I had a gazing ball to see if it would end up better or worse. I have decent mobility but man oh man it put me in the biggest suicidal depression of my life. Everyone thinks ohhh it’s just a pinky. But the pinky is so important for guitar. Sucks so badly. My finger has a hyper extension. So my grip is off and it feels so whack
My best advice. DO NOT HAVE SURGERY! LOL. That's not a medical opinion, just my personal opinion from my own experience. I get it, it sucks, but what's done is done. Decide to move on and you will play guitar well again, even with a screwed up finger. Go watch the documentary "The Dawn Wall" and see if it doesn't give you the best motivation you've ever had. Good luck!
Massage all the time, move it in different directions, warm (mine was 40C) it when it gets hard dipping in the water for about 5minutes (that was required in my case). When you sleep, you might need to wrap it (bandage) bending for hours until you will feel numb, by that time you can take it out. Nothing goes back to normal, but at least you can use that hand again.
@@tunein6765 you can use either a towel, or bandage, or a piece of cloth, or anything that will help bend the deformed part of the hand (finger)... mind is hand and was almost not able to bend all the fingers. And per the advice of my therapists, I need to grip my hand as much as I can and wrap it so it won't open right away. As if forcing to bend. Sorry if I did not explain well, but hope you got the idea now. Stay safe.
Here's a playlist of the whole recovery process: ruclips.net/p/PLpmpssr45yfPYcLFY17ouccZZNdfvtH6I
Feel better my guy! I’ve had a similar issue with my ring finger on dominate hand. Something went through my hand at work and I’ve had flexor tendon & pulley repair etc. It’s been 2 years for me and I was in physio, shockwave, water therapy etc consistently week in week out. I’ve noticed absolutely 0 improvement from the day the injury occurred, to me it felt 100% like once it was cut that was that, the surgery won’t do antrging to correct it further in my opinion not worth the recovery and down time. My scar tissue gradually got firmer and firmer, there is no “breaking it down until it’s gone” with these types of injuries. I wish the healthcare workers and specialists recommending things would be more open to what people express as the issue. For me it’s been such an issue because it’s almost blocking access to my pinky as well, being the 4th digit. I was an absolute fucking beast at everything I did before this. Since I’ve gotten clearance to use it for anything I want I’ve noticed there’s absolutely no possibility of me being the same as I was before, I can’t push myself because I don’t have the access to muscles/tendons I use to, not trusting myself with heavy weights cause it feels like something is tearing out of my finger, not being able to fully stretch so causing issues relaying to other muscles becoming tight etc.
Time will heal this in some peoples situations, in mine I’ve been 100% positive from the day it happened and have followed everybody’s recommendations, I know for a fact there will be no improvement and that there hasn’t been any change since it was originally damaged. This is an absolute nightmare but very lucky to still have my hand/wrist so all good in the end, just shit to try to adapt from what you enjoyed/loved doing in pushing yourself physically, and not being able to anymore etc.
Mike, I’m a hand therapist (OT) and I appreciate hearing from you about the emotional impact of your injury. Sometimes as a therapist it’s easy to overlook that aspect since we are so focused on the physical rehab. It looks like you’ve regained some really good function and I think your instinct to avoid more surgery is right. Surgery has its own risks, and the outcome isn’t guaranteed. I keep hoping some brilliant researcher will come up with a noninvasive way to selectively target scar tissue! Thanks for sharing all your plant knowledge!
Thanks for the comment, Joyce! If you just found the channel then you may not know that I'm also a registered nurse so I get to work with you OT guys and gals all the time at the hospital. Yeah, the toughest part of this injury was the emotional part but it does get easier over time. The reality though is that you have to do the time, lol. There's no fast track to getting through it easier. Like you, I dream of the day that this is an easy and noninvasive fix. I keep imagining a new technique in which an interventional radiologist inserts a long stiff wire through the tip of the finger under CT guidance and the wire is threaded all the way down the length of the finger and then circles around the tendon (cutting the scar tissue). Wouldn't that be so much easier than cutting the whole finger open again. Thanks again and glad you enjoy the videos!
Hello joyce, I’m so glad i found your comment because I’m in the same situation as him and I’m thinking about surgery but I don’t know what I should decide. However I’m doing kenalog injections every 2 months do you think that might help with the range of motion coming back?
Hi Parsa, As far as I know, Kenalog can help flatten & soften keloid or hypertrophic scarring but I don't know whether it has an effect on tendon to tendon &/or tendon to bone scar adhesions. What does the physician giving you the injections say? I'd be interested to know. In regard to choosing surgery or not (assuming you have a loss of motion due to scar adhesions), in my opinion the biggest factor in your decision should be how much functional impairment do you have due to the loss of motion? Your hand surgeon & a good hand therapist can evaluate your hand & make recommendations, but in the end, only you can decide whether what you stand to gain is worth going through another surgery. Also, ask your physician what kind of time frame he or she would recommend if you do want to consider an additional surgery. As far as I know, there is no downside to waiting for a while & just seeing how you do. But again, talk to your doctor & therapist since they know the specifics of your situation. Good luck, & I hope your finger improves!
Joyce Love hi joyce, thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment, I really appreciate that. My physican didn’t talk specifically about whether the tendon to tendon or tendon to bone adhesions would be affected as well or not, she just mentioned that it should help. I have lost some range of motion, i am able to make a fist but it is not very tight and my grip is not as strong as I would like it to be. However that’s not the only issue I’m facing. For some reason i have a throbbing pain my forearm which lasts the whole day and recently i have been experiencing a grinding sensation in my forearm when i rotate my hand which is annoying and nerve wracking. My surgeon tells me the chances of a tenolysis surgery success is 40% and failure chances are 60% but frankly it seems like he isn’t that confident in himself. Do you think a tenolysis surgery is too risky? Or do you think I should wait until i find a confident surgeon who is able to get it done correctly? Again thank you time and insight!
Hi Parsa, It sounds like maybe a second opinion would be helpful in your case. The pain & grinding you're experiencing could be due to issues unrelated to your tendon injury & someone needs to evaluate that. Also, if you are questioning your surgeon's confidence in his skills, a second opinion should help you feel like you can make the most informed decision. Good luck with your decision-making!
Bro I’m 4 weeks in and finding this video gave hope moving forward thank you 🙏
Glad to bring you hope. I hope you heal up fast and can get on in life without too much trouble. keep your head up.
Can you tell me how was the surgery?
Is the process finished? I just tore my tendon and have to have surgery soon
@@theboiscomedy7057 yea bro the surgery itself after isn’t painful or anything what’s painful is therapy
@@robertguzman7744 oh ok
I’m currently 4 weeks post op and just found this video. Really helped to know that a year later it’s not that big of an issue. My injury was a knife accident and I got both the ring and middle finger with both tendons. Also ended up damaging a nerve and an artery in my index finger. You’re right about the mental stuff especially when in my case it was my dominant hand that suffered the injury. But slowly getting used to being a lefty! Thanks for positive vibes I have gained from this!
Hey Skyler, I'm sorry to hear about your injury but glad that the videos are helping. Yeah, it's a tough injury and the worst part is the mental frustration and emotional pain you go through. Mine was on my dominant hand as well and it screwed me up for awhile. I was more fortunate than you in that I also cut the pinky, ring, and middle fingers in 2 places each, but only severed the tendon in the pinky finger. It's a tough thing to go through but you'll get there man, and you'll learn to be ambidextrous while doing it. It's hard to imagine feeling better about it while going through it but trust me, a year from now you won't care near as much. The fingers will always be a little funky and remind you on a regular basis but you won't care as much and life will go on just fine. Good luck and work hard on the physical therapy.
I’m 6 weeks post op with the same injury, pinky and ring on dominant hand 😭
How is your experience now? i cut my dominant right hand index finger tendon about 12 days ago i just has surgery yesterday they told it would take about three month to heal, is it still effecting you ? can you grab stuff normal ?
@@carloshernandez1224 There are still a few things I still can’t grab/grip. Like jars I can’t open at all. In terms of grip you’ll learn ways around it! I’m now almost a year post-op when I bend my fingers the two that had the tendon damage don’t completely close anymore. They’re about an inch away from palm, so yes it does still effect me but you learn to adapt. Impressively my hand writing has greatly improved since the surgery. In conclusion it will take time but in the end you’ll adapt :)
How are you now my man? I have cut mine in 2 with a chainsaw, 4 days ago on my left middle finger and am going to need surgery. Would like to know how u are now.
A month ago I suffered a gunshot wound to my hand and had immediate surgery. I can’t bend my index,middle finger or thumb anymore just like your pinky and the first could weeks were absolutely hard to accept the fact that this is my life now. I worked construction and have a 1 year old son I hope to get back to work but may have to find something else for my new disability. Your vid helps a lot gives me hope
Time heals all injuries. Some faster than others. Took me 7 years to get complete use of my left shoulder collarbone neck and elbow from a car accident. Like you i was frustrated in the slowness of healing. I heal fast normally. But that particular car accident tore a lot of tissue up. After a year of in an out of pt i gave up and excepted that it was as good as it was gonna get. I totally thru it to the back of my mind and continued with my hobbies. Gardening....... at first i was having a lot of pain not being able to work the tissue fully extended. Especially the elbow. It would lock up in a folded position at 90 degree angle. Massage would not loosen it. But i found if i shook my arm it would suddenly let loose. Over time it happened less and less. 7 years later i realized hey i can use all of these muscles tendons and ligaments again. No problem. Strength was back no more hurting except for the arthritis that set in in the joint of the shoulder and neck and collarbone due to the collarbone having been cracked. All in all. I did lose movement in my shoulder when i raise my arm up high. Because of the arthritis in the joint. But i still use it like its not there.
You too will be that way. Just throw the pinky to the back of your mind and keep using it. One day you too will suddenly realize that hey i can use the finger again and the scar tissue is finally gone. Keep up with the massage of tissue and using it. It will come around a lot more than it is.
My left index finger went thru same injury... Near back to normal after 45 years...
You are so cool...
That's really great to hear. Maybe there is hope of my finger getting more mobility in time.
what did you do to get more mobility over time? I've got adhesion on my flexor tendons and the very tip of my finger doesn't flex. It's not such a big deal but I can't play the guitar anymore
I had a flexor tendon repair last year June, the accident was caused by a knife and severed both tendons in my pinky and one tendon in my ring finger. It’s been hell for a year and has emotionally gotten me to a dark place. As I’m a year on, I don’t take much notice of my fingers, and carry on with day to day activities but my pinky finger being bent does get me down quite a bit. I’m finding comfort through the fact I’m not the only one who has gone through this and I’m hoping I can continue to adapt to my hand being this way.
Thank you for sharing your journey.
I'm very sorry that happened to you. Yes, it gets very frustrating at times. It's been 3 years for me and I only injured 1 finger, and I still get frustrated with the fact that it's crooked and won't bend. It's permanently curved inward and feels like it's tied down in a cage. People who have not experienced it don't understand the frustration you are going through but there are many of us out there who do, so you're not alone. Time heals all. The injury will always be there to remind you but you will get more used to it as time goes by. Good luck and I wish you the best.
Wow, thanks for sharing. I injured the end-joint (including tendon) recently on one of my ring-fingers and I'm struggling mentally with the recovery, which seems absurd for such a minor thing, but there it is. Your words are so encouraging and uplifting - thank you!
Mike you've gained a lot, scar tissue is always an issue, although it may not be perfect yet, time is your friend. Working in the garden is such good exercise for it as you don't realize you are doing it. You look like grip strength is back to normal or real close to it. I had hand surgery to strip the sheathing off a nerve and let me tell you it was the most frustrating injury I have ever had. It took 4 yrs to recover and the one problem was the scar tissue. I get the cold issue too, it burns like frost bite. So glad you have kept a positive attitude, that's what it takes to over come. Hang in there it'll get better with time.
Thanks for sharing your story Mike, and for everyone else who has also commented. I had a terrible accident with the hedge trimmer three months ago and completely severed the tip of my index finger above the first knuckle, cut through the tendons and nerves of the middle and ring fingers, and nerves, tendons, arteries, and bone of my pinky. The emotional trauma is the most difficult. Especially because it was a stupid mistake, but also as a woman to be missing part of a finger. I'm trying to give myself grace and am grateful for the surgeon that saved my remaining fingers. This is my new normal and I need to accept it. I too have limited movement in the tips of the remaining fingers. I have a large mass of scar tissue on my ring finger which makes gripping things painful. I continue with PT and at-home exercises and try to remain positive.
I am very sorry to hear about your accident, Colleen. It sounds much more traumatic than mine. This is a very difficult type of injury to get over emotionally, as you know. The biggest challenge is the emotional and mental part of it. You will get there and there is light at the end of the tunnel but you have to go through the tunnel to get to the other side. When I was going through therapy, I sat next to a guy who had his hand and arm ran over by a train. His arm didn't work right after reattaching tendons and his fingers (what was left of them) were all crooked and strange looking. None of them worked right. It had been a couple years but he was still in therapy. He had such a good attitude about it after the time had passed but it was extremely emotionally taxing in the beginning. There is hope. Keep your head up and lean on family at this time.
@@MikeKincaid79 Thanks Mike. It's nice to know there is a community that understands. Sometimes you feel as though you're on an island. I'm in the tunnel coming out the other side. I WILL be ok. Cheers
Hello, I just discovered Mikes story on here and it’s given me a lot of comfort after my surgery this week. A month ago I also injured myself with a hedge trimmer and deeply cut through the majority of my middle finger. The surgery was an attempt to reconstruct the nerves and get any feeling back. I’m saddened and amazed to here your similar story and I hope you keep up the strength to navigate this new reality. We put a lot of attention on appearances as women but I would like to think that your courageousness is what people will notice first now.
Hi @@sarahbellsthank you for your message. I am one year into my recovery and doing ok. While I still have no feeling above the incisions of the three cut fingers, I do have movement and continue to build up strength. I found an amazing tattoo artist and he tattooed a "fingernail" on the tip of my severed finger. It makes it look less like a nub and just a short finger. Yes, we do place a lot of attention on appearance, and this helps me feel less self-conscious about it. Best of luck with your recovery. I'm glad they were able to save your finger.
My husband got same injury with his ring finger a week ago. Thanks to your video, we could somehow accept the reality that his finger won't get better, but IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. Sincerely, thank you. It has been hard for me too watching my husband suffer.
Glad you appreciate the video. This was a tough experience for me and very emotionally taxing. It's hard to explain the inner turmoil a person goes through over something like this. It's as much an emotional journey and a journey of letting go and acceptance as it is a physical healing journey. You're a good woman for hanging in there with your husband. It will get tough for him at times and very frustrating but in the end, he will come to accept it mentally. Good luck and I wish you the best.
Thank you. I’ve been suicidal over this because it happened in a abusive relationship, and he wouldn’t let me go to the doctor. Everytime i look at it i just loose it and cry. In 2015 i was told there’s nothing to do with it, but now 7 years later i’ve learned that maybe i can (i live in Norway, so not any information on it) i am going to the doctor in 2 days and i’m hoping it’s a positive answer for surgery.
I'm sorry to hear about your injury. If it had been that long for me and I was use to it then I'd probably not do the surgery since the outcomes seem to be fairly poor. I guess it depends on which finger you have to repair. I wish you all the best and hope it turns out the way you want it to.
@@MikeKincaid79 Thanks for answering! it’s the little finger, but mine is broken at the beginning of the finger so i can still bend it (just not all the way down) i just want to feel normal again. Do you have any pain in the morning?
I'm about 2 months in and about to start physical therapy. I have the same problem with the tip of my ring finger. I'm so scared and frustrated. I found your videos looking up the recovery process. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. You seem so down to earth. I wish I could have a cup of coffee or a beer with you and talk some more but like BOTH our fingers that probably would never work lol.
LOL, Cup of coffee sounds good. hope you heal up fast man. And you're right, the finger won't be the same again but you'll definitely get use to it in time. You'll just have a constant reminder of what not to do.
@@MikeKincaid79 I figured out my own little hack to get the finger to bend. I've been taping the tip to the tip of the finger next to it so it bends. Then I'm able to make a fist.... just working on grip strength
@@nohsiajsenoj8891dude I think we have the exact same thing… tip of my ring finger at the last joint doesn’t bend and have a lot of scar tissue on the bottom middle section of the finger that may be blocking the tendon but I don’t know. How you holding up now?
I injured my left ring finger with a kitchen steak knife. I severed my tendon, nerve,and my pulley above my wedding band. I feel my wedding band saved my ring finger from completely cutting through. 8 months ago I had a repair done by a hand surgeon and after 6 months of physical therapy I gained very little movement of my ring finger. Believe my I did all my therapy and becoming obsessed with it. My surgeon suggested to do a revision on my finger to remove the scar tissue around the tendon, nerve and pulley he repaired. So I won’t through with it about a month ago. When I came out of surgery I was able to move my ring finger very easily and I was elated. Later that evening,it was about 5pm. My hand started to swell and movement was lost. After therapy the day after and until now I have very little movement.
I just wanted to thank you for your video, time is what I need. You helped put me at ease.
Thank you for sharing your story. I've considered doing the scar removal surgery but feel like it would turn out the same. Your story has confirmed that for me. Yes, time can heal and it's best to live in the present while planning for the future. Good luck.
Thank you for making these videos. I’m your age and starting the healing process with the same exact injury and same finger. I love to lift weights too and was worrying I might not be able to again. This video is so reassuring. And I’m so glad you are feeling better!
Glad it's helpful. Sorry to hear about your injury. It's a tough thing to go through but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. Keep your head up. Oh yeah, and it doesn't interfere with weightlifting at all now.
Thanks for this video. It’s hard to find info out there (and would appreciate any resources you may have found). I cut a tendon and nerve in zone 2 in my ring finger of my right hand. I’m 2.5 months post-surgery and experiencing some pretty significant curling on my finger. Hoping it straightens out as swelling goes down, otherwise I fear I’ll never be able to do push-ups or lay my hand flat again.
@@brandydelange dude get a finger splint to wear at night from an OT. It's helping my finger straighten out over time.
Im glad you made this video, really wish I had someone show me this a year ago when, its truely like you said, extremely emotionally draining. Have you tried working on the joints? In the past month or so ive been able to finally pop a few which it seems slowly allows for more motion in my case.
This helps more then you could imagine! Thank you 💙
How is it for you now ? I just messed up mine too 😭
MIKE, thats why i work with houseplants i have so that i can lose my self, i,m not able to get out into the forests any more so i use plants as my escape, keep on working your finger and you,ll be able to bend it it,ll take a while though
Bringing the forest into your home is a wonderful idea.
Good additude Mike. Being in shape helps recover faster. Had my spline removed an was putting shingles on our roof in just a few weeks. Doc said exercise. Staying busy keeps your mind right. Having fun an good results propagating . Thanks Mike
Keep working with it and keep it massaged. Manually move it in the directions you normally would use it. It will never be perfect but that scar tissue will dissipate more & more over time
I keep working it, we'll see what happens in time. Thanks, Kelly.
@@MikeKincaid79 Seems soaking it in warm to hot water. Then work with it would help. As the one videos I shared said. The body will convert the scar tissue back to normal tissue. Just keep messaging it.
Mike, Thank you so much for these videos. I had a knife go across my pinky and cut both tendons and nerve. I'm 9 weeks post surgery and I have about the same amount of movement in my tip. On top of this, 3 weeks after my surgery I had to get my wisdom teeth removed due to an infection. I'm only 22 years old and also love to lift weights. I'm currently deciding between a second surgery or not. I have much less use of the pinky than you do shown in your videos as they were only able to repair one tendon. This has been mentally and financially exhausting. I can't thank you enough for discussing this process.
Man, I'm so sorry to hear about your injury. Just know that you will get through the mental exhaustion part and life will go on. A couple years from now you'll look back and remember this but it will all be in the past and you'll have long since moved on mentally. My dad had a similar injury in his middle finger and the tendons were completely destroyed so he hasn't been able to use his middle finger since his teens. He can't bend it at all so he walks around flipping everyone off on accident, haha.
@@MikeKincaid79 that’s what is going on with my middle finger now. I had the surgery and now have scar adhesions but not sure if I should do the tenolysis surgery. How did his middle finger being like that affect his ability to do things?
How r u now man
Are you able to straighten your pinky??
How are u now?
Omg, I've chopped off tip of my index finger off. Had a surgery. They took skin from side of my finger to craft my finger. I destroyed nerves, I didn't get tendons though. I'm now on week 3 and started physio. It's conforting to know that I'll get back to the gym. Thanks for sharing this video. More tips for healing faster please
You'll get back in there sooner than you think. Your other fingers will get stronger and pick up any slack from the injured finger. Eventually, you'll just grab the bar and won't know the difference.
4 days post op same finger. I’ve had carpal tunnel surgerys in the past but this is just as frustrating. Thanks for sharing 🍀
Yes, very frustrating, but you got this!
Back in January, I got my left hand stuck in a grain auger and I'm going in for my fifth surgery this upcoming August. Listening and seeing you move this is a huge comfort and motivating. It sliced through my tendons and severed half my hand so on top off all the therapy and visits this is encouraging. Thank you @Mike
Glad to bring encouragement but man I’m so sorry to hear about your injury. Keep your head up. It sucks but people with all kinds of injuries and disabilities get on with life eventually.
Wow David so sorry to hear! I had sliced my index and middle finger back in December and have just barely been able to straighten out 1 of my 2 injured fingers…I’m working on range of motion exercises rn and it’s really hard to bend the tips…I’m hopeful that with time I can fully use my fingers again with a full range of motion but who knows
I'm in the middle of getting surgery clearance for my right 4th finger. I haven't been able to use it or my 5th finger for 3 months and I understand that it's going to be another 3 months. Thank you for making this video. It gives me hope again. I'm scared. People want to hear it's going to get better from someone who has been there. Thank you
The process sucks but keep your head up. Good luck with the surgery.
Hey Mike, thank you for the update video and sharing your experience with us. I see that you still have a contracture, I’m thinking maybe you can go back to the therapist and ask them to make you a finger splint to help straighten it out. I’m hoping this suggestion can help with that.
Continue with the exercises as much as you can, I saw a surgeon recently and he told me that one of his patient’s range of motion started to come back after a year. Keep trying and I will keep cheering for you! I have the exact same injury as you on the pinky and still can’t bend the tip of my finger. Stay positive and keep trying. I learned through this journey that your mental health has the efficacy to help with your recovery and injury.
Yes I had a similar roughly 25 degree contracture. On week 6 my therapist added padding over my pinky under the strap to push it against the inside wall of my splint. Very painful and sore for about 6 hours but by the next morning I was able to actively straighten it completely.
Cut my tendon last week in the exact same place and hand (accident with a knife) and I'm looking at this surgery and the physiotherapy. This video gives me some hope although I feel like the loss of function a year out will be devastating. I'm a programmer/system admin by trade and typing is awful without this. It's aggravating my mild carpal tunnel a lot.
On the other hand, I will adapt and this isn't the end of the world. It's very emotionally rough though.
So glad you've adapted well. Good luck!
It's definitely an emotional ride. If you're interested, I made a whole series of these videos starting with the injury last summer and I talk about all the emotional challenges I went through over this. Typing was very difficult and It was a lot of hunt and peck with my left hand for a couple months. As you can see, a year later, my finger still doesn't work all the way but I'm back to typing very well and quickly and the finger doesn't effect it. I'm a registered nurse and I type all day and don't have any problem now. You'll get use to it in time but it is emotionally difficult in the beginning.
Glad that your pinkie healed nicely. Yes the time will heal. Thanks for sharing and happy growing,
Hi Mike, i am 5 weeks in and your video really cheered me up. Thanks
It's tough but keep your head up. There's light at the end of the tunnel.
Just cut my pinky and it is curled and won’t uncurled I swear u eased my mind it only has been 3 months since surgery thank u
Thank you mike for a motivational video. I had my operation on index finger, 3 months back. I am extremely frustrated by not seeing it bending. That injury is on my non-dominant hand but still it’s on index finger and i am not able to make a fist. I need some inspiration from whoever reading my comment bcz I am loosing my mind. Slowly I am getting a feeling of end of life 😔. Need some motivation to boost my confidence. Thanks.
Keep your head up and stay positive. I was finally able to get over it when I let go of the possibility that it would improve and just accepted it. That allowed me to move on. I guess it depends on how mobile or immobile the finger is and whether you can accept it. There is a freeing feeling in making a decision.
Same situation 2 months in on my main hand index finger, can you make a fist ?
They can’t fix anything. But quick to take your money aren’t they? I’m just going to have my index removed. 1 month in.
I just wanted to say thank you for this video. It gives me more hope. I’m 4 months since surgery, I’m having the same issue as you. My tip won’t bend on my ring finger. Doctor told me that he recommends another surgery for the “adhesion in my FDP.” I’ve been super hesitant if I want to do surgery or not. This gives me more hope to stay away from it. I’ve been super stressed and depressed. This gives me more motivation. Thank you!
I'm not a doctor and can't give medical advice but for me, it was a good thing to forgo the second surgery. I was told that it won't improve things that much and there was a good chance of re-rupturing the tendon. You have to make the best decision for you but ultimately for me it was good to let go and move on. I finally realized that the damage was done and came to accept that the finger would never be the same again. Once I gave in to that fact, a weight came off of me and I was able to move on with life. I hope that helps and I wish you luck going forward.
@@MikeKincaid79 only reason I’d consider doing the surgery is because I have a piece of glass (or something) in my middle finger, so when they’d do the surgery in my ring finger, they’d also cut my middle finger and get that object out. But other than that, I’ve came to the conclusion my finger will never be able to bend all the way into a fist. I’ve just got to practice using it this way now. Thank you for the advice!! Much appreciated.
I have a scar tissue for the last 5 years. You are spot on with your remarks.
Yeah, I've had a ton of people tell me how to get rid of scar tissue. I'm not buying any of it, lol. It doesn't just go away and all mine is still there after creams, lotion, and tons of massage, even tried ultrasound to break up the scar tissue.
@@MikeKincaid79 now heads up. Ok you get used to this already but unable to flex it totally would cause dorsal interossei muscle athropy in time. And if you sleep on that hand, you ll create ulnar nerve entrapment which will cause muscle wasting down the finger faster. Be careful.
Another heads up. You extend your thumb too much in the video. Do not do that. You ll end up with cmc-1 oa since the balance is already broken.
You have a good outlook on your finger. If it doesn't get better at least you have learned to live with it and at least it's workable and doesn't look at all bad. It's been a long year and I think you handled it like a trooper.
Thanks Pat, glad it's over.
you are still lucky, I had surgery on three fingers of my right hand (little finger, ring finger and middle finger), that was since March 2020, and now it's exactly like your fingers can't be straightened, I got this wound because I avoided robbery and murder. and I am also lucky that only 3 of my fingers had their tendons severed and are still alive today. yes even though I can't use my right hand like I used to before the tendon graft surgery, it's not the end of the world! if those of you reading this experience something similar, don't give up, this is not the end of everything.😉
Yep, there's always a worse injury, and finally death.
Great advice. I have the same injury and as a classical guitarist it’s the one finger on my right hand that i don’t use all that much… excellent greenhouse btw!
It really really does, & just like you also said that there're a lot of people who have a worst conditions than you have, and Mike i swear to GOD that i've been meaning to ask but i said i don't wanna remind you but actually you're taking it so much better than i've had expected & i hope that for everyone have an issue with their bodies, thanks for the video Mike bye for now.
I had an injury (moray eel bite) that left me in a near identical state as your hand. I was told that over time my pinkie would straighten/I would be able to bend the tip but 5 years later zero improvement. I just had tenolysis 12 days ago to cut away the scar tissue that had adhered the tendon and let me tell you, I was in tears a few days ago when I was able to bend to tip of my pinkie for the first time in 5 years. I never had to get the tendon repaired in the first place, the adhesion was caused by the bite, so luckily I’ve only had to endure the one surgery but my understanding now is that tenolysis is usually for people in your situation - first you get then tendon repaired, then a year or so later you get the tenolysis to remove scar tissue adhesion.
I really appreciate your comment. I can only imagine how happy you were to be able to use your finger again. I so wish I could have that same experience and be able to fully use my finger again. I've gotten use to it but it still aggravates me at times. Reading your comment gives me hope and at times I think about having my finger re-evaluated by an orthopaedic surgeon for the tenolysis surgery. I know it would be tough to go through again but it would heal much faster and work again when healed. Thanks again for your inspiring comment.
Mike Kincaid I’m sure your surgeon already made you do this but another thing I DIDN’T do after the initial bite was aggressive hand therapy, which may have helped save my range of motion in the first place. I wasn’t instructed to pursue any kind of physio by the ER and I was too young to even consider it so I just let it be after the initial hospital visit and one follow up appointment. I heard from my current hand therapist that takes two years for the scar tissue to really adhere down so you have those two years to get aggressive massage and other interventions to try and loosen it up. You may still end up needing the tenolysis to get back ROM but it’s nice to know there’s a whole tool kit of things to try with this kind of injury.
@@JW-jj6sb how much range of motion did you get back? I seem to be stuuck at 25 degrees at week 9.5
Good to aee it's healed pretty nicely Mike. I heard that if you carefully heat alittle peanut oil in a stainless steel measuring cup on top of the stove while the oven or burners are on, and then massage it firmly into the scar tissue area for 10 to 15 mins per setting and it will break that down and soften it up somewhat. You're so helpful, love your channel. 👍🙏
Thanks for the tip
Thx Mike, very helpful, just found your video as I'm at week 8 of similar injury but lower down the finger and all 4 fingers.
Would love to see 2 year update !!!
I’m so happy I found your recovery videos. This injury has been so emotionally taxing. My job actually terminated me after I requested FMLA 🤦🏻♀️ Tendon and nerve repair on pinky and ring finger… I’m in week 6 and I’m paranoid that I re-ruptured the ring finger but maybe I just need to be patient.
I'm really sorry to hear about your injury and about your job loss. That really sucks that a company would do that. Hang in there and keep your head up, it will get emotionally easier with time. The emotional part is the toughest part and can really run your mind around in circles and take you to dark places. Don't let it. I can't promise that your fingers will be the same in a year, in fact they won't, but I can promise that the emotional and mental part of it will heal and life will go on. In time, you'll get use to it. I do promise that much. I thought I had ruptured my tendon as well but it is still intact. My problem was that the tendon adhered to the scar tissue and it doesn't bend much. Keep working on your therapy and let go of the frustration for now. Try to do some self reflection during this time. Get some quiet alone time often and just meditate. Stay as positive as you can. After posting these videos, I've been flooded with comments from people who've had these injuries so know that you're surrounded by a huge family of tendon cutters, lol.
I done the same thing to my pinky finger. I’m 11 weeks post op. Finger is still bent, swollen & so sore. How has your recovery been?!
My pinky is definitely still bent… It was swollen for a really long time, but the silicone sheets help with that… Also scar massage… My ring finger ended up re-rupturing, when they went in to correct it there wasn’t enough tendon to reattach… So they had to insert a silicone rod, let the sheaths and pulleys grow around it. I just had my final surgery, where they grafted a tendon from my forearm, attached it to the rod and pulled it through my finger… I finally have movement in my ring finger… I believe We will still have a slight bend to our fingers… It seems that they intentionally do that so there is proper cascade to the hand… Not sure… My apologies for voice diction right now, LOL texting with my left hand is difficult… How is your recovery, other than the swelling?
@@SarahS-ew3xt thank you very much for your reply. It’s been a tough & frustrating recovery. The pinky is still very stiff, I’m unable to move the tip, plus it’s very bent over, so I don’t know if that will improve? I’m hoping so. I’m doing all the exercises and scar massages every hour. So praying for a decent recovery. 🤞🏻
@@MikeKincaid79 I wish to know if 5 years is too late too late to get a pinky tendon surgery. I started feeling emotional this year when I wanted to hit the gym .. please I need a reply thanks
Thank you, Mike! Going through this right now, too. Cut myself with a piece of shattered glass (untempered!) from a blender. Partially cut the tendon and the nerve. You recovered wonderfully! All the best!
I’m really sorry to hear that. If your doctor is ok with it, keep moving that finger through a full range of motion every day to prevent scar tissue from adhering to the tendon.
@@MikeKincaid79 🤗 Thank you! Understood. Will do. Take care!
Hi Mike I cut my index finger and tendon on glass this morning. I have surgery tomorrow. I am worried about recovery period. It is great to see how you have progressed a year on.
Sorry to hear about your injury. They will tell you not to engage in active range of motion for about 4 to 6 weeks. They will use passive range of motion instead. If I could go back, I'd start using active range of motion very gently right from the beginning after they took the cast off. I recommend doing whatever your surgeon tells you to do but if I could go back, that's what I'd do. I hope it heals up well for you with good active range of motion.
@@MikeKincaid79 thanks for your video.I had a tendon repair surgery on my index finger two weeks ago. My physical therapist wants me to use passive range of motion but my surgeon is about active range of motions. He wants me to close my hand and hold it down already even if it hurts. I guess thats what you recommend as well?
@@farnaza863 I suggest doing active range of motion, passive is to warm it up. I am at 10 weeks and kinda wish i wasnt so scared earlier but I think i did the trick of making sure the tendon did not get stuck to the bone and now my problem is of course excess scar tissue. Listen to surgeon you need the active range of motion passive will not accomplish the same thing
Mike I'm glad it's gotten better for you and especially good to know that you can pullup and deadlift. I had a finger injury in a car accident and understand the emotions that go with it. 👍🏻
I’m at 8 weeks post op. My index finger is still curled and it’s hard to stretch it and the scar tissue is tough! Thanks for sharing this.
Sorry to hear that. It sure is a tough injury to go through. Yeah, my finger is still curled and I'm sure it's because they had to cut some of the tendon to get clean edges before sewing back together. Unfortunately, it'll never be the same but keep your head up and know that you're cool either way.
How is it now?
I severed the flexor tendons in my right pinky and ring finger, but didn’t damage the nerves. I have the same issue with scar tissue. You have to just roll the joint passively and break it up. I’m only 6 weeks post op.
I've rubbed that finger against hard edges of counters for 2 years. Still waiting for it to break up, lol.
I’m a physical therapist who had this injury on my middle finger. Had the same complication with scar tissue adhesions and lack of range of motion. With it being my middle finger, it was a huge impact on my function so I just had the second surgery called a tenolysis to release the scar tissue. It’s a serious surgery that required a large incision but I’m only 3 weeks out and my hand is already better than when it was 6 months after the first surgery. A good way to know if you would benefit from a second surgery is 1.) how much does it affect you, and 2.) do you have a much larger passive range of motion than active range of motion? So can you bend your finger with your other hand much more than it can bend on its own? If that is the case then you can benefit from a scar adhesion removal. But make no mistake, it’s a large surgery that requires immediate motion and squeezing your hand right after surgery with fresh stitches and blood oozing out. It’s intense but my hand is going to be much better off for doing it, just know it’s a tough rehab that starts immediately after surgery.
I do have much more passive ROM than active. They made me aware of the rehab with the bleeding and how tough it is in the beginning. That doesn't bother me. What bothers me is that the surgeon didn't feel confident that he wouldn't mistake scar tissue from tendon tissue and re-rupture the tendon during surgery. That is what has kept me from a second surgery.
Mike Kincaid I don’t know who your surgeon is and don’t mean it as an insult to them but a tenolysis is a much more difficult and technically challenging surgery than a tendon repair so I’m not surprised a surgeon might be hesitant about doing it. I was also worried about rupturing the tendon again and it happens around 8% of the time after a tenolysis which is a significant risk. It did seem to me like the risk was higher the sooner after the initial surgery the tenolysis is done and how good your surgeon is. I would only do it if you find a surgeon who you are confident in, and they are confident they can do it. I had the advantage of being a therapist and being able to talk to some hand therapists in the area to see who they thought had the best outcomes. But like I said it being my middle finger and impacting my function so much it really was worth the risk for me.
@@MikeKincaid79 I believe this is the kind of thing that the surgeons individual experience, skill and confidence matters a lot. The surgeon that worked on me has a very good rep and when he mentioned the possible second surgery from the get go and has never really implied that it is that risky. I am 33 and figure ill probably go for it if I am stuck with what I have now which is 25 degree bend which looks to be the same as yours. I can give it an obvious wiggle and flex it but its been stuck for a good 3 weeks at this and I am on week 10 so still a bit early. I was told most people get 30-40 degrees back
Currently going through this right now the exact same surgery but unfortunately I didn’t have insurance because I lost my job to Covid and the insurance I have doesn’t cover me so I’m glad I found your pinky vids because I can’t get into physical therapy so I’m doing the exercises from the other vid.
Make sure to keep working that finger so the tendon doesn't adhere to the scar tissue. By the way, I have insurance and it still cost me over $5000 out of pocket. Insurance is overrated.
I am so glad you are kind of over it because in the beginning was almost the end of the earth! I wish you never had the accident to begin with. Hugs 🤗💜
Yeah, me too, but glad we're well past this. Just hope these videos can help someone else going through it.
It absolutely will Mike! I am glad you are ok! I told you you will be and that you will enjoy the down time and the family. So cool...semiretired. Yah!!!🤗🤗🤗💜
Hey Mike I watched your video where you got the injury loading your pickup with trash to make a dump run. That was tuff and painful 4 u but u made it through. I am glad that u still got your pinky. Man dont worry bout it! You will regain the use of it gradually. God bless U
Lol was worse when you got both hands badly .. When I see a 🐝 I remember it how brave you got trough.
Your experience really helped me a lot to always use my gloves to clean the garden, already bought a farm in Erda this year, my land is big and still need cleaned and I have found by surprise broken glass on the ground and I say to myself "wow mike thanks if it wasn't for you I would already have my fingers cut off too" thank you mike for sharing .. I like all your videos! Keep going. 💛
Mike I have been shot in my pinky finger and my finger is stuck in a bent position. I can’t bend no part of it and I can’t make a whole fist my pink finger just sticks out but nice video bro keep going
Sounds terrible. I'm finding more and more people with all kinds of bizarre finger injuries.
Im the same but with my right index finger cant make a fist cant straighten just sticks out. Been a year since surgery mo recovery done a lot of physio still the same
Great to do this the issue frustrating me was if it’ll affect me for powerlifting but this is giving me hope even if I get 80% back I’ll be so happy
You'll get 100% dude. I'm not a powerlifter but I love lifting weights to stay in shape. I deadlift with 315 pounds for 6 to 8 reps and never have a problem with grip. The finger was a little sore at first because of the scar tissue but I was lifting my normal weights again just a month or 2 after the 90 day period when the doc said I can do what I want. You'll be lifting again.
Have the exact injury. Mines was in early 2017 though. I pretty much regained the same range of motion in my pink as you did after surgery. Scar tissue has the tendon traped just like yours. Like you said, this is probably the way it will be for life. In 3 months it will be 4 years since the surgery so (like you) i've just come to terms with this being the way it is.
Sounds about right. I think I've pretty much done the same, some to terms with the fact that this is it. I don't think I want to go through another surgery with uncertain outcomes.
This video gave me hope. Same finger just on my left hand 🤚🏾 thank you for making this video
Glad to spread the healing vibes man. Good luck on your recovery. It's more a mental game than anything but in time, you'll look back on this as just a little speed bump in life.
@@MikeKincaid79 thanks bro I appreciate it. I’m a firefighter and I been wondering if my career is over. But you should me it’s not even close to over! Thank you so much!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm going on 4 weeks post-op, well into physical therapy for similar issue with my left pinky, and so far my results seem to be similar to yours where that last joint on the pinky doesn't have much movement (3-5% normal mobility).
I would say overall, so far I'm glad to have done the surgery vs not doing anything at all. Pre-surgery, my pinky was completely straight which made typing incredibly difficult (I work a desk job). Post surgery, my pinky has that bend to it which makes it easier to type with.
Lol, I guess you’re right. It does help with typing!
Thank you soo much for this video and your comforting words bcs im going through the past surgery healing phase and its the hardest part about it bcs u end up feeling
like it wont get better.Thanks alot rlly
I’m glad you can find a little peace through these videos. It’s a tough thing to go through but you’ll come out stronger on the other side. Keep your head up.
bro i feel you. happened to me as well and its been 6 years after the surgery. i have received physiotherapy too and done a lot of exercises but its still bent and it has low mobility. after 6 years its still like that. the scars are all gone though. just the scar because of the incision is still there. i used to cry a lot because i feel like i lost something big and i was only 20 at that time. i still cry about it from time to time no kidding lol. i have done tons of research, for some cases, disfunction and disfigurement will be there for life. and as you said, if you wanna fix it then theres gonna be another surgery and theres no guarantee that it will make it perfect too so.. i finally try to accept the fate that i have to live with it. in winter, it can get a little bit numb around the pinky but its still manageable, especially if you wear gloves! if any of you is still suffering from this, try to always give yourself kind words. no one would think its such a big defect and everyone has scars.. anyways now i feel better whenever i stay to always keep positive!
Thanks for the insightful comment. I'm over a year after the injury now and it's like yours, still not working and looks disfigured. I'm use to it now. I cried about it in the beginning but I don't let it bother me too much any more although it does get frustrating at times. Stay positive, you've got a great attitude!
@@MikeKincaid79 totally understand you! but as you also said in the video, the other four fingers are working perfectly fine! mine too. and people wouldn’t even notice about the pinky unless we tell them.. or they’re really really close to us. whenever i feel like i am imperfect because of my pinky, i’d try to remember that there are people out there born without “perfect” bodies, then i would feel grateful and better :)
Thank you for sharing! I was 19 (now 20) when I had my finger surgery and also cried a lot before. Although, my surgery hasn't hit its one year anniversary hahaha, but you have given me a reality check that the process takes TIME and I must not feel discouraged :)
I’m going through this with my left ring finger, cut through two tendons. I am about 3 weeks post and I’m going through therapy now. I’m only 25 so hopefully being younger my injury will heal quickly. I was supposed to get married in the next few month, but that might be put on hold. I too don’t want to have another surgery, like who would want to go through all this AGAIN.
I totally understand where you're coming from about the second surgery. Nothing I would want to go through twice. So sorry to hear about your injury, especially your ring finger right before your wedding, bummer. You're young and I pray that you bounce back fast. Don't let it get you down. The emotional part about this is the toughest part but that will heal with time. Good luck and congrats on your soon to be marriage.
Thanks for the update its hard to find information about this injury.
You're welcome. I had trouble finding info too and that's why I made these posts. It's helpful for others to see what they can reasonably expect.
Hey Mike, I fully severed a flexor tendon and partially severed a nerve in my left thumb back in June of 2014. Got the tendon repair surgery, went to physical therapy for about 4 months, couldn't afford it anymore so I stopped, kept up with doing exercises and moving it around at home, but it's still in rough shape 6 years later. I've gotten more used to it by now and have adjusted every day actions to suit my thumb's limitations, but I feel like I have an "adhesion", where the tendon has healed to the scar tissue from the sheath. I think there's surgical intervention that can fix it, but I'm good on that, not an experience I look forward to dealing with again. I have grip strength in my thumb, just no range of motion, it's super stiff and bound up feeling, always wants to crack, gets tired very easily, I only have about 20% of the range of motion I had prior to the injury I'd say, which is better than 0% don't get me wrong, but it's still super frustrating at times. It's very eye opening how a small injury to your hand can have permanent life altering consequences. Really shows how fragile we are. Be safe brother
Mine was from glass too BTW.
Your injury and the way you describe the feeling 6 years later is exactly the same as my experience so far. So, not much to look forward too, lol. I thought so.
i'm going to kill myself.
Hey Mike,
I am not sure what happened as I just got to your channel, but I just had one of my worst appointments with a plastic surgeon that advised me that can "borrow" tendon from the inner side of my pinky so that the top movement is completted.
I was also suggested to have borrowed one of the tendons from the wrist (we have two general there) and the one as per the surgeon is not useful and was used when were monkeys to climb trees.
I know there are technologies these days that can use special nonobstructive techniques to reconstruct your tendon but it won't happen in North America (most likely) as it is a technology and approach used in Europe.
Me, I am flying back to my home country in Europe (Bulgaria) where doctors assured me of my full recovery in less than a month (excluding the healing time, but having fixed all my pinky and ring finger movements as my cut got to the inner finger side nerves and one of the tendons.).
Think about it, check with surgeons from Europe (any country would do unless you did already) and may God help you through your full movement recovery...
I really appreciate all the info. This injury was 5 years ago and it’s all healed up now. The surgery didn’t work well and the finger still doesn’t fully function but I’m use to it now.
Torn flexor and tendons in my pinky, ring and middle finger, thank you for the motivation 👍🏾
Man, I'm so sorry to hear that. It's definitely a mental battle and you got it much worse than I did. Keep your head up. How did you do this?
Mike Kincaid ha crazy story actually, I was sleeping with some guys girlfriend and he came home and caught me sleep in the bed with her, yanks me outta bed I noticed to knife in his hand and grabbed the blade, ran outta there in my boxers, nerve damage in my right palm (thumb) torn tendons in my left hand, least I’m not dead right😅😅
I have surgery today & came across this video., thank youuuuu so much 💙
You’re welcome. Good luck with surgery.
I tore my flexor tendon in my right ring finger in high school gym class. Stupid finger stuck out at a 45 degree angle. Played golf competitively so it was really painful trying to play with it. A hand specialist had me wrap it up with flex tape when that stuff was still a pretty new thing, and I also had to do a lot of hand exercises with putty. It healed in about 9 months and I never had to get surgery. That was over 12 years ago and I havent felt any pain in that finger in over 11 years. It's straight as an arrow now and looks perfectly normal. Guess I can consider myself pretty lucky.
You must not have completely severed the tendon or you would have needed surgery. As soon as it's severed, it retracts back into the finger or hand and there is no way it will heal on it's own because the 2 ends aren't touching. I only wish I had just tore it a little, I wouldn't have had to go through all this.
Exact injury happened to me 3 weeks ago. I had the surgery one week ago. My heart is broken, as I have been playing guitar for 40 years. This video helps. Thanks but ...man am I struggling.
I know right where you’re at emotionally. Wish I could say something to take that away but you just have to go through it. Try to slow down, get alone and quiet outdoors and just stare at nature, let the sun shine on you and feel the breeze and realize that none of it matters. 100 years from now we’ll all be dead and none of this will matter to anyone. So just breathe and realize that life is constantly changing. There are good times and bad. This is a bad time for you but you can use it as a period of discovery and growth. This will pass. Acceptance was what finally saved me from the anguish. Go chill and watch the movie “The Dawn Wall”. You’ll know why I told you to watch it once you see it. You’ll play guitar again if you want to. Good luck and you’re not alone.
@@MikeKincaid79 thanks bro.
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. I have a similar situation with my finger and yes my emotional part is a lot harder to overcome than the injury it self…. Watching you being such a vibrant person, I am encouraged to go on any way.
It will be an adjustment but you'll be fine. Time will heal the physical and the mental.
I'm currently dealing with stage 4 trigger finger on my dominant hand middle finger. (It was completely locked in flexion before being extended under local anesthesia.) I'm told by an orthopedist that the treatment is a small procedure to cut the tendon sheath to allow movement with the scarred tendon.
I'm on a quest to heal it through physical therapy to avoid surgical intervention. It is indeed incredibly frustrating to not be able to use your fingers for basic things. Life marches on whether we are healthy/capable or not. When it's a "small" injury people expect you to still carry on as usual despite the inability to do so. Even I want to carry on as usual! But even more frustrating when the others have the expectation and you know it just isn't entirely possible.
Even when I went into the doctors ' offices to have it caref for, they handed me paperwork to fill out knowing that I didn't have anyone else present to help me! 🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
You hit the nail on the head. It’s a tough situation and can feel very lonely at times but there are others of us out there. You’ll get through this and it’ll make you stronger.
This is exactly my pinky, but can‘t move my DIP actually to. I had a motocross injury in december •22. Doc wants to do a tenolysis, but I thinkt I don‘t want to go through this anymore. 2 osteosynthesis surgery are enought. The scar tissues are heavy. Your video gave me hope to live without another surgery. Sorry for my english, I‘m german.
It's definitely a tough injury. I'm glad the videos are helpful in making your decision. It's a tough decision to make, as we don't know the outcome until it's done. More surgery equals more money, more time off work, more scar tissue, more pain. Maybe in the end it's worth it, but we don't know until it's done. Maybe in the end, it's not. If you have learned to live with what you have, my vote is to leave it alone. But, that's your decision that you have to make with your doctor. Good luck and God bless.
Hi mike thanks for all this videos. I literally watched every day and i liked the way you overcome your injury. Your videos give me the strength and hope that I never get from anyone. Mike , i had a injury on my right hand middle finger. The tip of my finger got sliced and it cut the tendon. After that I feel like i have loose my finger. The damage place had a new skin and the skin become so sensitive. Lots of scar tissue. Finger becomes less power. I can’t do anything since 3 months past. Cant even hold the glass of water with it. Barley do nothing with this hand. It was so emotional and frustrating part of my like. I’m 30 years old. It feels like that the end of the world. I’m done with it.
I Just wondering from your surgery how you cope with everything from 3 months to one year. Because this is the most important part. How you manage and how the straggling point you overcome. If you Just share with me few words it will be great full .
Thanks again mike. For you so many people get some hope in their life.
The first 3 months is the most critical. After 3 months, the injury is healed about as much as it will be and you are stuck with what you have unless you have another surgery. The hardest part to deal with is the emotional part but the only thing that will heal that is time. It does get better with time. After 3 months I started lifting weights again and using my hand as much as I could so I could slowly build strength back. I just tried to forget about the finger and get on with my life and eventually I build more strength in the hand and got use to it. I'm reminded of it every day because it's much different now but I'm very use to it now and it bothers me less as time goes by.
Severed my right pinky profundus ligamemt 4 days ago, right in the middle joint crease. Had surgery 48hrs ago Just starting to feel physically better.
Your'e right that the worst part of this is psychological. It was such a small ( yet deep) cut. Almost no blood or pain, but i couldn't use it the way my brain was used to. I keep having mental flashes of that tendon floating around in my hand, and the moment where i cut it, and what it looked like. Im wondering when ill be able to pick my son up normally again.
This really sucks, but I'm glad that the recovery stories are promising.
Sorry to hear about your injury. You’ll be fine and life will go on. You’ll be picking your son up before you know it. My jacked up finger doesn’t prevent me from doing anything I use to do. It’s all psychological. Take the time to slow down and reflect on life. Also, go watch the documentary “The Dawn Wall”. You’ll know why about half way through. Keep your head up and good luck.
Going through this with my middle finger extender tendon. It’s been a pain. Going through the healing process after the surgery.
It's a frustrating process but keep your head up. Your finger will likely never be the same again but your mind will adjust.
i cut the same finger on my right hand 7 weeks ago and i had flexor tendon repair with graft,and neuroplasty of digital nerve.my pip(top part of finger) is numb and when i massaging the scar i get electric shock and cant make a fest .i cant pick up a cup of coffee just started to brush my teeth with same hand .im self employed and need my both hand to do the work ,this is emotionally draining and frustrating .i need second surgery to repair digital nerve.
I'm sorry to hear about your injury. It is really tough emotionally but that will heal with time. By about the 12 week point, I was able to use my hand for anything and it took a few more weeks to get my dexterity back. The hardest part during the first winter was how cold the scar tissue would get. It gets really hard and then it's tough to bend the finger. The second year isn't as bad and it gets easier to deal with. I had that "electric shock" feeling too in the beginning but It eventually went away and I never had a second surgery. Hope that helps.
Climbed up a basketball hoop when I was 14. Felt a sharp pain as I dropped off the hoop and the mesh got stuck around my pinky. Parents said it was just a jam and didnt do anything about it. 14 years later I'm in surgical residency and I've just gotten use to being a pinky down. I've had lots of offers to fix it, but honestly I just dont care enough. You get use to it. Its never impeded cutting or important tasks. However, ive closed quite a few doors on it.
Thanks for the 14 year report, Drew. I'm just about at the point of closing the final door on this one. I'm pretty use to it now and don't want to go through all that again. Still frustrating at times but I'm sure I'll get more use to it each year. Good luck in residency.
This EXACT thing just happened to me a few days ago..
Thank you. This video help very much. Im just a little nervous and worry seeing my hand looks creepy becous of to much damage and stitches.😱
The hardest part is the mental acceptance. You will have to come to terms with the fact that your fingers will never be the same again and may look "creepy". There's nothing we can do to change the past but we can learn how to move forward and accept our new situation. It's tough to do. When I finally just let go and accepted that this was it, this was the new me, and I was going to be buried with this "creepy" finger, I felt so much better. It still bothers me from time to time but not like it did in the beginning. I wish you the best of luck and keep your head up.
Again thank you sir. Yes you sed it what im looking for. " mental acceptance" thank you. i will do what you sed.❤
Dang glass window...Nice to hear you overcame the difficulty and feel much much better. Time will heal everything. Be safe bro.
Thanks
I cut two flexor tendons February, had a operation two days later. Few months in it ruptured, last Tuesday I had my second operation and now got to wait three months to have another one. Luckily I haven't let it get to me, I'm just happy it wasn't my thumb or index finger and this is just another hurdle i'll have to overcome. What don't kill you will make you stronger lol
Im so happy i came a cross this video! I am about 5 weeks after my surgery and im having the same problem you have, this tip of my finger is like its dead, i cut through both tendons and the nerve so i have no feeling in my pinky, but i can move it just about the same as yours, mine is still pretty swollen. I have intensive physio one a week to try to get the end of the finger to bend they have told me its more than likely stuck on scar tissue…. It has been the most stress full 5 weeks of my life ngl, not being able to do the little thing like you normally would is so frustrating. But like i said thank you so much for making this video its helped me alot!! :))
I'm sorry to hear about your injury but really glad the video helped you. You are describing exactly how I felt at that point in the recovery. It's more mentally tough than anything but our minds are very resilient. You will get use to it over time, although it doesn't seem like it now. Good luck and keep your chin up.
Thanks . Im just over a week in from my similar operation on my index finger . Cut through 2 tendons . X
Sorry to hear about your accident. It's definitely a tough injury to deal with. Good luck and I hope you heal up well.
Unfortunately I severed 2 tendons (little finger like you Mike) and ring finger I also sustained a heavy laceration on my middle finger but didn't severe the tendon but because they had to check to see if there actually was damaged it's now just like the little finger n ring finger, I'm just over 6 weeks now since surgery and I can tell its getting better every week I see the difference my hand/fingers are getting stronger.
I'll need a splint to straighten them back out but hopefully after the next 6 weeks I'll have a decent right hand again with a solid grip once more! I read a comment somebody was in the splint to straighten them back out. I would love to know how successful that went.
I'm looking forward to lifting things I use to an just having the confidence to do anything!
Absolute debilitating injury and the pain for a week after surgery was brutal! But you just get through it and march on!! 💪
This video has given me hope that this time next year my hand will be good enough to get on with life.
Thanks Mike for your update and also to the people that have shared their stories! First time I can relate to people that are or have been going through after their injury.
Hey Tommy, sorry to hear about your injury man. It sucks, that's for sure. Obviously the fingers will never be the same again but you will get use to it and you will be able to use your hand again, but it takes time to get use to. When I first went back to work, it was difficult because I use my hands and fingers a lot at work and need the dexterity in each finger. It was an adjustment but didn't take long before I didn't even notice it. It's more of a mental adjustment than anything. A year from now, you'll still have the memory of your injury and be constantly reminded by the fingers but you'll be way more use to it and life will go on as usual. I know that's hard to believe right now but it's true.
I'm a little over 2 years since my injury and the finger still wants to curl in constantly so I stretch it out as much as I can and still use the brace for the finger at night occasionally but nothing permanently stretches it out. You will most likely be dealing with that for the rest of your life. I got lucky in my injury. I also deeply lacerated the pinky, ring, and middle fingers. Each of them in 2 places, but was lucky that the tendon was only cut in the pinky. Good luck to you and just try to slow your mind down for the time being and realize that it will get better over time.
Wanna say thank you bro a lot I just had my surgery, today I was so scared n nervous I ruined my tendon n had nerve damage for two finger ring finger an pinky.
I’m glad the surgery is over
I tried to back out because I was so scared but my surgeon said no that I will have a disability for life an he will not allow me back to work but glad I overcame
Glad it’s over for you. I was pretty nervous too so I get it. Now it’s all about recovery and getting those fingers working again. Start active range of motion as soon as the doc lets you.
@@MikeKincaid79 thanks bro appreciate you n keep getting better as well
@@ZBTRE bro are completely healed now and you can use and move them fingers ?
@@Greenfieldfinances yea bro thank god both fingers moving properly still feels alil weird but I can bend n do the things I used to do
What material does the doctor use to connect the cut tendon? Doesn't that material disappear after a while? Do tendons repair themselves?
Injuries are part of life lessons. The important thing is whether we can spend our lives growing the next generation for the better.
Good point. Trying my best with these girls.
On Halloween, two of my dogs got into a really bad fight. One was my 10 yo English pointer, the other was my nephew's dog. He lost his house and i took her in. I got between them to break them apart, and ellie accidentally got my pinky with her back teeth. I knew immediately it was broken. The bones between the top joint and middle were all completely severed, and the knuckle was upside down. Surgeon put in a plate, 6 screws, and 2 pins in that middle space of my pinky. ! The pain is immense, still. I can't feel the top, i can't move anything. He's going to remove the hardware when the bones all heal. I really dread it. My pinky is scared from top to bottom. The recovery was so painful. Now, There's so much scar tissue. It's really awful.... watching your updates gives me a little hope. I'm not gonna lie though, I'm really stressing over the next surgery.
Sorry to hear about your accident. Going through something like this really sucks. The best thing you can do is keep your eyes set on a later date when it will all be healed up. It will probably never be the same again but your mind will get use to it in time. Good luck with the healing and I pray your next surgery goes quickly and successfully.
I injured my left index in the same way, I was impatient trying to break my dogs up! Fortunately I did not break any bones but the nerve, ligament and flexor tendons were severed, I’m 8 weeks since my surgery and I know I’ll by able to get back to work in a couple more months but not sure if my guitar playing will ever be the same, so my hart goes out to!!
Great video! I’m 7 weeks post-op with same injury and physical therapy is helping a lot!! Hopefully by next year I can get back to normal activities!
It won't take a year. I was back to lifting weights and using my hand normally at about 12 weeks.
@@MikeKincaid79 ahh I see even better thanks! 💛
This is my first week, tendons were severed in the middle of my hand for my middle finger and pinky. Just got pretty emotional for the first time. This video helped me so much man. Thank you for that.
It's definitely a mental and emotional process. Good luck with your recovery and I hope you regain most of your dexterity.
Severed flexor tendon repair then re repair after they ruptured (middle and ring finger). About 2 months ago as well, hope you’re recovering well!
Hi Mike! Thanks for sharing, what about the numbness ? completely regain your sensation?
Nope, it's still quite numb on the inside of the finger where the original numbness was. I have regained some feeling but not all. I'm pretty use to it now.
Sir my finger mallet 2 year ago now what are doing
I cut my pinky (right across in the middle) with a knife when I was 8 and had a tendon repair surgery. The outcome was the same as you, the top joint of the pinky was “dead” and unable to move. Everything was well, able to play piano, contact sport etc. Now I’m 24 and just a month ago the same tendon ruptured again and it sucks. Doctor says that it’s because the scar tissue stuck the tendon to the bone (that’s why the top joint doesn’t move) it strains the lower part of the tendon (near the middle joint) so it tore again:(
I'm so sorry to hear that. Are you going to have surgery? I think if mine ruptured again, I'd just tell them to leave it alone. It doesn't work anyway and I'm use to it now. It merely serves as a cup holder, lol.
@@MikeKincaid79 yep I just had surgery about less than a month ago, the rupture was so bad that one end of the tendon stayed at the top joint and the other end ended up 11cm below my wrist so the surgical scar is super long haha. They used a cadaver tendon instead cause it was too damaged.
When it ruptured the pain was unbearable, and my whole hand froze in place, unable to move even a single inch. So I had no choice but to go through surgery. I think if it ruptures, repair via surgery is necessary because a cut is a clean cut across but ruptures will cause fraying etc :(
I severed the nerve in my right pinkie and thought I'd died! I got the nerve reattached through surgery but am seeing a large scar forming like a keloid scar. As much as it hurts to massage it, I'm seeing a bit more softening of the scar. Your video was very helpful. My injury was 2 months ago, and I'm starting to feel sensation again I'm my finger. However, I did have almost electrifying sensations if my finger touch anything. Like hitting your funny bone! Thanks again!
Glad you’re healing up. These finger injuries are tough to go through.
I'm on week four post my surgery. I think I needed to see this, so thank you - I'm interested to know, though, when did you resume gym after your surgery?
I had surgery on July 12th and started lifting again on September 5th. From there it took about a month to get my strength back up but I waited for about 6 months to start deadlifting again.
@@MikeKincaid79 that's a whole 3 months, and just the thought of it is so... 😔. Your recovery, however, a huge motivation - so thanks again!
That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. You got off relatively easy to learn that lesson. The sands of time don't flow UP the hourglass.
Very true. I actually sliced 3 fingers pretty deep and I thank God the other 2 didn't hit the tendon. That would have been a real mess.
A pocket knife folded over my pinky finger and severed one tendon all the way and another 25% that was about 90 days ago, I'm very lucky I have full movement and for people with similar injuries, listen to physical therapists and doctor but it will get better, good lucky, ohh and make sure the you work on breakingdown the scar tissue over time
dude thank you. im 5 weeks in and miserable.
I'm sorry to hear about your injury. It will get better. I was pretty miserable about it at the 5 week point. Try to take a deep breath and do some soul searching about life during this time. Slow down and think about how you want your future to look. Trust me, you'll come out on the other end and it will be a thing of the past eventually.
Yeah I've been taking it easy and trying to do just that. Its hard but taking it day by day with home PT helps keep me goal oriented. Great advice.
I just had 2 tendons and a nerve cut on index finger 5 days ago and I haven’t had my surgery yet. Finding out new things I can no longer do everyday is mentally draining
@@Cjaiih Make sure you do all the PT and massage after you get your cast off it will make a noticeable difference. Buy vitamin C too as it helps rebuild tissue. Its tough but we can do this!
I'm here with you guys. I cut my pinky March 12th on a garage door. More like a major rip. It was bad. Severed inside nerve and artery and cut flexor %90. I'm taking rehab very serious. Can't do much yet though. Today marks 3 weeks since surgery. Now I get to go harder on PT but I'm afraid my pinky will be just like the authors. Can't move my pinky end. I'm afraid its my new normal. Good luck my fellow finger flunkies.
I would say that you were so lucky!!! Glad everything turned out manageable!!!
Me too!
Cut the tendon in my primary use thumb. My thumb is like your pinky even after using braces to try and straighten it out. I’ve gotten used to it after a few years but I found out my limitations while rock climbing. I’m so thankful for dr.Lex Allen who gave me use of my thumb again. I do have lots of scar tissue but Atleast I have use of it
That's good to hear. The thumb is a bad one to damage like that, as you know.
Thanks I’m going in next week to get mine fixed!
Good luck Bonnie!
Man, I fractured my pinky in the proximal phalanx area a year ago and the surgeon never fixed it at all! Didn’t realign it or even give me a splint. Just said you should buddy tape it!. It healed with a malrotation and malunion. I’ve still been debating after a year to do surgery as it’s all healed now. What sucks is I’m a guitar player. And it’s a lot more difficult to play the guitar. Most other surgeons just advised me it’s to much of a risk to go in there and resaw through it and pin it in the proper position. Wish I had a gazing ball to see if it would end up better or worse. I have decent mobility but man oh man it put me in the biggest suicidal depression of my life. Everyone thinks ohhh it’s just a pinky. But the pinky is so important for guitar. Sucks so badly. My finger has a hyper extension. So my grip is off and it feels so whack
My best advice. DO NOT HAVE SURGERY! LOL. That's not a medical opinion, just my personal opinion from my own experience. I get it, it sucks, but what's done is done. Decide to move on and you will play guitar well again, even with a screwed up finger. Go watch the documentary "The Dawn Wall" and see if it doesn't give you the best motivation you've ever had. Good luck!
Massage all the time, move it in different directions, warm (mine was 40C) it when it gets hard dipping in the water for about 5minutes (that was required in my case). When you sleep, you might need to wrap it (bandage) bending for hours until you will feel numb, by that time you can take it out. Nothing goes back to normal, but at least you can use that hand again.
could you explain what you mean by wrapping it when you sleep please?
@@tunein6765 you can use either a towel, or bandage, or a piece of cloth, or anything that will help bend the deformed part of the hand (finger)... mind is hand and was almost not able to bend all the fingers. And per the advice of my therapists, I need to grip my hand as much as I can and wrap it so it won't open right away. As if forcing to bend. Sorry if I did not explain well, but hope you got the idea now. Stay safe.
@@shaurishauri7786 Thanks for getting back to me. My pinky looks pretty much identical to his so your advice is appreciated