My finger "surgery" - Walt

Tuff · Jan 10, 2000

Just got back from the orthopaedic office, and there's not much to tell. I didn't get it done after all. Every time I tried to find the price of what this might cost, all I was getting for answers was "just get it done, we'll figure it out after." The estimate was close to $2000 thou, and I just didn't have it. The monthly rate changed and setting a rate wasn't happening, so I said ferget it.
This will be cutting back my knife usage time big time. Could switch to lefty if I wanted, but I think i'll just be looking at folders from now on. Already have plans to give the Project I to a friend of mine, he'll like it and not chop himself up with it like me hopefully. Kinda funny how I wanted one of those for a while, and get one, and it put a killing on me. I'm thinking maybe it was done because I should concentrate on college more or something. Who knows?
Thanks for the advice Walt, it helped. I still have 3 fingers left, I should manage

Snoopy · Jan 10, 2000

I was wondering how it went, thanks for the update. I am very sorry to hear you are not getting it fixed - not sure I agree with your decision but do understand the money issue. Too bad there aren't other options out there

I noticed you only listed 3 good fingers, what is up with the fourth?

David

stjames · Jan 10, 2000

That is a shame. You shouldn't have to choose between your money and your health in the most Prosperous Nation in History.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA

JoHnYKwSt · Jan 10, 2000

Sorry to hear about this Tuff. It could have happened to anyone. Two thousand dollars sure is a lot of money. After reading about your misfortune I'm actually more careful with my knives.

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Johnny
[]xxxxxx[]=============>

Normark · Jan 10, 2000

Tuff...

Don't @$&* around with it! Get it done and worry about it afterwards!
Pay it off $20.00 a month if you have to..
This is NOT something to screw with Tuff!!!

Just do it!!!

Eric...

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

ROBB · Jan 10, 2000

Normark is right.Get it done and worry about the payments later.They're not going to take the finger back.Take it from someone who lost close to 4 fingers.I would pay $10,000 for another good finger

MICKEY77 · Jan 10, 2000

Pay no attention to these HIPPOCRITES

seriously it happened to me a couple of months ago, everyone was givine me sooo much **** about it, that I almost went insane.

But, think about it, what will doctors do, they willstich it up and keep it immobalized..

All I did was ajoin the 2 ends together with butterfly bandaids (painfull... yes, but hey) then wrap it up with guaze and keep it immobalized and KEEP IT DRY IF ANYTHING, after awhile it will heal and you can type and do things normally.

ALSO REMEMBER to keep it stretched out because if it heals and you kept your finger bent, then you wont be able to fully stretch it out,

so.. just stretch it on a daily basis at night...

IT IS GONNA BE OK

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My Email is - Hero47@juno.com -

[This message has been edited by MICKEY77 (edited 01-10-2000).]

[This message has been edited by MICKEY77 (edited 01-10-2000).]

Walt Welch · Jan 10, 2000

Tuff's injury is to both flexor tendons. Flexor tendons operate with a great deal more force than do extensor tendons. Sometimes extensor tendons will heal with just immobilization, if it is the extensor tendon which flexes the joint just below the fingernail.

Flexor tendons will never heal on their own. Flexion is much more important than extension. Surgery is required in Tuff's case. Walter Welch MD

edwint · Jan 10, 2000

Go get it fixed, like someone else mentioned, they won't take the finger away from you after it's done.

I cut myself bad once, index finger on my non writing hand (palm side, in the middle of the '2nd segment') - the blade only stopped when it reached the bone.

That was almost 10 years ago, I had surgery done immidiately when I reached the hospital.

I've retained the full range of motion, and could moderately use the finger after some 8 mths, including a period where it was immobilised, and the rest w weekly physio.

To date, with regular exercise, it's only slighly weaker than my right hand. Doctors did a good job then, always treated knives with exceptional respect after that incident.

"I'd rather regret the things I have done, than the things I did not do" - just don't live by that literally.

[This message has been edited by edwint (edited 01-11-2000).]

Paracelsus · Jan 10, 2000

Mickey77, with all Due respect, have you read Tuffs threads previous to this one? He appears to have an injury to a flexor TENDON. That is like a string on a marrionette. IT WILL NOT HEAL on its own if it is fully severed. If he does not get it repaired, he will have a permanent loss of FUNCTION. That means that his finger will NEVER work properly again. It is NOT appropriate for you to compare your medical experience to his injury.

And Please be careful who you are calling Hypocrites. Everyone posting in this and Tuff's other threads obviously cares a great deal about him and wishes him well. Nobody is saying one thing and Doing another (a hypocrite)

Tuff, Go back and see if you can work out payment arrangements. It is really not possible for anyone to give you an exact price for the procedure. You are NOT getting the run around. Explain your finacial situation to the Doctor. Maybe he can help you figure out how to pay for it.Every surgery is different. Get that thing fixed! Do NOT delay any longer. Decide you want to get it fixed and Do it. Worry about the money After. Or you will live with your useless pinkie for the rest of your life.

Paracelsus, very concerned person

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 01-10-2000).]

MICKEY77 · Jan 10, 2000

OK TIME TO CLEAR THINGS UP
I was just joking havet you head that line from he MATRIX "py no attention to thes hippocites." that weasel says.

I WAS KIDDIN

but also I am an MDand Iunderstand that it is a flexor tedon, the same tendon that I cut, and that it does heal on is own ifyou keep it in contact with the othe side.

I hav read hi other poss and even have commented on this earlier...

AND i amstill standngnext to the side, that he should not get the surgery, a wste of money, my next door neighboor, ho isalo a doctor agrees withme on this one...

THANX AGAIN FOR THE INQUIRY

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My Email is - Hero47@juno.com -

[This message has been edited by MICKEY77 (edited 01-10-2000).]

Snoopy · Jan 10, 2000

Mickey77, although your typing does remind me of my last prescription slip, your advice seems a little risky...

David

Waxes Eloquent · Jan 10, 2000

Heaven forbid I should contradict a doctor, but I'll have to side with Paracelsus on this one.

I'd be too embarassed to list the litany of injuries I've received through the years, but I'm always glad I got the help I did.

In one case I didn't get help, thinking the procedure would be too expensive, and now my left leg doesn't work properly and there's nothing that can be done about it (I waited too long). I also thought that I could keep the tendons together without stitches (boy was I wrong). Ever since then I've kicked myself for not trying to arrange payment schedules or something.

I would hate to give up a lifetime of knife handling due to momentary poverty.

Matt

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Waxes Eloquent, Leader of the Terrible Ironic Horde and Sarcastic Brain Spewer

JH225 · Jan 10, 2000

Tuff,

Listen to what has been said here and get it fixed. You will be sorry that you didn't later on. As long as you pay a small portion of the bill every month, the doctor can not do anything but accept your payment.

Mickey77,

Not for nothing, but where do you come off telling a person to just stick a butterfly on it and it will heal? You state you are an MD, but your profile say's that you are a student. Even if you are a medical student, you definitely don't have the knowledge that Walt Welch MD has. He has been a E/R doctor for a long time and I would think that he knows what he is talking about.

You also commented in another thread about nerve damage, and you said that a doctor told you the feeling might eventually come back. If you were actually a doctor, you would have known the answer.

I am not trying to put you down, and I am also not trying to personally attack you (although you might take it that way), but I can't stand when people talk like they are experts and really have no clue.

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C.O.'s-"It takes balls to work behind the walls "

automantic · Jan 11, 2000

Mickey this is no joking matter Tuff REALLY needs to have this surgery done.

I know it cost alot, but think about it. I'd pay a dollar a day for 5 and a 1/2 years to be able to use my finger for the rest of my life.

Have the surgery tuff and 10 years from now you won't regret it. Heck you probably won't regret it 20 minutes after its done.

Later,
John

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Skeleton walks into a bar and and says "give me a beer and a mop."

[This message has been edited by automantic (edited 01-11-2000).]

automantic · Jan 11, 2000

Originally posted by Tuff:
I still have 3 fingers left, I should manage

Did I miss something? What happened to your other finger?

Later,
John

P.S. Sell that project one and add that cash to the money for your surgery.

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Skeleton walks into a bar and and says "give me a beer and a mop."

russ · Jan 11, 2000

not that you need another opinion, but... i think you are certifiable if you don't get the surgery. in my teen years i was stitched up a number of times.adult years...only about 3.i'm 38 now. total number of times stitched 20 and counting.i've been blessed,no tendon damage yet.i have become more proficient over the years.how is this argument?: how proficient do you hope to be for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE with limited use of that hand? i am with most of the other members. GET THE SURGERY!!! pay for it as best you can. some things you cannot put a value on.optimal use of what God gave you is one of them. concerned,russ

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mike draper · Jan 12, 2000

Hey Tuff,

I don't know you, or how old you are. But from a mothers point of view I would have to say, go get the surgery. You may be TUFF, but you don't have to go through life with limited use of your hand. There are enough challenges in life, you don't need another! The payment plan is for them, you pay what you can. Explain you financial position to them and they can give you discounts, The hostpital will do the same.
p.s. call out to the family, that's why you have them.. Ask them for a little help.
Don't mess with your hands, you need them!
Audra Draper (a concerned mother)
I am also a knife maker whom could not make it without all her fingers!

the4th · Jan 11, 2000

Get it fixed. .!

Ben E Hana · Jan 11, 2000

Tuff get it fixed....
Mickey77 I do not believe you are a doctor and your medical opinion is suspect.
Everyone else =good advice.
troy

My finger "surgery" - Walt

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