During the procedure, the surgeons joined arteries at the original thumb with the donor site to reestablish blood flow. Bone from the foot is stabilized onto the thumb bone and surgeons ensured the veins were adequately connected. The tendons that supported the thumb were also repaired and connected across the joints to improve range-of-motion.
Two days after the 13-hour procedure, the patient was able to move his new thumb slightly. Where his second toe had been removed, the team of physicians arranged his left foot so he had an equal amount of space between each toe.
In many cases, surgeons relocate the big toe to the hand, but this procedure causes a disproportionate thumb and has a negative impact on a person’s balance.
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