The recipient of the nation's second hand transplant is continuing to gain function in the new left hand he received less than a month ago.
Thirty-six-year-old Jerry Fisher of Jackson, Michigan, received his new hand on February 16 and 17 at Jewish Hospital in Louisville.
"He continues to remain on course gaining more movement in the hand; and the skin, muscles, and tendons are healing well. Jerry is doing more wrist motions and more repetitions in the movement of his new hand during therapy sessions," said Warren C. Breidenbach, MD, the lead hand surgeon during the 13-hour operation.
"Part of Jerry's new therapy activities include placing the arm in a position to make the muscles work harder such as placing the arm in a position to make the wrist move against gravity," said physical therapist Laurie Newsome in a March 9 statement. "We also massage the arm and hand to control swelling and to prevent adherence in the healing muscles and tendons."
Therapists anticipate removing Mr. Fisher's elbow brace in mid March and fitting his hand in a "hand-based anti-claw" brace designed to prevent contracture of the fingers into a poor position. For a while, both braces will be used alternately.
Jewish Hospital also reported that the latest biopsy from Mr. Fisher's hand showed no signs of rejection. Mr. Fisher plans to live in the Louisville area for three months so his hand can be monitored and he can continue his hand therapy sessions.
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See www.handtransplant.com for photographs and statements on Mr. Fisher's operation.
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