Ten months later, the recipient of the nation's first hand transplant can use his new hand to perform everyday functions such as tying his shoes, turning doorknobs, and opening his car door.
Matthew David Scott of Absecon, N.J., received his new hand at Jewish Hospital in Louisville in January, 13 years after he lost it in a firecracker accident.
"This Thanksgiving, which is exactly ten months to the day of my surgery, I am most thankful for the courage and generosity of the donor family. It was their compassion that made this unbelievable gift possible," Mr. Scott said in a statement posted at www.handtransplant.com.
"Matt has made excellent progress with his hand transplant. Both range of motion, grip, and sensation have partially returned sufficiently to allow good hand function," said lead hand surgeon Warren Breidenbach, MD. "Considering that many people felt his hand would reject within weeks, Matt has done well, and his progress is good."
Since leaving Louisville in the spring, Mr. Scott has continued to receive therapy and be monitored by health care teams near his home. He is expected to return to Louisville in about a month for further follow-up, which will include biopsies and nerve conduction studies.
For Your Information:
The surgical team at Jewish Hospital continues to seek candidates for hand transplants.
http://www.handtransplant.com/procedure/criteria.shtml
Please be aware that medical advice, diagnoses and physician references cannot be obtained from this site.