United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Lori,
I would get it fixed and live with the splint for 6 weeks. My middle finger on my right hand has the end joing bent only mine is not due to that kind of injury. I have what is known as a swan neck deformity possibly due to a tendon transfer I had when I was 6. That or I am just lucky I guess.

But anyway, if your finger being injured is affecting your dexterity and pain then I would totally suggest getting it fixed! Being the OT student that I am I also suggest it because later it could cause you a fair amount of pain.

Not having a traumatic injury I cant say for sure how this affects you but if it were me I would have to do the repair and splinting. If it were my left arm (my non injured arm) I would have a lot of hassle from the repair but I need my left hand! I cant stand to lose it or I am screwed. If it were my right hand I could do with out the repair but would probably have it fixed any way. Wouldnt want it to bite me in the butt later.

Good luck with you decision!
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

Lori,
If the dr. described the splint to you, could you describe it to me? I am having a hard time seeing why they wouldnt be able to just isolate that finger making the splint not so annoying. For sure do some research on it, I am almost certain that leaving it like that would cause pain later. Since mine is in my injured hand I have less sensation so mine doesnt bother me, but having it in my left hand would drive me insane.

Which tendon was it again? Extensor tendon? spacing right now.

Amy

You know, I had to reread this several times. My take on it, doing things with one hand is hassel enough. Doing things with one injured hand for the rest of your life will really limit you. My opinion, put in a difficult 6wks and get that finger fixed so that it is as close to 100% as you can get it.

I have thought (morbidly) about "what if I lose my fingers on my good hand?" I only think that because I constantly work with tools/powertools and in the garage. An accident could easily happen, let's just be realistic here.

My fingers are good. If they were to be hurt, I'd do everything in my power, incliding a little temporary long-suffering in order to get them back so I cna have hte rest of my life. I know it would be a huge "inconvenuience" and a real crimp in my schedule and life. But to me that seems like nothing compared to a lifetime of pain and less ability. But that's just my take.

I hope I'm not sounding insenstive, I don't mean to be. What I do mean it to sound like is a little hard-nosed stubborn determination to put in whgatever it takes to get ot right again. It seems like a little less price to pay than a lifetime worth of less.

Take care.