Home > Hand/Arm Transplant > Patient Experiences
Patient Experiences
Hearing about other recipients’ experiences can help people understand what is and is not possible with hand/arm transplantation. For example:
A 68-year-old man received a double hand transplant at the mid-forearm level:
At around 3 months, he was able to put on a shirt and sweep the floor.
At around 6 months, he was able to do daily activities like unlocking his leg prosthesis with his fingers and opening a bottle of pain medication.
At around 9 months, he was able to drive, use a computer, and play catch with his grandchildren.
Between 1 to 3.5 years, he was able to do many activities independently, such as swimming, playing Frisbee, playing piano, and other activities of daily life.¹
A 51-year-old man received a single hand transplant, lower on the forearm:
At 6 years post-transplant, he was able to pick up ball bearings less than ¼ inches in diameter.
At 7 years post-transplant, he was able to tie shoelaces, write, throw a ball, pick up checkers, and dress himself.
He scored high on functional scoring tools, which remained constant from 6 to 8 years post-transplant.²
A 65-year-old man received a right hand transplant at the wrist level:
At 3 months post-transplant, he was able to actively coordinate some wrist and finger flexion.
At 6 months, he had full finger extension.
At 2 years post-transplant, he was able to independently dress himself, eat, write, tend to personal hygiene, and manage the attachment of his prosthetic legs.³
A 41-year-old man received a left hand transplant at the forearm level:
At 9 years post-transplant, he was able to pick-up and grip objects, which allowed him to throw and catch a ball, turn pages, unscrew a bottle cap, and complete activities of daily living.
Also, by the 9 year mark, he was able to perform manual labor, actively working in gutter installation.⁴
Remember: Everyone is different. There is no guarantee that hand functions will return after surgery.
Want to Read About Different Recipients’ Experiences?
Click Below for More Videos
Videos of Hand/Arm Transplant Recipients and People with Limb Loss
Mr. Lund, bilateral upper limb transplant recipient (5 years after transplantation), talks about the functions he hopes to regain.
Mr. Pollock, a bilateral, upper limb transplant recipient (11 ½ years after transplantation), talks about what his transplants enable him to do.
Mr. Pollock, a bilateral, upper limb transplant recipient (11 ½ years after transplantation), shows what his transplanted limbs look like and how they are connected to his native limbs.
Mr. Lund, bilateral upper limb transplant recipient (5 years after transplantation), describes sensations that he has felt in his hands/arms.
Mr. Pollock, a bilateral, upper limb transplant recipient (11 ½ years after transplantation), explains how his expectations for his hand transplants have been met.
Mr. Lund, bilateral upper limb transplant recipient (5 years after transplantation), shows his range of arm motion.
Mr. Pollock, a bilateral, upper limb transplant recipient (11 ½ years after transplantation), talks about his positive experiences from having hand transplants.
References
Sources
Singh M, Sisk G, Carty M, et al. Functional Outcomes after Bilateral Hand Transplantation: A 3.5-Year Comprehensive Follow-up. Plast Reconstr Surg 2016;137(1):185-189.
Breidenbach WC, Gonzales NR, Kaufman CL, et al. Outcomes of the First 2 American Hand Transplants at 8 and 6 Years Posttransplant. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2008;33(7):1039-1047.
Dwyer KM, Webb AR, Furniss HS, et al. First Hand Transplant Procedure in Australia: Outcome at 2 Years. Medical Journal of Australia 2013;199(4):285-287.
Kaufman CL, Breidenbach W. World Experience After More Than a Decade of Clinical Hand Transplantation: Update from the Louisville Hand Transplant Program. Hand Clinics. 2011;27(4):417-421.