Big Toe Makes a Pretty Good Replacement Thumb for This British Man
- Posted on December 6, 2011 at 12:26pm by
Liz Klimas
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For James Byrne, 29, who makes a livelihood as a paver and plant operator in the United Kingdom, having a thumb is vital for maintaining ease of every day operations. But he lost this valuable digit in December 2010 while sawing a piece of wood, according to The Telegraph.
Doctors tried to sew on the severed thumb, using leeches to coax blood flow, but the technique didn’t work. Plan B? Give his big toe a new purpose as a replacement thumb. Two months after the surgery, Byrne is showing off his new digit, which he proudly nicknamed Toby, saying it is functioning quite well.
(Photo: SWNS via The Telegraph)
Watch Bryne describe his new thumb:
The Telegraph has more on the operation and recovery:
Although removing one of his toes would affect his balance in the short term, Mr. Byrne decided with doctors that the toe would be more useful on his hand because his thumb had been his dominant digit.
Since the surgery at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, in September, he has limited movement in the new digit but is expected to regain full use of it after intense physiotherapy.
He will later have an operation to remove a piece of wire fusing the bones together.
“I never thought it would work but the surgical teams and nurses have done such a fantastic job. The care has been amazing,” he said.
“I can’t bend it yet but I hope to be able to do so soon. It rotates and I can give it a good wiggle.
(Photo via Daily Mail)
The Telegraph reports that the eight-hour operation required two teams of surgeons — one operating on his foot, the other on his hand. The plastic surgeon described the procedure as complex and rare since connecting bones, nerves, tendons and ligaments were involved. The Daily Mail reports that after Bryne relearns how to balance without his toe, he should be able to run and walk normally.
We recently reported another strange case of replacement hand-parts wherein a Chinese man was regrowing his severed fingertip on his stomach.
[H/T Gizmodo]
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dudeman4
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 6:35pmWhy not different toe?
Report Post »TexBork
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 5:48pmI give this article two toes up!
Report Post »branch manager
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:44pmI wonder if he will get athelets hand?
Report Post »Arshloch
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:17pmThe only problem is when ever you try to eat a donut it smells like dirty feet.
Report Post »Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:40pmGuess he’ll not be able to toe the line nor thumb his nose now!
Report Post »mmcdonald628
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:48pmDid anyone else think of Seinfeld when they read this?
Report Post »Jim
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 8:06amI give this one thumb and one toe up!
Report Post »walleye01
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 6:45amWell said Greg! There has been one brief mention that I caught on Fox but nothing more has been said, this is extremely concerning.
Report Post »Greg
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:32amInteresting story, not really anything new though, I personally know at least two people who have had this done, both of them more than 20 years ago, but it is still interesting. However, please stop running stories like this at the expense of those we really need to know about. For example, I have heard the team mention a bill that has recently been passed by the senate that I have not seen mentioned here. Maybe I am over looking them but they seem like big enough deals that they should have top billing so I should not miss them. We love the Blaze and everyone involved with Mercury Arts but please. Is the thumb story really more important than our Senate passing laws that may make it legal to arrest US citizens outside of the law? Something about the homeland being considered a battleground or a war zone permitting the detainment of US citizens under war acts?
Report Post »Resist We Much
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:40pmAs much as I would miss my thumb, I sure wouldn’t sacrifice a big toe to have a “kind of useful” thumb. Plus, what if the operation didn‘t go well and the thumb couldn’t be successfully attached?! I think this guy is a fool… but whatever… Lol!
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:32pmJames Byrd.PROOF that a bird on the foot is better in the hand.Congratulations Toby!:)
Report Post »psadie
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:23pmUh, your big toe gives you balance.
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