Patient Story: Andrew

‹ BACK TO ALL POSTS

October 25, 2024

with Plastic + Hand Surgical Associates

“In my flooring job at A@R Flooring, I run the table saw and make cuts that go close to the walls or cut around the walls or doors,” Andrew says. “On this day, I don’t know if I took my eyes off the saw for a second, but my hand slipped, and I think I tried to catch the board.”

He felt a quick nick and looked down. His index and middle fingers were dangling.

“I instantly thought that my fingers were gone, I really did,” recalls Andrew. “My fears started coming in. How can I do my job without these fingers? How will I do activities with my young daughters as they grow up? I’m also a big billiards person, and so many thoughts ran through my mind as I stared at my bloody hand.”

Soon after his injury, Andrew was at Plastic + Hand Surgical Associates in Portland, Maine.

Could surgery save his hand?

“I had a lot of nerve damage, and some of the tendons were pretty damaged,” Andrew says. “I was in surgery with Dr. Kirkham and Dr. Turko for about four hours.”

After surgery, it was time to recover.

“I was all wrapped up and couldn’t feel anything initially,” Andrew recalls. “When I got home, I had to keep my hand elevated and rest for a week. I’m not the type of person who likes to sit around, and I’m stubborn, so that week was pretty tough.”

Soon, he returned to Plastic + Hand for his first onsite occupational therapy appointment with Dustin Blackington, OTR/L.

“We took the dressings off, and I instantly thought this looks ten times better than I expected based on that photo, and probably about five times better than the operative note looked,” Dustin says. “I knew we had a lot of work ahead of us, but I thought we were actually ahead.”

Occupational therapy got him back to work.

The recovery process began with small exercises and stretching.

“By week three, we were massaging the joints, using the ultrasound machine, and getting my hands used to bending,” Andrew recalls. “Then it was time to start more exercises, which involved homework. I wasn’t doing flooring at this time but was delivering for DoorDash, so I’d do my exercises in the car between deliveries. I saw progress each week.”

After several weeks of occupational therapy, Dustin decided it was time to tackle Andrew’s goal of returning to work.

“Let’s try to get that nail gun back in your hands and use the saw again,” Dustin recalls saying. “Getting comfortable with that part again is crucial. The mental aspect is huge for any serious injury, so we started slowly.”

Andrew understood the importance of this step.

“I install flooring in homes across the state,” he says. “I’m constantly using a nail gun, bent down on the floor with a hammer and nails, and working with power tools. It’s a very strenuous job, so I took Dustin’s advice to ease back into it with small jobs, working a couple of hours at a time and going slow.”

Andrew is thankful for his team.

Three months after his injury, Andrew was back at work.

“I can hold my flooring gun without any issue. I have full use of my hand, and it’s been phenomenal,” Andrew says. “I was fortunate to have Dustin as my OT. He does whatever he can to make you feel comfortable, pushing and motivating you every step of the way.”

Dustin emphasizes that this recovery was a team effort.

“To give you the best I can, it takes both parties,” Dustin explains. “I’m giving you my all, but Andrew’s outcome was so successful that he also went all in. Both of us giving it our all was the perfect equation.”

Today, Andrew is deeply thankful.

“The team at Plastic + Hand literally saved my hand,” Andrew says. “Without them, I wouldn’t be living my life the way I am or doing the job I love. I’m beyond grateful.”

You’re in good hands here.

We live our lives through our hands, and this is where our work begins.

Trusted by Maine Health and Mercy Hospital for nearly 40 years, the Maine Hand Center at Plastic + Hand is the most skilled surgical team that offers a comprehensive range of advanced procedures and treatments to address various hand conditions. Hand surgery procedures treat traumatic and post-injury problems, carpal tunnel, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, ganglion cysts, and congenital abnormalities.

We also have onsite occupational therapy to prevent further injury, decrease pain, and maximize function. With customized treatment plans that bring you from diagnosis to recovery, we can help.

Please have your doctor reach out to us to start the process today. They can fax your referral to our office at 207-879-1646 or call us at 207-775-3446 with questions.