What should I look after following finger amputation surgery?
After surgery there are three main things to look after: swelling, pain and your wellbeing. Massage and compression are commonly used for swelling; pain may come from the wound or be phantom pain; and if you are struggling emotionally for a long time, professional support can help. Your doctor’s advice, based on how your wound is healing, always comes before anything here.
What changes after surgery?
Everyone recovers at a different pace. In this period it is common to have swelling, pain around the stitches and the affected area, and sensations from the finger that is no longer there. After a sudden accident, the mind can be shaken as much as the body. Many of our customers have been through this time, and we often hear about it in consultations.
| What to watch | Commonly used | Check beforehand |
|---|---|---|
| Swelling | Hand massage; compression bandage or tape | Whether the wound has fully healed; your hospital’s advice |
| Pain | Hospital care; advice on phantom pain | What kind of pain it is and how long it lasts |
| Wellbeing | Talking with family and friends; professional counselling | Whether the difficult feelings persist |
1. How is swelling managed?
Massage and compression are commonly used to reduce swelling. Wait to start massage until the stitched wound has fully healed and you have moved on to rehabilitation, and check with your doctor before you begin. Massaging a wound that has not healed can reopen it.
The hand massage often described in rehabilitation is outlined below. It is usually advised to work over the whole hand, not just around the lost finger.
- Fingers — stroke gently from the fingertip towards the palm with light pressure.
- Between thumb and index finger — press steadily to ease any knots.
- Between the bones on the back of the hand — press along the grooves from the fingers towards the wrist.
- The fleshy parts of the palm — press steadily to loosen them.
Adjust pressure and repetitions by how the stiffness eases, within the range your care team has advised.
Compression is usually handled by your hospital, using a compression bandage or tape. Follow their advice; continuing compression afterwards in the way you have been shown may help the affected area settle into shape.
2. What kinds of pain are there?
Pain after surgery generally falls into two types.
- Pain from the wound and stitches — this often eases gradually as the wound heals under hospital care.
- Phantom pain — pain felt where the missing finger used to be. It may fade over time, but it can also last, so if you notice it, it is worth raising with your doctor early on.
Why phantom pain happens, and the idea behind the mirror box used in rehabilitation, are covered in a separate journal article.
3. How do I look after my wellbeing?
Losing a finger changes more than the body: it can affect your work, daily life and how you feel meeting people. Some people adapt quickly; others feel a deep sense of loss and go through a long spell of withdrawal or low mood.
If that feeling persists, do not put off seeing a mental health professional. Just as we see a doctor when the body is unwell, the mind may need support too — and finding it hard to recover on your own is nothing to be ashamed of.
When should I think about a prosthesis?
The right time depends on how your wound is healing, so it should be decided with your doctor. A Silobionic silicone finger prosthesis is completed in three standard visits, taking about 4–6 weeks from consultation to delivery (1–2 weeks with express production). For more on timing, see our journal article on when to get a finger prosthesis after amputation.
Frequently asked questions
When can I start massaging after surgery?
Once the stitched wound has fully healed and your doctor has said it is fine. Massaging before it heals can reopen the wound.
Should I see a doctor about phantom pain?
It can last, so if you notice it, it is worth discussing with your doctor early on.
Will the emotional side get better with time?
It varies. If withdrawal or low mood goes on for a long time, we encourage you to seek help from a mental health professional.
Can I be fitted for a prosthesis straight after surgery?
It depends on how your wound is healing, so decide the timing with your doctor. Our process is three standard visits, taking about 4–6 weeks to delivery.
