Regrowing A Lost Limb: Healing Time For Amputated Fingers And Nails

The length of recovery for an amputated finger and nail depends on the severity of the wound, but some can take years to fully heal. Fingernails take six months to grow from the germinal matrix (nail root) to the end of the nail. Fingernails have a growth rate of about three millimeters (0.1 inches) per month, but age and poor circulation can cause slower growth.

Pain and sensitivity may last a year or more

Fingertip amputation is a common injury and recovery can take several weeks. Your finger may be sensitive to cold and painful for a year or more. Fingertips have many nerves and are very sensitive, so the injury may be very painful. Treatment depends on how much skin, tissue, bone, and nail were damaged and how much of your finger or thumb was cut off. The doctor may have put stitches in your finger and you may need to see a hand surgeon for more treatment. After thoroughly cleaning and preparing an amputated fingertip, the surgeon may reattach it to the finger. This is a long, complicated surgical procedure. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed. Prop up the sore hand on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days.

Splints are essential to protect the finger during healing

A splint is essential to protect the finger during healing after an amputation. It is very important that you wear the splint exactly as your doctor tells you.

The length of repair depends on the severity of the wound, but some can take years to fully heal. Fingernails take six months to grow from the germinal matrix (nail root) to the end of the nail. Fingernails have a growth rate of about three millimeters (0.1 inches) per month, but age and poor circulation can cause slower growth.

The initial couple of weeks after an amputation surgery can be painful, similar to other major surgeries. Your surgeon may help with the pain by prescribing pain medications such as opioids or suggesting a heat treatment or cold treatment.

Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed. Prop up the sore hand on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days.

Replantation is a long and complicated surgical procedure

The initial couple of weeks after an amputation surgery can be painful, similar to other major surgeries. Your surgeon may help with the pain by prescribing pain medications such as opioids or suggesting a heat treatment or cold treatment. Unfortunately, the pain with an amputation may not stop there. Because amputations affect the nerves, many amputees suffer from long-term symptoms including:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Loss of sensation

Your finger may be sensitive to cold and painful for a year or more. It is very important that you wear a splint exactly as your doctor tells you to protect your finger as it heals. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed. Prop up the sore hand on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days.

Wounds can take years to fully heal

The initial couple of weeks after an amputation surgery can be painful, similar to other major surgeries. Your surgeon may help with the pain by prescribing pain medications such as opioids or suggesting a heat treatment or cold treatment. Unfortunately, the pain with an amputation may not stop there. Because amputations affect the nerves, many amputees suffer from long-term symptoms including:

• Numbness
• Pain
• Tingling
• Loss of sensation

Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed. Prop up the sore hand on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days.

Fingernails take six months to grow back

Fingernails take six months to grow from the germinal matrix (nail root) to the end of the nail. Fingernails have a growth rate of about three millimeters (0.1 inches) per month, but age and poor circulation can cause slower growth.

The length of repair depends on a wound's severity, but some can take years to fully heal. Fingertip amputation is a common injury. Treatment depends on how much skin, tissue, bone, and nail were damaged and how much of your finger or thumb was cut off. The doctor may have put stitches in your finger. You may need to see a hand surgeon for more treatment. Your fingertips have many nerves and are very sensitive, so the injury may be very painful. Recovery can take several weeks. Your finger may be sensitive to cold and painful for a year or more. You probably will have a splint to protect your finger as it heals. It is very important that you wear the splint exactly as your doctor tells you.

Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed. Prop up the sore hand on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days.

There’s no doubt that the initial couple of weeks after an amputation surgery can be painful, similar to other major surgeries. Your surgeon may help with the pain by prescribing pain medications such as opioids or suggesting a heat treatment or cold treatment. Unfortunately, the pain with an amputation may not stop there. Because amputations affect the nerves, many amputees suffer from long-term symptoms including:

• Numbness
• Pain
• Tingling
• Loss of sensation
• Muscle spasms
• Joint stiffness
• Deformity
• Contracture

Your surgeon can also help with these symptoms.

Frequently asked questions