In a hand transplant, the surgeon first connects the radius and the ulna bones with plates and screws, and then attaches the arteries and veins using microvascular surgical techniques. After blood begins flowing through your arm, your surgeon individually repairs each muscle and fixes tendon-to-tendon and tendon-to-muscle junctions. After fixing the muscles on the back of your hand, your surgeon fixes muscles and nerves in your palm and carefully insets your skin. When possible, your surgeon repairs your median, ulnar and radial nerves. Following repair at the level of the forearm, some finger motion may be possible immediately after surgery.

Aug. 20, 2024