Josh
Middletown, NY
Occupation
Carpenter as well as Tattoo Artist & Oil Painter
Technology
Point Digits Pivot+ Thumb Prosthesis
Patient Since
2019
Success Story
Josh injured himself while using a skill saw in August 2019. One of Josh's biggest fear after losing his left non-dominant thumb was taking care of his unborn first baby that was due 6 months after his amputation. He communicated early on that function is most important to him as he wants to get back to work to support himself and his family. Josh has successfully returned to work and has become a reliable and caring father to his sweet daughter.
What Stands Out
Josh was first fit with an i-digits myoelectric prosthesis. While this prosthesis assisted him in his activities of daily living, he felt it wasn't able to keep up with his heavy duty lifestyle working with carpentry tools and in and around chemicals, paints, dust and abrasives. When it was time to fit Josh for his second prosthesis, there was a new prosthetic thumb option called the Point Digits Pivot+ Thumb. This prosthesis was a game changer for Josh as he now has a prosthesis that is extremely robust, can be submersed in water, doesn't have to be charged, and is very intuitive to use.
Josh also had the unfortunate experience of having a painful neuroma that developed along his surgical scar line a few years after his amputation, which made it nearly impossible for him to wear his prosthesis. A neuroma is a disorganized growth of nerve cells at the site of a nerve injury, which can develop over time. He was referred to Dr. Logan Carr, a Plastic Surgeon at Westchester Medical Center who very skillfully removed the neuroma. Once Josh healed by that surgery, he was back to wearing his partial hand prosthesis on a daily basis.
Josh's Advice
"Be patient with yourself, don't jump to the first suggestion, and give it time. Allow yourself the time to "authentically experience" the prosthesis. Be patient in learning how to overcome your new limitation and most important BE KIND TO YOURSELF!"
"Handspring has been instrumental in helping me be placed and fitted with a prosthetic that is extremely helpful. Having originally been fitted with a robotic device that was not efficient, and then having medical issues with my area of injury, the team at Handspring showed me an incredible level of support through needing surgery and through finding a device that was functionable and realistic. I am very grateful and in a much better place because of their support and craftmanship in seeing these devices constructed and fitted. I cannot thank the team at Handspring enough!"
Handspring Heroes
Providing personalized, expert care in upper & lower limb prosthetic rehabilitation.