A big thank you to Edward M. Kobraei, MD and ART Microsurgery and Nerve Center team for sharing this inspiring case! 🙏 We are pleased the allay™ Nerve Cap was able to be a part of the journey toward healing.
Double-Board Certified Plastic, Hand, Peripheral Nerve, and Microsurgeon at Kaiser Permanente
PATIENT STORY: “FOOTBALLER’S FINGERLESS 4TH OF JULY” This 17 YO right-handed high-school football player with college scholarships was playing with extremely powerful fireworks on the 4th of July when one detonated in the palm of his right hand. This devastating injury would require more than 10 operations- 5 at the outside trauma center and an additional 5 more after I accepted him for transfer to our ART Microsurgery and Nerve Center at Kaiser San Jose. His goal from the time I first met him was clear- “I just want to get back onto the football field.” His second metacarpal and thumb were able to be salvaged, and I covered them with a neurotized free ALT flap. He required an additional secondary procedure for treatment of a painful Median nerve neuroma with hydrogel nerve caps, thumb sensory nerve reconstruction, and MP joint capsulotomies. He has since been able to use the hand for simple tasks and has even persevered his way back to make it on the football field!