Do reattached limbs work?

Question

This veterinarian from Taiwan had his arm bit off by a crocodile and doctors reattached it for him. Is his arm still functional?

http://www.foxnews.com/photoessay/0,4644,1636,00.html

Will the arm fall off after it heals if the guy lift weights or do anything?

Answer 1

Wow! You weren't kidding when you said graphic! From what I understand, if the arteries and nerves can be reattached, which takes a lot of work and time and is extremely difficult, then a limb can be reattached and functional with the help of physical therapy. However, from the looks of that arm, I doubt if all the nerves and arteries were reattached, I would think they would have been too badly injured. And no, it will not fall off during excercise or lifting weights after healing but I'm pretty sure that while it is healing it needs  to be immobilized to a certain extent. I am not a doctor so I don't know the accuracy of everything I just said, but I am a med student and based on what I have learned thus far (been a med student for 2 months !!!) that is what I think.

Answer 2

I haven't the time to look at the video but I have looked after many limbs that have been reattached after machinery/work related injuries.

There are many specialists involved in this sort of thing : orthopaedic surgeons,  plastics and vascular specialists, orthopaedic and plastic trained nurse and occupational therapists and physios.

The operation can take at the least nine hours and the patient is in hospital for at least 4 weeks and then their is the therapy.

They usually heal well.

It is a very rewarding type of work to do and the patients are very grateful.