It’s clear that Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson have challenges in front of them after losing fingers in fireworks accidents.
But one doctor familiar with such surgeries says it’s not inconceivable that they could return to the field.
Dr. Michelle Carlson, an orthopedic hand surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, said that losing an index finger is less of a challenge than other fingers. She’s not involved in the treatment of either player, but said that even surgeons can adapt to the loss of a finger and remain functional.
Pierre-Paul lost his right index finger, while Wilson’s without his index and middle fingers. In the surgery called “ray amputation,” the finger is taken away, along with the corresponding bones in the hand which control that finger.
“The long ring and middle finger are more involved in power grips than the index finger is,” Carlson said, via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. “It’s surprising how normal that looks. Most people who have index ray amputation, people don’t even notice they’re missing a finger. It looks surprisingly normal and functionally, people do very well. . . . You can actually can make up for it very well. In fact, they do better with that finger amputated than if the finger remains but is not functional. . . .
“We adapt very quickly. Especially without an index finger, you can actually do very well. The [middle] finger may affect his grip, in gripping and tackling.”
Of course, there are other issues Pierre-Paul’s dealing with, including a fractured thumb and tissue damage. But the lack of a finger on its own doesn’t have to be a thing that prevents his return to the field.
