Almost lost index finger today

[RaffyK]

I went home at lunch to help my contractor with the attic ladder in the garage. We changed out the old one with new (4 months ago) but realised that the steps were narrower so could not take up big boxes in the attic. So today we put the old one back in.

Contractor takes out all the screws and lets me know that he will be pushing the ladder frame down so I should hold it and let it down easy. Well it came down easy but my left index finger got caught at the swivel point of the trap door support bracketry and my right pinky got caught in the other one.

Here I am in excruciating pain and I can't move either hand to save my index finger. My contractor jumped down from the attic and proceeded to pull the trap door frame back and I was able to pull my hands out. There was literrally a 1/4" deep identation over the top of my index finger. Luckily not much blood. But I suspect the 20-25 seconds that it took to free the finger caused some severe trauma. I have a bit of numbness at the index fingertip.

Going to get it checked out to make sure it's not going to be permenant.

Idiot here was grabbing the bracketry instead of the trap door or the steps.

[LodiHal]

Damn, Raffy, get it checked out for sure. I'm glad it wasn't worse!!!

[cfell]

Raffy.. man, sorry that happened.. and I'm not the one in pain! Hope you get better quick!

thanks for al lyou do for us!

[kellenbenz]

Sorry to hear that Raffy, hope it heals quickly and you haven't broken anything. I just had hand surgery to my right hand 1 1/2 years after my last motorcycle accident. It got to the point I could only sleep about 2 hours at a time and was almost impossible to move 3 fingers. I am recovering now. My mistake was waiting so long to get it taken care of.....please go get it checked.

Ron

[RaffyK]

Just came back from urgent care. Seems I have a bit of nerve damage. Doc did a test with a pair of pins. The damage is to the underside towards the middle finger part of the figertip, opposite to where the nerve runs. Good news is it's because of the trauma and subsequent swelling. Doc thinks it will recover. Need to keep hand elevated above heart and ice it every two hours for 20 minutes. Next week by Monday it should be fine. If not, I need to go see my regular doc.

All is well and I am glad I have all 10 fingers in use.

[ErnieA]

That's good news Raffy. I cut a tendon in my right index finger in a lathe accident. It took 8 weeks to heal. Sounds like you lucked out a bit. Happy healing.

[amarider]

Just came back from urgent care. Seems I have a bit of nerve damage. Doc did a test with a pair of pins. The damage is to the underside towards the middle finger part of the figertip, opposite to where the nerve runs. Good news is it's because of the trauma and subsequent swelling. Doc thinks it will recover. Need to keep hand elevated above heart and ice it every two hours for 20 minutes. Next week by Monday it should be fine. If not, I need to go see my regular doc.

All is well and I am glad I have all 10 fingers in use.

Glad to hear your in good spirits. I suggest an Ice cold beer to hold once every two hours. :beer: Keep the swelling down and relieve pain at the same time.

[dougholck]

Glad you can still "high five x 2".

To late now, but for future refrence the correct method for installing (removing) attic ladders is to screw two boards accross the opening on the underside and install (remove) the ladder from above. Prevents ladder from landing on your head or fingers getting mashed and aligns bottom frame perfectly with ceiling finish. Those ladders are famous for damaging flesh but sure are handy for what they do. I prefer the units that do not fold but have a sliding extension ladder attached to the pull down door.

Doug
Official "Contractor" of the HDDC

[RaffyK]

Thanks Doug for the tip. Where can I find one of these? i'll be putting one for the second floor attic.

We did put a board to install the new one but did not when removing the old one.

[RaffyK]

Did the beer thing :)

[RMoore007]

Sheeesh!:( See you in the morning. Hope you are ok.:o

[scottydawg]

Had a similar experince with a snow blower once, certainly makes me a LOT more careful now.

[Way2Fast]

Didn't your Mother warn you how dangerous ladders are and not to mess with them and that you should go out and play with motorcycles instead. Glad to hear it should heal up.

[mikerd400]

Raffy, I'm glad you'll be okay.

[Dell]

Raffy, just reading your descriptions made my fingers hurt! Please take care.

[midwilshire]

Are we to understand that you came to BMWLT and typed out your story with injured fingers before going to the hospital? That's devotion!

Heal quickly!!

[hawg]

Did the beer thing :)


Dammit, mang!

Do the beer thang again!!! :beer: :beer: :beer:

Hope all turns out well. I suspect that when you get all healed up, riding the bike(s) will either help the nerve damage or your body will compensate for it and you will hardly notice.

Take care from now on....puh leeeze...

[grifscoots]

Hey Raf, those trauma thangs can be purdy hurtful. I cut my right index finger off 18 years ago, they sewed it back on. Though it sounds bad, it wasn't nearly as painful as what you've described. Cutting a nerve, as opposed to crunching one. The severing takes it out.

[RdcrzR]

YEEEEEEEEoooooooUUUUUUUUUcccccccccHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry to hear about your accident - just read it. Hope your finger heals quick!

[mike2243]

Raffy,

Really need to get on this more often...

sorry to hear about the finger...

at least you have a great story.... I got a few myself///

Mike

[sanjaun2]

Raffy,
Sorry to hear about your finger. Heal well and heal fast.

[AlaskaFish]

Raffy, sorry about the finger man! Hope it all heals OK in the end. We're still catching up on the list after returning from our long way home. (See our writ-up on the Pac NW Forum.)

Heal thyself!

John

[kdog]

Dayam, Raffy. Just saw this message, and it gave me a shiver. How's the finger doing?

-joel

[RaffyK]

Finger is fine but the numbness is still there. although getting better gradually.

[kdog]

Glad to hear it. As long as it doesn't interfere with you shipping out that Beadrider I ordered, then it's ok. Hehe, just kidding.

Seriously, I'm glad you're doing ok.

-joel