Dec 03, 2024 21:00:00

A medical doctor explains why it's okay to remove your index finger

Many people recognize the index finger as an important function, and would like to maintain it as long as possible even if it becomes necessary to amputate it. However, Dr. William White of the University of Miami School of Medicine wrote a column titled 'Why I hate the index finger' in 1980, arguing that 'the index finger is not that important, and it is better to remove it than to continue to maintain the index finger with impaired function at the expense of strain.'

Why I hate the index finger - PMC

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2997957/

The index finger has the image of being a 'dexterous finger that moves precisely,' but White says, 'The index finger is generally clumsy and gets in the way of doing things other than shooting an arrow or pulling a gun trigger.' In fact, one study showed that the index finger is injured more than any other finger on the hand. White said, 'In many cases, injuries to the index finger are caused by a combination of clumsiness and stubbornness,' pointing out that the index finger does not have the advantage that people have in mind.

As a concrete example of the role of the index finger, White gives the example of hammering a nail. According to White, if you hold the hammer between your thumb and index finger, you can hardly drive a nail, but if you add your middle finger or hold the hammer with your thumb, ring finger, and little finger, you can significantly improve your strength and accuracy.

It has also been pointed out that if the index finger is injured, it can impede the function of the other fingers. Furthermore, tendon transplants, nerve repairs, and fracture treatments for the index finger are more difficult than for other fingers. In fact, when a flexor tendon is transplanted to the index finger, there are cases of 'extensor habitus' in which the ability to bend the finger is gradually lost. If no improvement is seen, pain and sensory abnormalities occur, and in the worst case scenario, the index finger must be amputated.

White recalls a past case in which a female typist came to the clinic complaining of discomfort in her index finger. According to White, the patient had undergone seven surgeries on her index finger before visiting White, and the sensitivity of her fingertip had decreased significantly. In addition, the patient's

interphalangeal joint was deformed and always in a state of extension. In response to this, White suggested that the patient remove part of her index finger. After the surgery, the patient's symptoms were reported to have improved.

White also reported that removing the index finger from the second metacarpal bone increased the range of motion of the hand.

'Once lost, index finger feeling rarely returns. Personally, I find it horrible to see a patient with a dysfunctional index finger. If it can't be restored to a functional state, I believe the index finger should be amputated,' White said. 'Amputation of the index finger helps patients return to function sooner.' He argues that if there are severe problems with the index finger, it is more beneficial to amputate it rather than trying to maintain it.