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Mr Richard Baker 2019-12-08 Person 5 5 0

I ripped my thumb off and snapped the ligament off the bone in my right hand (adductor tendon incised). I was very frightened but had to trust someone - I was very lucky to be put under Richard Baker's care. He booked me into theatre - Even though the ward was full, he found me a bed. Before the operation, Richard and his assistants Rachel and Haroon, were great in explaining the surgery procedure and how, until they had opened up my thumb, the full extent of my injury would not be known. Also the risks were explained to me, though, as above, I had to trust someone. During the operation Richard found my ligament and reattached it to my bone using a Mitex anchor. He put my hand into a cast and I kept it raised - It was very painful initially and I was worried the anchor would come out. However that was more in my mind than reality, as nearly two months later, I've built confidence and been discharged! After two weeks I had my cast replaced (I chose a pink one with glitter!), then after another two weeks I had another cast for a week. Then I was transferred to hand therapy and was given another, smaller cast, so I could start using my fingers and doing gentle thumb exercises. Two months later my scar is very neat and becomes less conspicuous each day. My thumb is getting stronger and I'm doing lifting, stretching and pinching exercises. I am incredibly grateful and thankful to Richard Baker, his wonderful Plastics team at Wexham Park Hospital, his operation assistants including Haroon, Liz who changed my dressing, Hayley who arranged my appointments, cast ladies who were very patient, and Stephanie and Lauren in hand therapy. Not forgetting the nurse who kindly did my hair in a plait for theatre as I was distressed and couldn't use my thumb. I would highly recommend Richard Baker. I was worried I'd never be able to use my thumb again but Richard Baker has given me the confidence and courage to realise that I will be able to #savemythumb #iamverylucky