Thumbs Up!
By: Jean Elle, KNTV
Updated: March 1, 2012
A Mississippi man is giving surgeons at San Francisco's St. Mary's Medical Center a big "thumbs up"...with his toe.
Michael Stevens recently lost his left thumb in an accident while working on an engine.
After a dispute with his insurance company over how the loss of the thumb should be treated, Stevens traveled to St. Mary's for the services of Dr. Charles Lee, the hospital's chief of plastic surgery.
Lee removed one of Steven's big toes and grafted the digit onto his left hand, in effect restoring his opposable thumb.
That will eventually give him the ability to return to work as a mechanic.
Stevens still faces several months of recovery and physical therapy, but should have a normal grip within a year.
Michael Stevens recently lost his left thumb in an accident while working on an engine.
After a dispute with his insurance company over how the loss of the thumb should be treated, Stevens traveled to St. Mary's for the services of Dr. Charles Lee, the hospital's chief of plastic surgery.
Lee removed one of Steven's big toes and grafted the digit onto his left hand, in effect restoring his opposable thumb.
That will eventually give him the ability to return to work as a mechanic.
Stevens still faces several months of recovery and physical therapy, but should have a normal grip within a year.
