Well, it finally happened. Just one brief lapse in concentration and I spent 6 hours in the ER last night. I got to the ER at 7:30 PM and got home at 1:45 AM. They X-rayed the wound, cleaned it and sutured it.After dinner, I went to the shop to continue working on a chest of drawers. I said "as soon as this piece is cut and installed, I'll call it a night." I'm left handed and have a massive wound on my left thumb. The radial nerve running down down the right side of the thumb and the tendon are cut. I was scheduled for surgery this morning but it has now been postponed until Tuesday. They aren't very encouraged that they will be able to find enough of the nerve to reattach it. The nerve does not have any elasticity so it can't be stretched. They are much more confident that the tendon can be reattached since it does have elasticity. There is also a slight cut into the bone of the joint (the one at the end of the thumb) and I am not able to bend that joint due to the cut into the bone and the cut tendon. Their big concern is infection. They say that with a joint injury there is a high risk of infection. To say I was frustrated when they postponed the surgery would be an understatement. It seems to me that with a high risk of infection that surgery would be performed as soon as possible. I was told that there is a 1% to 2% chance of failure of the surgery. Although that is a very high chance of success, 100% is better. But you play the hand that is dealt and put your faith in God and the surgeon and hope for the best. Well, enough of that.
One last thing. This wouldn't have happened with a Sawstop, but it also would not have happened had I been using a blade guard. Assuming that I will be able to continue to do woodworking, you can rest assured that a guard will be used in the future.
I'll keep you all posted and hope that someone will benefit from my experience. You know what they say...no pics, it didn't happen. Believe me when I say that it did.
One last thing. This wouldn't have happened with a Sawstop, but it also would not have happened had I been using a blade guard. Assuming that I will be able to continue to do woodworking, you can rest assured that a guard will be used in the future.
I'll keep you all posted and hope that someone will benefit from my experience. You know what they say...no pics, it didn't happen. Believe me when I say that it did.