Hand and finger loss can lead to significant challenges for individuals both in maintaining daily life activities and in their psychological well-being. At this point, one of the most natural solutions in terms of aesthetics and functionality is silicone finger prostheses. However, one of the most curious topics for patients is the timing of the application of these prostheses. The answer to the question of when can silicone finger prosthesis be made is directly dependent on the completion of the wound healing process, the stump becoming volumetrically stable, and the edema subsiding completely. Ongoing changes in tissues during the early period after surgery or trauma prevent taking measurements. Therefore, an individual approach is adopted for each patient evaluated in our clinic, and the most appropriate timing is planned. You can visit our Contact page to get detailed information about the process and speak with our expert team.
Helping individuals who have experienced loss adapt to social life and gain functional independence requires a multidisciplinary approach. In treatment planning, the surgeon’s guidance and the prosthetist’s evaluations meet on a common ground. In this article, we will examine the entire process in detail, from wound healing to precise measurement techniques, exact color matching, and the final delivery stage. In addition, we will examine the medical criteria that must be considered throughout the process and answer frequently asked questions.
The success of the prosthesis application begins with the right timing. Procedures performed without waiting for the tissues to heal completely can yield unsuccessful results.
It is essential that the incision lines on the finger stump close completely and epithelization is completed after surgery or an accident. Applying silicone over open wounds or tissues that have not yet formed scabs increases the risk of infection and endangers tissue health. Getting approval from your physician during this period is the most fundamental priority.
Even after wound healing is complete, it should be expected that the skin’s sensitivity decreases and it gains durability against external factors. The tissues reaching a sufficient resistance level are among the factors that directly affect the comfort of the prosthesis in daily use.
It is inevitable to have edema (swelling) on the finger stump after trauma or surgical interventions. It usually takes months for this edema to subside completely and for the finger to reach its final volume. Prostheses produced with measurements taken before the edema subsides loosen in a short time and create adaptation problems.
Once volume stabilization is achieved, it becomes possible for the prosthesis to fit snugly on the stump and offer comfort all day long. Experts recommend that the patient perform finger exercises during this period and not neglect stump care.
Protecting stump health is the most critical stage of the pre-prosthesis preparation phase. A healthy skin structure increases prosthesis success.
Disruption of lymphatic drainage in the hand and finger region can cause edema to persist for a long time. Swelling is ensured to subside rapidly by using compression bandages or special silicone sheaths. For more information on edema control, you can review our content titled Why Does Hand Swelling Happen?
The complete disappearance of edema is mandatory to achieve millimeter precision during the molding stage. Taking measurements over a swollen tissue causes the prosthesis to be loose when the edema subsides.
Scar tissues formed during wound healing must be flexible and soft. Hardened or adhered scar tissues can cause pain while putting on and taking off the prosthesis. The flexibility of these tissues is increased with massage techniques and moisturizing creams.
After making sure that skin integrity is fully ensured and no redness or sensitivity remains, the transition to the next phase of the prosthesis process is made. In this process, our expert team, whose details you can find on our About Us page, guides our patients.
The measurement stage is one of the most technical steps determining the success of the custom-made silicone finger prosthesis.
A negative mold is taken with special measurement materials, taking into account the symmetry of the healthy hand or the anatomical structure of the stump. At this stage, the joint folds, knuckles, and smallest details of the finger are scanned or poured into a mold with precision. The custom silicone prosthesis measurement creates the skeleton of the prosthesis.
During the precise measurement process, the patient is expected to keep their finger steady and relaxed. Expert technicians work to design the most accurate model by preserving anatomical proportions.
The taken mold needs to be processed millimetrically in a laboratory environment. Residues that do not fully fit the shape of the stump can cause irritation in long-term use. Therefore, trial stages are carried out with great care.
Mold fit is of critical importance for the patient to carry the prosthesis comfortably throughout the day and continue daily activities without interruption.
To achieve an aesthetically flawless result, the color matching process is an artistic and technical work carried out very meticulously.
Human skin does not consist of a single color; it contains many details such as vascular structures, sunspots, freckles, and skin undertones. During the color matching stage, special pigments are blended into the silicone based on the skin tone in the patient’s healthy hand.
With tests performed under different lighting conditions (daylight, fluorescent, yellow light), the prosthesis color is aimed to match the natural skin one-to-one. Thus, when looked at from a distance, the difference between the prosthesis and the real finger cannot be distinguished.
The appearance of the vascular network under the skin, slight redness, and pigment transitions are individually processed onto the silicone surface using painting techniques. This detailing work maximizes the realistic appearance of the prosthesis.
If you would like to get detailed information about these precise methods applied in our clinic, you can visit our Silicone Prosthesis category.
The most important elements completing the naturalness of the prosthesis are the nail structure and millimeter detailing of the skin texture.
The nails used in silicone finger prostheses are specially produced by taking into account the structure, width, and length of the nails on the patient’s other hand. Willing patients can apply nail polish on the nails or prefer a natural nail appearance.
Nail bed colors and crescent-shaped lunula details are also designed to be fully compatible with the patient’s natural anatomy, thus achieving aesthetic integrity flawlessly.
Not only color, but also the skin’s fingerprint, fine lines, and porous structure are transferred to the silicone surface. These texture details prevent the prosthesis from looking artificial and make it impossible to distinguish visually from a real finger, except for the sense of touch.
With the completion of surface procedures, the prosthesis production period approaches the final stage, and the patient is called for a trial session.
The final trial of the prosthesis whose production stages are completed is performed on the patient, and usage training is given to realize the delivery process.
The prosthesis production period from measurement taking to final delivery varies depending on the precision of the details. In the first trial session, it is checked whether the prosthesis fits the stump and whether it squeezes or loosens.
Small corrections deemed necessary are made quickly in a laboratory environment to maximize patient comfort.
After the prosthesis is delivered, the patient is explained in detail how to put it on and take it off, and how to perform daily cleaning and maintenance. Compliance with the recommended maintenance routine is of great importance to extend the life of the silicone material.
You can always reach us via our Contact page for your questions and appointment requests.
A silicone finger prosthesis can be made during the period when wound healing is fully completed, the surgical area is closed, and the edema in the finger subsides, making the stump volumetrically stable.
No, the measurement process is completely painless. Special measurement materials are gently applied over the stump to ensure the anatomical form is extracted in the most accurate way.
The skin tone, undertones, vascular structures, and pigments in the patient’s healthy hand are examined, and colors matching one-to-one are manually worked onto the silicone material using special painting techniques.
Yes, silicone finger prostheses provide both aesthetic and light functional support, helping you carry out your daily life activities more comfortably.
Including measurement taking, color matching, nail detailing, and trial stages, the production process is usually completed within a few weeks.
