Restoring an Index Finger: From Fixed Deformity to Writing in School
The survivor’s journey, before and after surgery.
10-year-old girl from regional Manipur lived with index finger contracture that prevented her from holding a pencil.
The index finger is the guiding instrument of human learning, precision, and self-expression. A ten-year-old girl from Manipur sustained burns that resulted in post-burn contracture of her right index finger. The rigid fibrous cord pulled the finger down into permanent acute flexion.
At ten years old, as schoolwork demanded fluent handwriting and class participation, the girl struggled intensely. The inability to extend her index finger forced clumsy compensation with other fingers, causing joint pain, fatigue, and profound self-consciousness.
The Functional Impact of Volar Digital Scarring
Volar digital contractures cross the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. As the scar contracts longitudinally, the flexor tendons remain functional while the skin envelope shrinks, causing a mismatch between joint mechanics and surface skin.
Without surgical release and resurfacing, secondary joint capsule contractures develop, eventually leading to permanent joint fusion. Her family had endured years of worry without the financial means to seek private reconstructive care.
The Surgical Intervention at Shija Hospitals
Through Burn Healing Foundation’s partnership with Shija Hospitals in Imphal, the girl was evaluated and approved for fully funded reconstructive surgery.
The plastic surgery team performed a precise transverse release of the volar contracture band across the right index finger, followed by gentle passive manipulation to achieve full 180-degree extension. A specialized skin graft was sutured in place to provide adequate soft-tissue cover.
Writing Her Own Future
Her index finger is now fully extended and flexible. She writes smoothly in her notebooks, no longer hides her hand, and dreams of becoming a teacher in her community.
Medical photo, before surgeryFully funded by BHF, at no cost to the family.
This survivor has already been treated. ₹20,000 to 50,000 funds the next surgery at a partner hospital.
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