“If You Hadn't Told Us, We Honestly Couldn't Tell — The Reconstructed Thumb Actually Looks Prettier and More Natural Than the 'Original' One...” ​

This joyful scene took place during a home visit by Dr. Wu Zhaosen, Vice President and finger reconstruction specialist, together with Deputy Chief Physician Wu Junqing.

• Before treatment: the distal segment of the left thumb was missing
• After reconstruction: complete and beautiful in appearance, flexible in function

The person who said those words was a relative of the subject of the home visit — Ms. Niu, 44. Those simple words both lifted the weight from Ms. Niu's heart and brought the doctors' sense of professional fulfillment to its peak.

Ms. Niu said: "Before I lost the tip of my thumb, there were many tasks I couldn't do. Now it not only works flexibly — it looks good too..."

Ms. Niu's own account: "Three biggest worries kept me hesitating..."​

At the home visit, encouraged by her relative's words, Ms. Niu opened up and shared what she had kept inside for so long... The reason she had hesitated came down to three worries:

Ms. Niu was deeply anxious after losing the tip of her thumb.

She said: "I always knew reconstruction was possible, and I knew the method of using the big toe to rebuild a finger. The reason I kept hesitating was these three worries:

1. Worry that the reconstructed thumb would not look good:​
The appearance of a thumb and a big toe differ quite a bit. After reconstruction, would it look very much like a toe — something others could spot at a glance?

Left thumb with distal segment missing

2. Worry about the impact on her foot:​
Taking the toe to rebuild the thumb would mean losing the toe. Although shoes could hide it, would it later cause unstable walking or pain?

3. Worry that the cost would be too high:​
She was from an ordinary working family with limited savings, and feared one surgery would place a heavy burden on the whole family..."

Although she longed desperately to have an ideal thumb again, these three worries were the practical realities she had to face. She didn't want her family to worry and feel anxious along with her, so in daily life she pretended to be strong and indifferent to reassure them.

Later, she forced herself to accept and adapt to the reality of a missing thumb. The work she had once been familiar with was no longer possible, and she quietly endured it all... That period was agonizing and painful.

Because of these worries, she kept searching online, hoping to find a perfect solution. That was how she was fortunate enough to meet Dr. Wu Zhaosen — a finger reconstruction specialist with both superb skills and genuine attentiveness. After his thorough and detailed explanations, everything suddenly became clear: it was simply that her understanding of reconstruction techniques hadn't been deep enough — and that was why she had suffered for so long.

Microsurgical Aesthetic Repair and Reconstruction: beautiful and natural, flexible and free.

Dr. Wu Zhaosen and his team in past surgeries

Dr. Wu said: "Today's medical technology is already very advanced. We use the method of microsurgical aesthetic repair and reconstruction. Moreover, since what was missing was the distal segment of the left thumb, the appearance will be sculpted during the reconstruction to strive for maximum realism and a natural look."

01. Microsurgical aesthetic reconstruction — natural, beautiful appearance:​
Because the missing part was small and sculpting was performed, the reconstructed thumb tip is naturally more realistic. In addition, the independently developed flap liposuction technique can further refine the shape.

02. Little missing, little taken — the toe's basic shape is preserved:​
Before surgery, 3D printing technology is used to precisely calculate the size and shape of the missing part, so reconstruction is achieved at the smallest possible cost. Since only the distal segment was missing, not much was needed — only part of the toe had to be taken. The basic shape of the big toe is preserved, with essentially no impact on future walking or running.

Ms. Niu saw cases similar to her own: after microsurgical aesthetic reconstruction and recovery, the appearance of both the thumb and the toe

03. The cost of reconstruction is affordable for an average family:​
The overall cost of finger reconstruction is manageable for ordinary families. After reconstruction, with her thumb regained, she would have more choices in work. A short-term financial sacrifice is exchanged for long-term stable income. Without it, the range of jobs available to her would shrink — and opportunities would become even fewer.

Beyond her biggest worries, Dr. Wu also patiently explained more about reconstruction. The more she learned, the more rational she became. After careful deliberation, she made the decision to be treated. She then shared her wish for reconstruction with her family, and the whole family gave their full support. In April, she came to Renji and completed the admission procedures.

A home visit 7+ months later: no one could tell which thumb was the reconstructed one.

While chatting with fellow patients on the ward, she learned that when it came to reconstruction surgery, everyone's concerns differed in detail — but everyone had many of them. In the end, they all chose reconstruction for their own reasons. The process was somewhat winding, but the outcome was the same for all: "lost and found" — once again having natural, beautiful, and flexible fingers.

Consultation, surgical planning, preoperative examinations — Dr. Wu, Deputy Chief Physician Wu Junqing, and their team performed the surgery successfully... After the operation, under the attentive care of the medical staff and her family, the entire treatment went smoothly and quickly.

Immediately after reconstruction surgery

At discharge, her attending physician Wu Junqing gave specific instructions on precautions, exercise methods, and the schedule for regular online follow-ups. He also exchanged WeChat contact with Ms. Niu to better guide her later recovery.

More than 7 months after surgery, the reconstruction team specially set aside time to visit Ms. Niu at home. The reconstructed thumb tip was beautiful in appearance and flexible in function. Placing both thumbs together, no one could tell which was the reconstructed one — and her family exclaimed: "The reconstructed thumb is more natural and prettier than the 'original' one!"

At the home visit: beautiful and natural in appearance, flexible and free in function.

Ms. Niu continued: "Now that everything has been perfectly resolved, I finally dare to talk about how I felt back then without holding anything back. I'm so grateful to Dr. Wu, Dr. Wu Junqing, and all the medical staff of the department... And I have good news to share: I'm still at my previous workplace, doing the same familiar job as before..."

What was reconstructed was the tip of a thumb; what she regained was a way to make a living. What was reconstructed was the tip of a finger; what she regained was the confidence and self-assurance for social life!

A tertiary hospital with over 20 years of history — Finger Reconstruction is one of the hospital's key specialties.

We want to say: among all reconstructions, the luckiest is — reconstruction of the fingertip. Because so little is taken: both finger and toe can be kept. Because so little is missing: the reconstructed appearance and function are even better...

If conditions allow, choose reconstruction! What you regain is the beauty and hope of a happy life!