A man whose hands were left unusable by scleroderma has been given a new life after what is believed to be the world’s first double-handed transplant for the disease.
Steven Gallagher, 48, was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that causes scarring on his skin and internal organs, after developing an unusual rash on his cheeks and nose about 13 years ago, and pain in his nose. right arm.
Doctors initially said it could be lupus, then thought it was carpal tunnel syndrome and operated on him, but when the pain returned to both arms he was referred to a specialist who confirmed he had scleroderma. .
The condition affected areas such as the nose, mouth and hands, and about seven years ago, his fingers began to curl until they were in a fist position and he suffered “horrible” pain.
When experts suggested the idea of a double-handed transplant, the father of three initially rejected the idea, but later decided to go ahead despite the risks.
Steven Gallagher, of Dreghorn, Ayrshire, is the first person in the world to receive a double-handed transplant after suffering from scleroderma.
Steven’s hands were left unusable by scleroderma, but he has been given a new life after what is believed to be the world’s first double-handed transplant for the disease.
Undated photo of Steven Gallagher’s hand after the operation
When experts suggested the idea of a double-handed transplant, the father of three initially rejected the idea, but later decided to go ahead despite the risks.
The condition affected areas such as the nose, mouth and hands, and about seven years ago, his fingers began to curl until they were in a fist position and he suffered “horrible” pain. But now he is beginning to take control of his new hands
He told the PA news agency: “My hands started to close, they got to the point where they were basically two fists, my hands were unusable, I couldn’t do anything but lift things with both hands.
‘I couldn’t catch anything, it was a struggle to get dressed and stuff like that.
“When Professor Hart of Glasgow mentioned to me about a double-handed transplant, at that moment I laughed and thought it was a kind of space-age thing, but after thinking about it for a while, I talked more with Professor Hart and I went down to Leeds and talked to Professor Kay.
“They were very understanding and very open about what could happen, that they could lose their hands completely, they said it was unlikely but it was a risk.
‘My wife and I talked about it and came to an agreement to do it. I could end up losing my hands anyway, so it was just a matter of letting them know I was going. “
Mr Gallagher, of Dreghorn, North Ayrshire, had to undergo a psychological evaluation to make sure he was ready for the prospect of a transplant.
He then underwent the 12-hour operation in mid-December 2021 after finding a suitable donor.
The Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust hand transplant team, which performed the surgery, said it was the first time in the world that a hand transplant was used to replace terminally affected hands with scleroderma.
Mr Gallagher said: “After the operation I woke up and it was quite surreal because before I had my hands and then when I woke up from the operation I still had hands, so I never lost a hand in my head. .
“These hands are amazing, everything has happened so fast. Ever since I woke up from the operation I have been able to move them.”
Steven Gallagher is photographed holding his dog Skye
More than five months after the operation, his condition improves and although he cannot do tasks that require great skill, such as making buttons, he can do things like turn on the tap and fill a glass of water.
The 48-year-old worked as a tile worker and was appointed deputy director of contracts, but had to stop work due to his condition.
Steven is happy to be able to do everyday things like petting his dog and is constantly improving the dexterity of his new gloves.
He added: “It has given me a new life. I am still finding things difficult now, but things are getting better every week with the physiotherapist and occupational therapists, everything is slowly improving.
‘The pain is great. The pain before the operation was horrible, I was so relieved that the pain was amazing, but now I have no pain. “
Mr Gallagher, who has three daughters aged 12, 24 and 27, spent about four weeks at Leeds General Infirmary after the operation and regularly visits Glasgow hospitals for physiotherapy and follow-up.
More than five months after the operation, his condition improves and, although he cannot do tasks that require great skill, such as making buttons, he can do things such as petting his dog, turn on the tap and fill a glass. of water.
The 48-year-old worked as a tile worker and was appointed deputy director of contracts, but had to stop work due to his condition.
‘The pain is great. The pain before the operation was awful, it was so much to relieve the pain that it was amazing, but now I have no pain.
He now hopes to return to some sort of job once his hands have improved enough, and is very grateful to the person and family of the donor who made the transplant possible.
The surgery featured a team of 30 professionals from many disciplines.
Professor Simon Kay of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “This operation has been a great team effort with input from our colleagues here in Leeds and Glasgow.
“Having a hand transplant is very different from a kidney or other organ transplant, as hands are something we see every day and we use them in many ways.
“That’s why we and our expert clinical psychologists evaluate and prepare patients, to make sure they can cope psychologically with the permanent reminder of their transplant and the risk that the body may reject transplanted hands.”