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Lawrence Lubbers M.D. and the Extreme Makeover: Hand Edition
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During an accident on the set of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, carpenter Ed Sanders was involved in a potentially devastating hand injury. Fortunately, the Whitehall Fire Department EMTs present during the filming were aware of the experience and skill level of the physicians of Hand and Microsurgery Associates. During his transportation, Ed was comforted with the fact that experienced Trauma Hand Surgeons were available to care for him and his hand.
‘EXTREME MAKEOVER’ VISIT
Carpenter slices hand during project
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Dennis Fiely
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ed Sanders, a carpenter, awaits a physical-therapy session at Hand and Microsurgery Associates in Columbus.
An unexpected subplot emerged during the weekend on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition when a cast member suffered a serious hand injury while working in Whitehall.
"It’s going to be a big part of the show," Ed Sanders said yesterday during his first physical-therapy session at Hand and Microsurgery Associates on the Northwest Side.
The actor and carpenter, 31, was helping to put the finishing touches on the home of Jason and Kirsti Thomas on Saturday when he accidentally sliced the width of his left palm with the blade of an electric saw.
Medics rushed Sanders to the emergency room at Riverside Methodist Hospital, where he underwent four hours of surgery.
A camera crew documented his operation and recovery, Riverside spokeswoman Christina Fitzer said.
The additional footage includes a bedside visit from Ty Pennington, host of the ABC reality show.
On Sunday, the show concluded six days of shooting in the Columbus area — with the two-hour episode about the construction of the Thomas home expected to air in February.
Mr. Thomas, a 32-year-old father of five, is a former Marine who helped rescue police officers from the World Trade Center rubble after the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001.
The new twist adds medical drama to the story line.
Dr. Lawrence Lubbers repaired dozens of severed nerves, tendons and arteries in Sanders’ hand.
"Anytime someone takes on a . . . blade that’s moving at 11,000 rpm like Ed did, it’s going to be a bad injury," Lubbers said. "But it’s not uncommon for our practice. I saw three similar injuries last weekend."
Sanders was sculpting a U.S. flag in wood for the Thomas dining room when the accident occurred.
"It was horrendous," he said. "It took a massive load of meat out of my hand. I was sure my carpentry and acting careers were done and dusted."
Still, Lubbers said, Sanders should eventually expect "nearnormal function" in the hand.
"We were able to repair all of the structures precisely, but 50 percent of his outcome will depend on his rehabilitation. He needs to really work hard with his therapists."
Sanders was scheduled to fly home to Los Angeles today, Fitzer said, but might return to Columbus for checkups or more therapy.
Despite the dramatic premise of completing ambitious remodeling projects in five days, Sanders said, haste didn’t play a role in the accident.
"I never rush a project, and we have loads of guys to help."
He blamed himself for removing the safety guard.
"I want to get this message across to the audience: Don’t ever do that."
His only previous showrelated problem, he said, was a staph infection that developed from a foot blister.
Sanders grimaced in pain yesterday as therapist Kathy Villacres slowly removed his bandages.
"Oh, my God," he said upon inspecting the wound. "The fact that he (Lubbers) put everything back together is amazing."
The native of London, England, recently completed his second season with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
As of yesterday, he hadn’t told his wife about the severity of his injury.
"She’s pregnant with triplets, and I don’t want to upset her," he said. "She’s already had two miscarriages."
Sanders, who didn’t require a skin graft, has full movement in his fingers.
"It could have been worse," he said. "It could have left a couple of fingers on the floor."
dfiely@dispatch.com
Copyright © 2006, The Columbus Dispatch
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KEEP YOUR HANDS SAFE: FOLLOW LAWNMOWER SAFETY TIPS
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Each year more than 74,000 children and adults are injured due to the improper handling of lawnmowers. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand has provided the following lawnmower safety recommendations to try to avoid these injuries.
REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:
Read your instruction manual prior to use. DO NOT REMOVE safety devices or guards.
NEVER insert hands or feet into the mower to remove grass or debris. Even with the motor turned off the blade remains engaged.
ALWAYS use a stick or broom handle to remove any obstruction.
NEVER cut grass when it is wet or when the ground is damp.
NEVER allow a child to operate the mower at any time or be in the area to be mowed.
NEVER ALLOW PASSENGERS, OTHER THAN THE OPERATOR, ON RIDING MOWERS.
Keep your mower in good working order with sharp blades.
DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL before or while using your lawnmower.
Wear protective boots, goggles, gloves and long pants. Do not operate the lawnmower while barefoot.
Be cautious when mowing hills or slopes.
REMEMBER--SAFETY FIRST AT ALL TIMES!
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Arm Reattachment Successful following Amputation at Work
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A Springfield, Ohio man suffered a traumatic amputation of his left forearm due to a work-related accident. Dr. Paul Cook of Hand and Microsurgery Associates performed the successful replantation surgery in Columbus. The rehabilitation process has already started at Columbus Hand Therapy.
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