A dad whose hands were left unusable by scleroderma has been given a new lease of life after what is believed to be the world’s first double hand transplant for the condition.
Steven Gallagher, 48, was diagnosed with the auto-immune disease that causes scarring of the skin and internal organs, after he developed an unusual rash about 13 years ago.
About seven years ago, the Ayrshire man's fingers started curling in until they were in a fist position and he was suffering “horrendous” pain.
When experts suggested the idea of a double hand transplant the father-of-three initially dismissed the idea but decided to go ahead despite the risks.
Steven, from Dreghorn, Ayrshire, said: “When Professor Hart in Glasgow mentioned to me about a double hand transplant, at the time I laughed and thought that’s space age kind of things but, after thinking about it for a wee while, I spoke more to Professor Hart, and I went down to Leeds and spoke to Professor Kay.
“They were really understanding and were really open about what might happen, that I could lose my hands altogether. They said it was unlikely but it was a risk.
“My wife and I spoke about it and came to the agreement to go for it. I could end up losing my hands anyway, so it was just a case of letting them know I was going to go with it.”
Steven had to undergo psychological evaluation to ensure he was prepared for the prospect of a transplant.
He then underwent the 12-hour operation in mid-December 2021 after a suitable donor was found.
The hand transplant team at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, which carried out the surgery, said it was the first time anywhere in the world that hand transplantation had been used to replace hands terminally affected by scleroderma.
Steven said: “After the operation I woke up and it was quite surreal because before it I had my hands and then when I woke up from the operation I still had hands so in my head I never really lost any hands.
“These hands are amazing, everything has happened so quickly. From the moment I woke up from the operation I could move them.” He added: “It has given me a new lease of life. The pain before the operation was horrendous, I was on so much pain relief it was unbelievable, but now I’ve no pain at all.”
Steven spent about four weeks in Leeds General Infirmary following the operation and has regular visits to hospitals in Glasgow for physiotherapy and monitoring.
His condition is improving and although he cannot do tasks requiring great dexterity, such as doing up buttons, he can do things like turn on a tap and fill a glass of water.
The 48-year-old worked as a roof tiler and was made assistant contracts manager but had to stop work due to his condition.
He is now hoping to return to some kind of work once his hands have improved enough, and is very grateful to the donor who made the transplant possible.
Professor Simon Kay, of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We and our expert clinical psychologists assess and prepare patients, in order to be sure that they will be able to cope psychologically with the permanent reminder of their transplant.”
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