Completely disagree. I had a hand injury as an infant that resulted in my parents being given the same decision to make - repair the fingers and hope for functionality or amputate. They chose to repair, of course they did. It has lead to 20+ surgeries, unbelievable nerve pain my entire life, and zero functionality. I have consistently asked for the fingers to be amputated, but at this point it’s considered elective amputation and worthy of a call to a psych to have me checked out, despite the pain. I would give anything to go back to that time and have my parents choose amputation. But of course, not knowing the pain, I would probably be upset with them for choosing that option as well
It may seem like this player is “choosing” to forego restorative surgery just so he can play in the Olympics, but this article is probably not presenting all of the information that he was given by his doctors, and his choice may have nothing to do with playing right now, but rather the longer outcome of his health. Just because he’s explaining that a benefit of this choice is that he can play right now doesn’t mean that is the complete reason he chose it.
It was a choice MOST medical amputees get: Do you want a fucked up limb or want it gone?
No injury heals perfectly even in children, let alone adults. It is a perfectly reasonable question where amputation can lead to LESS pain and suffering in the future.
Fair enough, maybe saying “without any medical necessity” was over the top here.
Still, it very much seems like the decision was motivated by the desire to particapate in the Olympics. The medically sound thing would be to try and fix the finger and amputate it when it doesn’t work out.
But of course information is limited and it’s all speculation. Still, an ethics investigation would seem appropriate in my opinion.
Please read my other comment, as someone with actual first hand experience in hand injuries that result in the choice between restorative surgery or amputation.
You make that choice when deciding which way to go initially. It’s not a painting that you can decide "ya know what, this isn’t working out, let’s go back to the other way we thought ". Once you go down the restorative surgery route, that’s your route. And any pain you experience gets dealt with medically. Believe me, I’ve tried telling every doctor I know that the nerve pain I experience is to much to much to bear and to please go back and amputate instead, but at this point it’s considered an elective amputation.
Just because he’s explaining that a benefit of this choice is that he can play doesn’t mean it was the complete reason for his choice
I get your point and you also pointed out in your other reply that we don’t know all the information here.
I had “stenosing tenosynovitis” as a child. And while it can resolve itself, my parents opted for the surgery. And it worked out fine. Yes, it’s not quite the same, but people have different expirences.
That’s exactly why I think there needs to be some kind of investigation.
Completely disagree. If this had happened at any other time other than two weeks before the games and he made the same decision, would you also be saying there needs to be an investigation?
This was such a severe injury that looking at it caused him to pass out. It’s not like it was a simple fracture and the time to heal would have caused him to miss the game so he strong armed someone into amputation. This was such a severe injury that amputation was a viable option, and that’s what he chose.
Hockey players are another breed. Not agreeing with his decision but also not that surprised.
Also, “sets exactly a good precedent”? I don’t see why this man should be expected to make personal/medical decisions based on “setting a good precedent”.
I wonder if the olympic comittee should ban him from playing in order to discourage this kind of thing in the future.
Completely disagree. I had a hand injury as an infant that resulted in my parents being given the same decision to make - repair the fingers and hope for functionality or amputate. They chose to repair, of course they did. It has lead to 20+ surgeries, unbelievable nerve pain my entire life, and zero functionality. I have consistently asked for the fingers to be amputated, but at this point it’s considered elective amputation and worthy of a call to a psych to have me checked out, despite the pain. I would give anything to go back to that time and have my parents choose amputation. But of course, not knowing the pain, I would probably be upset with them for choosing that option as well
It may seem like this player is “choosing” to forego restorative surgery just so he can play in the Olympics, but this article is probably not presenting all of the information that he was given by his doctors, and his choice may have nothing to do with playing right now, but rather the longer outcome of his health. Just because he’s explaining that a benefit of this choice is that he can play right now doesn’t mean that is the complete reason he chose it.
Also someone should look into a the doctor that performed the surgery without any medical necessity.
It was a choice MOST medical amputees get: Do you want a fucked up limb or want it gone?
No injury heals perfectly even in children, let alone adults. It is a perfectly reasonable question where amputation can lead to LESS pain and suffering in the future.
Fair enough, maybe saying “without any medical necessity” was over the top here.
Still, it very much seems like the decision was motivated by the desire to particapate in the Olympics. The medically sound thing would be to try and fix the finger and amputate it when it doesn’t work out.
But of course information is limited and it’s all speculation. Still, an ethics investigation would seem appropriate in my opinion.
Please read my other comment, as someone with actual first hand experience in hand injuries that result in the choice between restorative surgery or amputation.
You make that choice when deciding which way to go initially. It’s not a painting that you can decide "ya know what, this isn’t working out, let’s go back to the other way we thought ". Once you go down the restorative surgery route, that’s your route. And any pain you experience gets dealt with medically. Believe me, I’ve tried telling every doctor I know that the nerve pain I experience is to much to much to bear and to please go back and amputate instead, but at this point it’s considered an elective amputation.
Just because he’s explaining that a benefit of this choice is that he can play doesn’t mean it was the complete reason for his choice
I get your point and you also pointed out in your other reply that we don’t know all the information here.
I had “stenosing tenosynovitis” as a child. And while it can resolve itself, my parents opted for the surgery. And it worked out fine. Yes, it’s not quite the same, but people have different expirences.
That’s exactly why I think there needs to be some kind of investigation.
Completely disagree. If this had happened at any other time other than two weeks before the games and he made the same decision, would you also be saying there needs to be an investigation?
This was such a severe injury that looking at it caused him to pass out. It’s not like it was a simple fracture and the time to heal would have caused him to miss the game so he strong armed someone into amputation. This was such a severe injury that amputation was a viable option, and that’s what he chose.
Why? Personal choice. No one forced him.
Yes, no one person forced him. But career pressure and fomo did. And I don’t think that sets exactly a good precedent.
I’d give my finger to be in the olympics. Already lost a finger in an accident and doesn’t change much 🤷
Hockey players are another breed. Not agreeing with his decision but also not that surprised.
Also, “sets exactly a good precedent”? I don’t see why this man should be expected to make personal/medical decisions based on “setting a good precedent”.
The same applies for doping.
Professional sports aren’t healthy for the gladia… athletes, but maybe there are some lines which shouldn’t be crossed to prevent the worst?