{"id":3275,"date":"2025-06-13T15:11:24","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T15:11:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthyretirementnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/13\/whole-again-man-receives-double-hand-transplant-after-nearly-17-years\/"},"modified":"2025-06-13T15:11:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T15:11:24","slug":"whole-again-man-receives-double-hand-transplant-after-nearly-17-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyretirementnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/13\/whole-again-man-receives-double-hand-transplant-after-nearly-17-years\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Whole again\u2019: Man receives double hand transplant after nearly 17 years"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/action-bar\/instances\/cmbts55th007f27nkboh75wbn@published\" data-label-id-prefix=\"action-bar-start-of-article\" class=\"action-bar\" data-dynamic-breakpoint-placement=\"{&quot;extraLarge&quot;:{&quot;placement&quot;:&quot;.layout-article-elevate__left&quot;}}\" data-expand-conditions=\"{&quot;follow&quot;:{&quot;extraLarge&quot;:{&quot;alwaysExpand&quot;:true}},&quot;shareOptions&quot;:{&quot;large&quot;:{&quot;maxNumOfActions&quot;:1},&quot;medium&quot;:{&quot;maxNumOfActions&quot;:1},&quot;extraLarge&quot;:{&quot;withAction&quot;:&quot;follow&quot;,&quot;maxNumOfActions&quot;:2}}}\">\n<div class=\"action-bar__overlay\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"action-bar__action-sheet\">\n<div class=\"action-bar__action-sheet--header\">\n<div class=\"action-bar__action-sheet--header-title\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"action-bar__action-sheet--header-close\">                            <\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"action-bar__action-sheet--action\" data-title=\"follow\">\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/follow-topics-bar\/instances\/cmbts55th007j27nkhso3fzyi@published\" data-unauth-redirect=\"\/account\/register\/follow\" data-embed-max-topics=\"\" class=\"follow-topics-bar follow-topics-bar_overlay follow-topics-bar--hide\">\n<div class=\"follow-topics-bar_overlay__inner\">\n<div class=\"follow-topics-bar_overlay__scroll-wrapper\">        <\/div>\n<div class=\"follow-topics-bar_overlay__fade follow-topics-bar_overlay__fade--hide\"><\/div>\n<p>                      See all topics              <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"action-bar__action-sheet--action\" data-title=\"share options\">\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/social-share\/instances\/cmbts55th007i27nk06rkab6k@published\" class=\"social-share_labelled-list\">\n<div class=\"social-share_labelled-list__share-links vossi-social-share_labelled-list\" data-type=\"share-links\">        <button class=\"social-share_labelled-list__share\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dialog\/share?app_id=80401312489&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F06%2F13%2Fhealth%2Fdouble-hand-transplant&amp;display=popup\" data-type=\"facebook\" aria-label=\"share with facebook\" title=\"Share with Facebook\">                                <span class=\"social-share_labelled-list__share-links--label\">Facebook<\/span>        <\/button>        <button class=\"social-share_labelled-list__share\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Check%20out%20this%20article%3A&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F06%2F13%2Fhealth%2Fdouble-hand-transplant\" data-type=\"x\" aria-label=\"share with x\" title=\"Share with X\">                                <span class=\"social-share_labelled-list__share-links--label\">Tweet<\/span>        <\/button>                                        <span class=\"social-share_labelled-list__share-links--label\">Email<\/span>                <button class=\"social-share_labelled-list__share\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/06\/13\/health\/double-hand-transplant\" data-type=\"copy\" aria-label=\"copy link to clipboard\" title=\"Copy link to clipboard\">                                <span class=\"social-share_labelled-list__share-links--label\">Link<\/span>        <\/button>        <\/p>\n<div class=\"social-share_labelled-list__copied\" data-type=\"message\">                        Link Copied!        <\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>    <button class=\"social-share_labelled-list__open\" data-type=\"open\" aria-label=\"open social share\" title=\"Open social share\">            <\/button>    <button class=\"social-share_labelled-list__close\" data-type=\"close\" aria-label=\"close social share\" title=\"Close social share\">            <\/button><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"action-bar__buttons\">            <button class=\"action-bar__button\" data-title=\"follow\">                                        Follow            <\/button>            <button class=\"action-bar__button\" data-title=\"share options\">                                <\/button>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts55th007h27nkdharfd7d@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            There\u2019s a video on Luka Krizanac\u2019s phone that captures him making coffee at home on an espresso machine. It\u2019s the type of video anyone might take to show off a new gadget to friends or recommend a favorite bag of beans. But the normalcy is exactly what makes it extraordinary for Krizanac \u2013 because just a few months ago, he didn\u2019t have hands.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00023b6mdk5t5c7x@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Krizanac lost parts of his arms and legs at age 12 after a mismanaged infection led to sepsis and severe complications that required amputation. Last fall, nearly 17 years later, he received a double hand transplant at Penn Medicine.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00033b6m2tcy3fxi@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Hand transplants are rare: Only 148 had been performed worldwide as of mid-2023, according to one study, and not all were double transplants.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbtsdsfl00043b6mm7jrlo6t@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            More than 20 people were involved in Krizanac\u2019s surgery, which lasted about 12 hours and followed years of practice.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00043b6mi6d17xt8@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            As the anesthesia was wearing off, Krizanac turned to one of the nurses at his bedside and said, \u201cLook how beautiful my hands are.\u201d    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00053b6mohgzhdo4@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            He doesn\u2019t remember that moment \u2013 it was later recounted to him by the nurse \u2013 but the profound sentiment remains.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00063b6m6eh5ffdu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cI don\u2019t mean that just in an aesthetic way, but just a deep feeling of being whole again as a human,\u201d he said.    <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subheader inline-placeholder subheader-elevate vossi-subheader vossi-subheader--size-h2\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/cmbts63iq001a3b6mx75tligw@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" id=\"a-desire-for-independence\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">        A desire for independence<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00083b6mtoo5b129@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            For Krizanac, living without hands was more challenging than living without legs. Hands are required for thousands of essential everyday things, and the prosthetics he had simply couldn\u2019t fill the need as well as the prosthetics he had for his legs, he said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00093b6m6aeber1k@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cI don\u2019t think the question is even, \u2018What can\u2019t you do?\u2019 It\u2019s \u2018How can you live?\u2019 \u201d he said. \u201cWith your legs, you walk. With your hands, you do thousands of things, from eating, taking care of yourself, to cooking, to expressing yourself. So trying to compensate for lack of arms with a plastic robotic hand is just impossible.\u201d    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000a3b6m5jy9fk23@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            The childhood he knew before ceased to exist, and he was confronted with a loss of independence, relying heavily on the strong support of loving family and friends.    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmbu1fi2w00013b6mlxvcncxb@published\" class=\"image_large-elevate image_large__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-name=\"DSC00025.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image_large--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image_large--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image_large--eq-large&quot;: 660}\" data-original-ratio=\"0.668\" data-original-height=\"2004\" data-original-width=\"3000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/dsc00025.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image_large__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image_large--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image_large--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image_large--show-credits&quot;: 525}\">           <\/div>\n<div class=\"image_large__metadata-container media__metadata-container\">\n<div class=\"image_large__metadata media__metadata\">\n<div class=\"image_large__caption attribution\">    <span data-editable=\"metaCaption\" class=\"inline-placeholder\">Luka Krizanac relied on support from family and friends after he lost parts of his limbs at age 12.<\/span>  <\/div><figcaption class=\"image_large__credit\">Courtesy Krizanac family<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000b3b6mp22qjpxw@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cAs you grow up, you want more independence. Naturally, as humans, we should be independent once we grow up,\u201d Krizanac said. \u201cI was not able to achieve that due to lack of working hands. So that need increased, definitely, over time.\u201d    <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subheader inline-placeholder subheader-elevate vossi-subheader vossi-subheader--size-h2\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/cmbts6aik001d3b6mkas6d28r@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" id=\"making-connections\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">        Making connections<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000d3b6m4anbet18@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Krizanac was adamant about not letting his disability define him and maintained a positive outlook by trying to live in the present, but he and his family continued to search for ways to help improve his quality of life.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000e3b6mhd3rtu7n@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            They pursued hand transplantation for years, but numerous obstacles \u2013 including insurance coverage and a lack of access to skilled providers \u2013 stalled progress.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000f3b6madrqbb3z@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cI knew that the solution existed for my problem, and the question was how to reach that solution,\u201d Krizanac said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000g3b6mmvz1narw@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            In 2018, about a decade after he lost his hands, a series of fortuitous connections brought Krizanac from his home in Switzerland to Dr. L. Scott Levin\u2019s office in Philadelphia.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000h3b6mnu9wg116@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Levin, chair emeritus of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and professor of plastic surgery at Penn Medicine, was immediately impressed by Krizanac\u2019s poise, and he quickly endeared himself to the full team.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000i3b6mukn9uxpk@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cFor a variety of reasons, he was a superb candidate for hand transplant,\u201d Levin said. \u201cHe fulfilled every characteristic: intelligent, informed, incredible family support.\u201d    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000j3b6mrotlgvne@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            But another set of challenges \u2013 including a global pandemic and wounds that had developed on Krizanac\u2019s legs \u2013 delayed the process even further.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000k3b6mbpe4vbeb@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cDuring the pandemic, we had to put things on hold,\u201d Levin said. \u201cAnd for the reason that he had open wounds and skin breakdown [on his legs], he would have never been allowed to have his hand transplant, because the open wounds and the risk of infection \u2026 would have prevented us from proceeding.\u201d    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000l3b6mxbd2b939@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            But Levin and a colleague flew out to Switzerland to treat his legs, diving into preparations for the hand transplant once back in Philadelphia while Krizanac healed.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000m3b6mdls1vfi6@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Preparing for a double hand transplant generally takes about two years, barring other complications. But by late 2024, Levin and his team were ready. They had completed more than dozen rehearsal sessions, mapping out the intricate steps needed to blend nerves, muscles, blood vessels and bones.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000n3b6mj22335xx@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Krizanac moved to Philadelphia and did his best to enjoy his stay while anxiously awaiting an update.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000o3b6ms16j91w6@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            The call came on a rainy Sunday afternoon about two months later: There was a match. The Gift of Life, an organ donation program, had found donor hands from a person who had the right skin tone, size and gender \u2013 a unique set of considerations hat can make the match process more complex than some others.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000p3b6mntc97aqc@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            In a matter of minutes, Krizanac was packing up and heading over to the hospital, and he was in his room within an hour.    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmbu35e2700033b6mqybfn8ij@published\" class=\"image_large-elevate image_large__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-name=\"still_21695449_72756.034_still.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image_large--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image_large--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image_large--eq-large&quot;: 660}\" data-original-ratio=\"0.7144799456152278\" data-original-height=\"1051\" data-original-width=\"1471\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/still-21695449-72756-034-still.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image_large__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image_large--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image_large--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image_large--show-credits&quot;: 525}\">           <\/div>\n<div class=\"image_large__metadata-container media__metadata-container\">\n<div class=\"image_large__metadata media__metadata\">\n<div class=\"image_large__caption attribution\">    <span data-editable=\"metaCaption\" class=\"inline-placeholder\">A well-orchestrated medical team \u2013 including plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, transplant specialists, anesthesia and nursing \u2013 worked concurrently on Krizanac and the donor.<\/span>  <\/div><figcaption class=\"image_large__credit\">Courtesy Penn Medicine<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000q3b6mmu1umumy@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cWhen you decided something is right for you over the years and you are determined to work towards this goal, once you get the green light, there is no thinking,\u201d Krizanac said. \u201cI did not have any reservations about the procedure. I was fully confident that after 17 years, I knew what was right for me.\u201d    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000r3b6mvelk2202@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            A well-orchestrated team \u2013 including plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, transplant specialists, anesthesia and nursing \u2013 worked concurrently on Krizanac and the donor.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000s3b6m7mjspaqu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            After blood vessels were sutured together, circulation was monitored with various devices. Nerves take time to regenerate, so it was impossible to know in the operating room whether that part of the operation had been successful.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000t3b6mxm0dia3d@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cWe count on the nerves to regenerate, but that\u2019s not assured. All we can do is technically do the best coaptation, the best nerve repair we can do day of injury with incredible precision using the operating microscope,\u201d Levin said. \u201cWith a little luck, if you will, and careful planning and execution of the operation, the nerves from the donor will grow into the muscles.\u201d    <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subheader inline-placeholder subheader-elevate vossi-subheader vossi-subheader--size-h2\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/cmbts6lmw001g3b6mgmseo846@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" id=\"quality-of-life-is-essential\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">        Quality of life is essential<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000v3b6mgeesmikr@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Today, Krizanac is healing exceptionally well, Levin said. Nerves will continue to grow into his arms, and his recovery will continue to evolve over the next few years.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000w3b6mruemi2b2@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cThe sensation, the ability to feel, improves. His strength gets more. He starts to get back the fine muscles in the hand,\u201d Levin said. \u201cHe\u2019s well on his way. Of all the transplant patients we\u2019ve seen, his neural recovery has been the most accelerated.\u201d    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000x3b6mv2s9kbmb@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            In addition to three or four physical therapy sessions each week, Krizanac is taking a few medications to help keep his body from rejecting the hands \u2013 a regimen similar to that of someone who had a kidney transplant. One of the medications, a calcineurin inhibitor called tacrolimus, has also been found to help with nerve regeneration.    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmbu7fkzj001d3b6mcnfeofvy@published\" class=\"image_large-elevate portrait image_large__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-name=\"DSC00002.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image_large--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image_large--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image_large--eq-large&quot;: 660}\" data-original-ratio=\"1.2501802451333814\" data-original-height=\"3468\" data-original-width=\"2774\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/dsc00002.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image_large__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-breakpoints=\"{&quot;image_large--eq-extra-small&quot;: 115, &quot;image_large--eq-small&quot;: 300, &quot;image_large--show-credits&quot;: 525}\">           <\/div>\n<div class=\"image_large__metadata-container media__metadata-container\">\n<div class=\"image_large__metadata media__metadata\">\n<div class=\"image_large__caption attribution\">    <span data-editable=\"metaCaption\" class=\"inline-placeholder\">Luka Krizanac&#8217;s hands were amputated after he developed a serious infection at age 12. \u201cI knew that the solution existed for my problem, and the question was how to reach that solution,\u201d he said.<\/span>  <\/div><figcaption class=\"image_large__credit\">Bryan Kane\/CNN<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000y3b6mey5g4tp4@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Krizanac feels that he\u2019s on a path toward regaining independence, too. About a month after his surgery, he was using his phone with his new hands. And while washing his hands a few months later, he was surprised when the feeling of cold water made him jump back.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb000z3b6mhov0qh1g@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cI reflexively pulled back from the cold water. And this was really an a-ha moment where I thought, \u2018Oh, my God, I feel the temperature of the water,\u2019\u201d he said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00103b6msfn270y0@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Hand transplantation is considered an elective \u201cquality of life\u201d procedure, but Levin says there\u2019s an obligation for the medical field to provide the same level of care and consideration for patients like Krizanac as there would be for someone who needed a liver transplant \u2013 as long as they are properly prepared and informed.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00113b6mhemidqb1@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cThis is a field of transplantation that must continue to be supported. Our research, our clinical care, our education,\u201d he said. \u201cFor this field to be thwarted by the inability for insurance to pay for this or other agencies to accept it \u2013 for specific patients \u2013 that would be really a crime.\u201d    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00123b6mlequ95sr@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Krizanac has ambitious goals for himself that are starting to feel more real, like hopefully getting a driver\u2019s license. Really, he just wants to be a regular adult guy.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00133b6msx6p4xdx@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cEven though everything is recovering, even though this process is highly complex in terms of surgery and rehabilitation, these are two healthy hands, and it\u2019s just a question of time and commitment until that is regained,\u201d he said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00143b6mludmk51e@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            For now, smaller things bring him great joy. He recorded the video of himself making espresso because he\u2019s honing his skills as an amateur<strong> <\/strong>barista \u2013 a hobby that he wouldn\u2019t have been able to pursue without his hand transplant.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmbts5ijb00153b6mzqd3swtl@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cI\u2019m more of a cappuccino guy, but he can make me espresso anytime he wants,\u201d Levin said.    <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div>This post appeared first on cnn.com<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Link Copied! 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