Karl Merk, First Double Arm Transplant Patient, Moves Fingers

Karl Merk, who received the world's first complete double arm transplant, moved the fingers on his left hand on Monday, July 20, 2009. This exciting news comes one year after Karl Merk's operation in July 2008, when five teams of medical professionals, including 40 surgeons, spent 15-hours transplanting two whole arms onto his body. 

Merk, 54, is a German farmer who lost both of his arms approximately seven years ago after an accident with a corn shredder.

Merk's transplant began to show its first signs of success within a few months. Merk made his first public appearance in October 2008, when he had acquired enough mobility to perform simple tasks, such as opening doors.

The team of medical experts at a hospital in Munich conducted the succesful operation after conducting numerous tests on rats, dogs, and other animals. The Munich hospital now hopes to establish a center of limb reconstruction.