Ronald Thurman, 56, underwent an innovative transplant at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Ky., in February and has spent several weeks learning to control his new hand.

Thurman's dominant right hand was amputated at the wrist after a 2003 accident, and he had been wearing a low-elbow prosthesis.

Since the 16-hour surgery, Thurman has relearned how to brush his hair, tie his shoes and hold his toothbrush, WHAS-TV reported.

He said he's looking forward to being home in his own bed and someday wants to play golf again.

The Louisville Vascularized Composite Allograft Program team pioneered the hand transplant procedure and has been performing hand transplants since 1999, the longest in the United States, the hospital said.

Thurman, who is expected to come home next week, said he'd never heard of a hand transplant until he read an article last year.

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