My mom had a very similar accident many years ago. Her thumb was basically completely severed (saving the gory details); I don't know how severe Rich's injury was in comparison. It took my mom roughly six months to make a nearly-full recovery, and she never regained the full use of her thumb she had pre-injury. Obviously I can't speak to Rich's injury, but I'm a little surprised he managed to post a comic this soon. I fully expected the comic to resume in March/April.