Buddy Valastro Undergoes Final Surgery After Serious 2020 Hand Injury

• A metal rod from a bowling pinsetter impaled his right hand in a 2020 home accident.
• He required five reconstructive surgeries over five years to regain full hand function.
• Valastro credited his recovery to his surgeon, Dr. Carlson, and occupational therapist Deana Swanson.
• His determination and intensive therapy allowed a return to high-level cake decorating.
• Valastro maintained a positive, resilient outlook throughout his lengthy recovery process.

Buddy Valastro, the beloved star of TLC “Cake Boss,” has faced a challenging journey since a horrific accident in 2020 threatened the very hands that built his empire. The celebrity baker, known for his boundless energy and intricate cake designs, saw his world shift in an instant while attempting a simple home repair.

Now, nearly five years after the life-altering event, Valastro has successfully undergone his fifth and final reconstructive surgery, marking the end of a long and painful chapter and the beginning of a full recovery.

The Freak Accident That Threatened a Career

The incident occurred in September 2020 at Valastro’s New Jersey home, where he was attempting to fix a malfunctioning pinsetter on his personal bowling alley. As he tried to release a bowling pin from the cage mechanism, his right hand became lodged and compressed inside the unit.

Trapped and unable to free himself, the baker was forced to watch in horror as a inch-and-a-half metal rod slowly and repeatedly impaled his hand three times between his ring and middle finger. He remained stuck for nearly five minutes before his quick-thinking teenage sons, Buddy Jr. and Marco, used a reciprocating saw to cut through the rod and free their father. The severe injury not only involved the impalement but also shattered his thumb and broke his ring finger.

A Daunting Five-Surgery Reconstruction Journey

Valastro’s path to healing was extensive, requiring multiple complex procedures to restore function to his dominant hand. He was treated by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michelle Carlson at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. His initial surgeries were closely spaced to address the immediate trauma, which included significant damage to tendons and bones.

The most recent procedure, performed in October 2025, was announced as his fifth and final surgery. This last operation aimed to correct a specific issue where a tendon had healed on the wrong side of his knuckle, causing his finger to bend permanently to the right—a condition he light-heartedly referred to as having a “Dr. Spock” hand.

The Grueling Process of Rehabilitation and Recovery

The physical therapy process was a monumental effort led by occupational therapist Deana Swanson. Valastro began therapy about three weeks after his first surgery, starting with minimal strength and dealing with significant swelling that made his hand appear “like a balloon”.

His rehabilitation involved painstaking exercises, from picking up little pegs to mimicking the precise motions needed for baking, such as squeezing a piping bag and sculpting fondant flowers. Valastro described himself as a “high-level athlete” in his field and was deeply motivated, though he admitted the toughest part was the fear of never returning to his original level of craftsmanship.

An Unbreakable Spirit and Triumphant Return

Throughout the entire ordeal, Valastro’s spirit remained remarkably resilient. Just days after his final surgery in late October 2025, he was already back in the kitchen, decorating an anniversary cake for his wife with his hand bandaged. He shared his progress with fans on Instagram, thanking them for their support and writing, “A surgery slowing me down??? Fuggetaboutit!!”.

His optimism and dedication were fueled by the support of his family and medical team. He now feels that his hand functionality has returned to about 90-95%, allowing him to once again create the elaborate cakes that made him famous.

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Last Updated on October 20, 2025 by 247 News Around The World