World's first arm transplant man says he enjoys scratching

Melbourne, July 23 (ANI): A dairy farmer is now able to scratch, wash and eat by himself for the first time in seven years after receiving the world's first transplant of two complete arms.

Karl Merk underwent the 15-hour surgery after his body refused to accept artificial limbs.

According to The BBC, the 55-year-old, who lost his arms just below the shoulder in a combine harvester accident in 2002, was operated in Munich, Germany, reports The Daily Telegraph.

And a year after the operation, Merk can now open doors easily, eat without help, ride a bike and wash himself.

Merk, who had spent six years without arms, told a news conference: "I can scratch myself if it itches somewhere. It feels pretty good, almost like a new person."

He added: "It's getting a little better every day. It is impossible to describe this to someone who has never experienced having to live without arms for six years without being able to do anything. And now all of a sudden it works again - indescribable." (ANI)