In a first appearance after the operation, the recipient of a rare double hand transplant has shown the world that he can curl his fingers and make half a fist.

Richard Edwards underwent an 18-hour transplant procedure at a hospital in Louisville about a week ago.

The 55-year-old chiropractor from Edmond, Oklahoma, had his hands severely burned in a fire in 2006. I feel fantastic," the Telegraph quoted him as telling the Louisville Courier-Journal.

"I'm feeling very blessed and thankful for having a new pair of hands," he added.

Doctors have said Edwards' progress is ahead of other patients because they were able to route his existing nerves into the donor hands.

Edwards was the country's third double hand transplant recipient. (ANI)