Morgan Freeman's left hand was severely injured in a serious car accident in 2008, which caused significant nerve damage and paralysis. The accident occurred in Mississippi when the car he was driving flipped multiple times, requiring the use of the "jaws of life" to rescue him from the vehicle. He sustained a broken left shoulder, arm, and elbow, and underwent surgery lasting several hours to repair nerve damage. Despite surgery and rehabilitation efforts, the nerve damage left his left hand immobile and paralyzed
. Because of the paralysis, Freeman wears a compression glove on his left hand to stimulate blood flow and prevent swelling, as he cannot move the hand. He has been seen wearing this glove at various public appearances, including the Oscars and the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony. The glove is not covering a prosthetic limb; his hand remains but is paralyzed
. Additionally, Freeman was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) after the accident, which led to him receiving a pacemaker. The nerve injury also caused ongoing pain and neuralgia, impacting his activities such as sailing, which he eventually gave up due to the injury
. In summary, Morgan Freeman's hand injury is the result of a devastating 2008 car crash that left his left hand paralyzed due to nerve damage, necessitating the use of a compression glove to manage the condition