Pinky Surgery...What Next?

fretlessguy · #1 07-01-2011, 08:34 AM

On July 25th I will have surgery on my left fretting pinky finger tip joint. I have arthritis in the joint and most of the cartlidge is about gone, and there is also a cyst that there that needs to go as well. I have actually had little pain through the experience, but the side of my pinkiy really gets tight and is hard to bend.
My surgeon says that the tip joint will need to be fused together with wire and a titanium screw in the tip of the pinky bone that will anchor it to the middle bone, losing all movement of the finger tip forever. He has also said I'll need physical therapy. And...no playing for 3 months.

Possible side effects: permanent loss of the nail.

My hands are small and my pinkies are abnormally short compared to the rest of my fingers, I currently must use a 1, 2 and 4 finger arrangement to play a 3 fret stretch on a 34 inch scale bass, which I prefer.
Will I still be able to play? What adjustments, if you have been through this, will I have to make?
My short scales and maybe a Kala U bass seem to be my future....

john grey · #2 07-01-2011, 10:57 AM

I've been a welder for a great many years and messed up both hands at times fairly viciously. I have a close friend who plays acoustic guitar and banjo and he is a mechanic and has messed up his paws big-time. You will come back to playing just as well or better.

The issue (IMO) is the desire and the fire in your gut; not your paws. You will find ways to work around the injury - no question....IF you really want to. Many people play very well with 3 fingers - FROM THE START. My point is that all too often we assume the logical: that since we use our hands, any injury to them will have a drastic affect on our ability to play. It DOES add a challenge, during the time of adjustment and recuperation. However, if you REALLY want to play it often makes you a better player because it forces you to attend in idiosyncrasies within the injury and your musical expression. Recuperation from surgery is faster than an "injury" due to the sterile elements in the phenomenon. Speak with the doctor and ask him if during those 90 days if the use of the entire hand must be halted. Remember that a surgeon may not be aware of all the issues in playing a stringed instrument or adjusting to an injury via continuing to use the unaffected fingers.
If you are advised to not use the hand what so ever...Then it's time to learn new picking, slapping, plucking right-hand techniques.

You'll do OK IF you WANT to play. Think of times when you've overcome challenges in the past. It's a challenge that you will overcome.

BigOldHarry · #3 07-01-2011, 10:59 AM

Ouch

I have a cyst on my left pinky near the hand - causes some pain when I play... I've been putting off the knife but I may have no choice...

Get old sucks.

Cycho · #4 07-01-2011, 11:09 AM

Arthritis has robbed me of the use of my little finger also. For a while I was taping the joint but that was clumsy. I finally learned to fret with only three fingers which I thought would be very difficult but actually went fairly quickly. Of course it's not as good as using all four fingers but it's the best I can do now.

AFRO · #5 07-06-2011, 06:32 PM

I am not arthritic or have any hand probs (knock wood) but I have had surgery.
I am just here to say, that Three months is three months, dont ruin your future playing 'cus you did not want to properly rehab after something as serious as surgery.

Do the crummy rehab as directed and dont do anything TOO fast. let it heal before you put it through vigorous Bass shredding sessions.
just be smart dude! patience can be a rewarding virtue.

Stones_Fan · #6 07-11-2011, 06:32 AM

Like others have said you may have to change your technique a bit. It's amazing what some musicians have accomplished when faced with adversity. Django Reinhardt was told he would never play guitar again after being badly injured in a fire. He went on to record some of the most incredible jazz guitar solos ever using only two fingers of his fretting hand! Tony Iommi lost the tips of his fingers in a sheet metal factory. He constructed leather thimbles to extend his fingers and heavy metal was born. Improvise, adapt and overcome.

keyofnight · #7 07-11-2011, 07:18 PM

I don't have any problems with arthritis yet—I'm too young expect artritis, and I'm lucky enough not to have problems with arthritis at a younger age (I know people who do). I think I can offer a little advice though: your physical therapist might be able to change your treatment routine so that you can regain that kind of mobility in your pinky. You should definitely let them know you want to play bass and ask them if they have special exercises that help instrument players get back on their feet... —they may even be able to give you exercises you can do after treatment has ended, too.

Keep us updated, man—we're rooting for you.

Jepus · #8 07-11-2011, 07:20 PM

I have no movement in the upper joint of my pinky on my fretting hand. Got it caught in a gate as a kid and crushed it off! Luckily they could reattach it.

As others have said, just find a way to play that's comfortable for you. Chris Poland has problems with his fingers on his fretting hand and it's not held him back in the slightest.