It's a long road back...

[Eli_Upright12]

I just got back to playing jazz after about 2-3 months off, I broke my right middle finger and the thing was in a splint for 6 weeks and then at least a couple more gaining back strength and flexibility. I forgot how hard it is to build you calluses back up when you just want to jump in and be able to play for an hour, but after ten minutes you have throbbing, blood blistered, red fingers. Well at least my left hand chops are still intact, because I was able to play with the bow and continue studying classical.

[Don Higdon]

Two things I can say with certainty:
1. You can not speed up your recovery.
2. You can slow it down.
You are most vulnerable to injury when coming back from a prior injury. Take it easy. You'll get it back.

[Phil Rowan]

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

Two things I can say with certainty:
1. You can not speed up your recovery.
2. You can slow it down.
You are most vulnerable to injury when coming back from a prior injury. Take it easy. You'll get it back.

+1,000,000,000

Take as much time as you need to fully recover.

[hdiddy]

Is it possible to play with 1 finger only?

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by hdiddy

Is it possible to play with 1 finger only?

See 2. above

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by hdiddy

Is it possible to play with 1 finger only?

It was but cumbersome and difficult with the splint. Thanks for the insight guys, the finger is all healed up now and its just a matter of building back technique and calluses, those are the biggest problem I'm finding so far.

[ZuluFunk]

I broke my left index finger a few years ago. Cracked it badly on the end at the proximal joint. That was 2004 and it still gives me stiffness problems. I broke it just as I was getting into a new band, so I missed just a week of rehearsals. The doctor told me I HAD TO use it (carefully) or I would lose mobility in the joint. I went back to playing and tried to play without the index finger and natural response caused me to slip into using it and WOW the pain. I worked through it and toughed it out along the lines of the doctor's guidance.

In that situation, any playing is good playing. If you're an athlete with a torn calf, you need to get in the gym and work what you can work while you're on the DL or your whole game will go to heck.

Everything within what the doctor will allow you to do. Yeah, any injury sucks. But NOT being able to play often gives you a bit of the "fire" to work hard when you're able.

[charlespf]

Eli man, I'm sorry to hear about your injury and that you're hurting.
Just wanted to say good luck making it back, and that I'm feeling for you.