On Sept 28, I injured my right index finger and accompanying knuckle. This is my plucking hand. I heard something pop down in the knuckle, and soon thereafter the swelling, tenderness, and diminished finger movement followed. I could move it up and down, but when making a grip, the index would collapse into the middle finger. A visit to the local quick clinic for xrays produced no evidence of fractures. They said I probably just jammed it really bad and that in a week or so I should notice significant improvement.
The following Sunday, the swelling continued, and though the pain and stiffness subsided throughout the week, that morning when I was to play, all the symptoms worsened. Our pianist is also a local surgeon. He looked at it and said get more xrays from my regular physician. I toughed out the service Jamerson-ing my songs with the index curled up next to my middle finger like a hook. A couple of quick riffs were difficult, but overall, I got the job done.
I went in for my appointment a couple of days ago and the second round of xrays still showed no fractures. But my primary care doc said it’s probably a partial tendon tear across the outside of the index knuckle, something that doesn’t merit surgery but requires proper healing with a brace and taking it easy for 5-6 weeks. By “taking it easy” I asked if that meant not playing my bass at all. He said yes initially, but then he qualified this opinion that I could if I found another way around using my right index finger and if I will stop playing if I feel any discomfort.
I found that I can manage with my middle and ring fingers alternating just like my index-middle normally would. It doesn’t feel quite the same, but so long as I’m not doing anything exotic, it works. I’m also trying to incorporate my thumb more than I have in the past. Pick play seems to be out because of the gripping issues. I’ve also put on lighter-gauge strings.
My problem is: am I adding to my toolbox of tricks by adapting around my injury, or will I potentially hinder my technique moving everything a digit over? I do intend to cut way back on my practice/noodling time to only what is necessary to prepare for Sunday mornings. I hate to tell them I’ll be out for a month and a half, especially with so few gigging opportunities available right now. Almost all of the congregation attends via Facebook live streaming, so it’s a very safe, low-stress opportunity to keep up with other musicians in a consistent band context. I would identify myself as an intermediate-level player after 3 years taking up the instrument if this is relevant.
5-6 weeks isn’t very long, but I am addicted to bass. It would be very difficult for me not to play at all. It’s how I decompress away from my office.
The following Sunday, the swelling continued, and though the pain and stiffness subsided throughout the week, that morning when I was to play, all the symptoms worsened. Our pianist is also a local surgeon. He looked at it and said get more xrays from my regular physician. I toughed out the service Jamerson-ing my songs with the index curled up next to my middle finger like a hook. A couple of quick riffs were difficult, but overall, I got the job done.
I went in for my appointment a couple of days ago and the second round of xrays still showed no fractures. But my primary care doc said it’s probably a partial tendon tear across the outside of the index knuckle, something that doesn’t merit surgery but requires proper healing with a brace and taking it easy for 5-6 weeks. By “taking it easy” I asked if that meant not playing my bass at all. He said yes initially, but then he qualified this opinion that I could if I found another way around using my right index finger and if I will stop playing if I feel any discomfort.
I found that I can manage with my middle and ring fingers alternating just like my index-middle normally would. It doesn’t feel quite the same, but so long as I’m not doing anything exotic, it works. I’m also trying to incorporate my thumb more than I have in the past. Pick play seems to be out because of the gripping issues. I’ve also put on lighter-gauge strings.
My problem is: am I adding to my toolbox of tricks by adapting around my injury, or will I potentially hinder my technique moving everything a digit over? I do intend to cut way back on my practice/noodling time to only what is necessary to prepare for Sunday mornings. I hate to tell them I’ll be out for a month and a half, especially with so few gigging opportunities available right now. Almost all of the congregation attends via Facebook live streaming, so it’s a very safe, low-stress opportunity to keep up with other musicians in a consistent band context. I would identify myself as an intermediate-level player after 3 years taking up the instrument if this is relevant.
5-6 weeks isn’t very long, but I am addicted to bass. It would be very difficult for me not to play at all. It’s how I decompress away from my office.
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Never underestimate the thumb, if ya can swing it 
Now that’s making it work!
