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Broken Thumb :(

B

bassman021

Guest
Jan 14, 2014
5
2
New York State
#1
Just broke my left thumb at the joint (fracture went into the joint) about 5 days ago while I was skiing!
Kind of hurt like a jammed finger would when it happened so didn't think it would be a big deal at the time, but got an x-ray on it and yup it's broken.
Had to cancel on a solid amount of gigs this week and next week.
Right now it doesn't really hurt at all, is swollen and bruised, and don't have much mobility in my thumb.

After just 5 days, I'm already going crazy not being able to play! Seeing a hand specialist next week. But, was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation as me?
How long did it take to safely start playing again?
How long until you were back to the way you played before after the recovery time?

I play both upright and electric so any responses relating to both of these would be great!

Thanks!
 
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#5
bassman021 said:
Just broke my left thumb at the joint (fracture went into the joint) about 5 days ago while I was skiing!
Kind of hurt like a jammed finger would when it happened so didn't think it would be a big deal at the time, but got an x-ray on it and yup it's broken.
Had to cancel on a solid amount of gigs this week and next week.
Right now it doesn't really hurt at all, is swollen and bruised, and don't have much mobility in my thumb.

After just 5 days, I'm already going crazy not being able to play! Seeing a hand specialist next week. But, was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation as me?
How long did it take to safely start playing again?
How long until you were back to the way you played before after the recovery time?

I play both upright and electric so any responses relating to both of these would be great!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Bummer. I guess there's not much you could have done to avoid that aside form giving up living life, but I know that I'm increasingly careful about doing anything that may harm my hands these days (a lot more glove wearing in the yard and shop).

Sorry, I got nothing on expected recovery time or approach - I suspect you should be talking to your doctor about that.

Take the time to work on your vocals, song writing, theory or even some instrument maintenance. Assuming you're a righty, work on your plucking technique - there's plenty you can do on open strings in that arena. If you keep busy on other stuff, you may not feel quite as lost and helpless.

Maybe you can work the sound for your gigs since you can't play, so you still feel like part of it?

Best of luck on a speedy recovery!
 
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#9
Man! We're really sorry for ya with your broken thumb! OUCH! And we could stop there..........................but, you can't play bass now!

With your thumb all wrapped up/and or your hand, there's just nothing you can do. Unless if you use high volume and hammer ons playing with your left hand only.

Dunno. Give it time to heal. What other choice is there?

broken_thumb_with_cast-1200x628-facebook.jpg
 
#12
Practice patience and give it time to heal.

I've broken 3 fingers now (luckily not a thumb yet), but two of them I let heal and didn't rush it and they're now fine. For the other, I played a show with it in a splint later that same week and then again the following weekend, that joint is now double the size of it's right handed counterpart and it aches to the point of kinesio taping loops and X-shapes around the joint before playing. It developed a floating bone chip that it now permanent and will not reattach since my body thinks the healing process is complete.

I learned the hard way that some injuries are forever if you don't heal right the first time, don't do the same. Wishing you a full recovery brother :thumbsup:
 
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#13
Do exactly what the hand specialist (hopefully one who's familiar with musicians' particular issues) tells you to do. Get all the PT you can. Don't even try to play until you get approval from both, and then take it easy as your mobility returns. You may also have to decide which is more important; skiing or bass playing.
 
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#14
bassman021 said:
Just broke my left thumb at the joint (fracture went into the joint) about 5 days ago while I was skiing!
Kind of hurt like a jammed finger would when it happened so didn't think it would be a big deal at the time, but got an x-ray on it and yup it's broken.
Had to cancel on a solid amount of gigs this week and next week.
Right now it doesn't really hurt at all, is swollen and bruised, and don't have much mobility in my thumb.

After just 5 days, I'm already going crazy not being able to play! Seeing a hand specialist next week. But, was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation as me?
How long did it take to safely start playing again?
How long until you were back to the way you played before after the recovery time?

I play both upright and electric so any responses relating to both of these would be great!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Just play without your thumb. It's not like you actually squeeze the neck anyway. Fretting is all forearm and finger strength. You can do it.
 
#17
If you’re gonna go with the “proper technique” suggestion, you may want to lower your action a bit, turn up the amp, and pluck softer. Nothing sucks more than trying to fret high action with minimal thumb useage. Gradually raise it back to normal after you get used to it. Or not. I mean... What do I know? If it were me, I would bury my head in a DAW and lay some midi tracks until fully recovered.
 
#18
I know it's apples and oranges, but I got my right leg broken just below the knee a couple of years ago. An hydraulic press collapsed onto me like a trailer load of junk. The doctor told me to stay off it for about 6 weeks, I was back to work in 5. Unfortunately, the accident also ripped open my upper thigh, which took longer to heal but I have a nifty scar now. It also reaffirmed my faith in my animal-like reflexes; somehow I managed to not be directly under/in front of the press a split second before it started to collapse. I move fast, but not that fast; I have an additional scar on my back which I can't account for. Since I wasn't killed outright, I consider myself lucky. I was 65.

I was able to walk around within about 3 weeks, though it hurt. I felt that the exercise helped me recover faster. Hey, pain is just an illusion anyway.

As has been said, obey your doctors advice, and good luck.

Tom
 
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#20
I jammed my right thumb skiing— hurt so much I almost puked on the snow ( MT Snow Vermont). Couldn’t grip the ski pole.

I had a hard time playing for a couple of days, but it was not broken.
Did a gig a week later without anchoring my thumb in my usual way.

I’m a thumb behind the neck player, so if it were my left thumb- I’d be screwed.
Upright— no way.

I hope you recover quickly and 100%—
Ibuprofen and ice ( or heat if it’s better for you). Some say alternate heat and cold.
 

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