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Finger Fusion Surgery - worth it to play again?

Road Hat

Road Hat

Oct 9, 2008
771
1,863
#1
I've got crippling arthritis in my fingers, especially the first two on the right hand, that has left me unable to play without a LOT of pain. I haven't been able to really play bass (other than whole or half notes) for almost two years. No fun. Frankly, I'd resigned myself to not being able to play bass again, but after recent discussions with a new doctor, there seems to be hope. He said that he could perform a fusion of the knuckles nearest the fingernail, and that he could fuse them in 'playing' position.

So, does anyone have experience with this kind of surgery? The rehab, etc., is pretty arduous, but the thought of a) no more pain or deformation/nodules and b) that I could possibly play again has me pretty excited. I'm not sure how well I would be able to play with fused fingers, but heck, maybe I need to slow down anyway (having been accused in the past of overplaying).

What say ye?

Thanks,

Greg
 
#2
Road Hat said:
I've got crippling arthritis in my fingers, especially the first two on the right hand, that has left me unable to play without a LOT of pain. I haven't been able to really play bass (other than whole or half notes) for almost two years. No fun. Frankly, I'd resigned myself to not being able to play bass again, but after recent discussions with a new doctor, there seems to be hope. He said that he could perform a fusion of the knuckles nearest the fingernail, and that he could fuse them in 'playing' position.

So, does anyone have experience with this kind of surgery? The rehab, etc., is pretty arduous, but the thought of a) no more pain or deformation/nodules and b) that I could possibly play again has me pretty excited. I'm not sure how well I would be able to play with fused fingers, but heck, maybe I need to slow down anyway (having been accused in the past of overplaying).

What say ye?

Thanks,

Greg
Click to expand...
there might be some serious draw backs to permanently positioned fingers....you really need to think it through.....i'd hate to be the guy that told someone to go to that length only to find less invasive solutions appear down the road....
 
#4
I honestly have no clue. Just remember, there is more things in life than playing bass. If this could affect you a lot in ways outside of bass, then it isn't worth it imo. But that's up to you to decide, not me.
 
#5
I'd think long and hard before doing anything permanent. I'd also want to see if there were other ways I could feel musically fulfilled -- a different instrument, a new kind of project, etc.

That said, my father was semi-pro trumpet player his whole life. Last year he had this strange bacterial infections in his gums that could have prevented him from ever playing again. We think it's gone now, but the thought of never being able to play again was just incomprehensible.

If it were me I'd search out less drastic alternatives, personally. But it's not me, it's you!
 
#7
I had to have my left hand ring finger tendon reattached in 2012, after a sports injury. It took about three months before I picked up my bass, and still don't have the same dexterity that I did before. However, I can play.
If your Ortho gives you a good recommendation on successful surgery, I'd take it.
 
#9
senp5f said:
I'd think long and hard before doing anything permanent. I'd also want to see if there were other ways I could feel musically fulfilled -- a different instrument, a new kind of project, etc.
Click to expand...


Agreed.

For what it's worth, I saw a kid killing on bass once using just one finger. I think Jamerson primarily used one finger too(?).

Wish you the best of luck whatever you decide.
 
#12
Speaking strictly for myself, I'd do it. Playing bass is my life. It's how I define myself. I introduce myself as a bass player. I've got it tattooed on my body. If I couldn't play for whatever reason, but someone offered me the chance to play again, I'd do it, regardless of the cost.

Again, I'm only speaking for myself. You'd need to decide if it's worth it to you. If it IS worth it, then good luck to you!
 
#13
Thanks for the feedback and kind words. I've been trying to learn slide guitar, but I stink at it. I started playing bass almost 40 years ago, and it's been the only instrument that I found 'my' voice on. I probably have too much emotion/ego invested in it, but it's been my Constant Companion and Comforter. At this point, I'm afraid that extreme measures are my only remaining options, other than to continue to watch my fingers disintegrate. It helps, though, to get feedback from the community - I know that the folks here get where I'm coming from.

I see the doc again tomorrow, as the insurance company just denied his prescription for new medications. It's funny - they'd rather pay for an operation than medicine. :hmm:

Thanks again - much appreciated!
 
#14
A little more on that. I'm 79 years old and have had my share, and more, of operations. The new AHC act is awash in paperwork and the insurance companies do seem to hunt for reasons to not allow the exact Rx the doctor orders, however, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

There is something called "prior approval" that the doctor can utilize; saying this specific drug is needed in your specific case. Might see if that changes things. It's just one of the loops we now must jump through.

As a side note. I do have better insurance at less cost with the new AHC act, but the loops getting there were/are madding.

Good luck.
 
#15
Road Hat said:
I've got crippling arthritis in my fingers, especially the first two on the right hand, that has left me unable to play without a LOT of pain. I haven't been able to really play bass (other than whole or half notes) for almost two years. No fun. Frankly, I'd resigned myself to not being able to play bass again, but after recent discussions with a new doctor, there seems to be hope. He said that he could perform a fusion of the knuckles nearest the fingernail, and that he could fuse them in 'playing' position.

So, does anyone have experience with this kind of surgery? The rehab, etc., is pretty arduous, but the thought of a) no more pain or deformation/nodules and b) that I could possibly play again has me pretty excited. I'm not sure how well I would be able to play with fused fingers, but heck, maybe I need to slow down anyway (having been accused in the past of overplaying).

What say ye?

Thanks,

Greg
Click to expand...

The point of fusion procedures are to immobilise and stabilise structural problems to relieve symptoms.

In you case the symptoms are pain over mobility.
For the procedure to be successful for you you need the outcome to be pain free.
It can be assumed that without pain you will use the motion more therefore the mobility will return, so one of the benefits could be better motion.

The downside is there is no reduction in pain, so no motion benefits will be apparent, but you will have endured a procedure that cannot be reversed.

The not so apparent side of all this is your insurances companies roll in all this.

Road Hat said:
I see the doc again tomorrow, as the insurance company just denied his prescription for new medications. It's funny - they'd rather pay for an operation than medicine. :hmm:
Click to expand...

Your insurance company, as a rule, is allowed to offer solutions that protects/ reduces their losses/liabilities.
So your insurance company can offer a "full and final" settlement on your policy to resolve their own interests.....not yours.

So in offering an operation they can claim/show they are being pro active in your case.
If of course you refuse, then it can be shown that you are not considering all options and as such the insurance company can withdraw/refuse treatments of medications they deem expensive to them.
So in all it is not about your needs for treatment, but the insurers right to reduce their out goings costs.

Now insurance companies will offer treatments of procedures based on probability of outcome to reduce their liability, as well as maintain a duty to you...the two are not always mutually benefited to you.

I would look very carefully over the reasons behind any operations benefit before i would consider it.
But on the other hand you may have no choice because the the insurance company can withdraw the cover as you are not pro active in looking for a solution by refusing their offers of treatment......you are refusing to get well, so why should they fund your decision?

It is a complicated area with complicated and mitigating circumstance that sometimes require legal advice/intervention to en-sure the best results benefit you physically and are not based on financial savings.

Do your own research and formulate your own questions to ask about it...make an informed choice.
This link may help you and lead you to other search ideas you may get from it.....Good luck and i hope all work out for you.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#16
Talk to others who've had the same procedure. Your orthopod may be able to link you with others who may share their experiences. I've given my neurosurgeon permission to provide my name to candidates for a particular procedure which I underwent last August.

Riis
 
#17
Sorry but i ran out of time earlier, but i wanted to add, post your problem on the DB side as well, and as well as ask about experience ask for any insurance senarios.
On both sides of this forum there are players who play as a hobby, or in a semi pro capacity.
If any of them work within either the medical, insurance or legal profession they may be able to offer relevent advice.
If you are a union member, ask your rep to look over the situation, after all a situation like yours is why you pay your dues, you want relevent representation to your situation.

Good luck in finding a solution and becoming pain free.
 

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