I just saw this. I got a middle finger injury in mid December. Dark, middle of night, no flashlight, took dog out. My 75 lb dog exploded after a possum and I got the leash wrapped around my finger during his rip. Horrible pain followed as you might expect. I didn't see a doctor initially (the dumba** that I am) and attempted to deal with it myself (very very bad idea). I got a cushioned aluminum splint and wore it for several weeks, while having no real idea what damage had been done. I had (and still have) a lot of gigs that band members are relying on me for, so I crash-coursed on pick playing which is the only way that I could possibly play. I just assumed (yeah I know) that it was a sprain and it would improve. Several weeks in, I could tell that it was not improving, so went to an urgent care center, which x-rayed and told me I have joint damage and broken bone (mallet injury) and needed to see a specialist. Did so, and ended up rapidly on the surgery schedule. Got one pin inserted straight into the end of finger, and a “K” type pin inserted into top of finger, levering down the broken bone piece in an attempt to fuse it to the larger end bone. Its now almost 2 weeks after surgery, and I have several weeks left before the pins can be removed. Then, following that, I will have many (many) weeks of wearing a splint. Some say 3-6 months, and I have read even longer in some cases. After the splint is removed I will have a long stretch of PT to attempt to regain as much strength and mobility in that finger that I can.
Its a pretty stressful time, not just because of the pain and inconvenience, but because I’m not real comfortable with my pick playing, although I’m focused hard on it right now. Additionally, the support wires in the bones as well as the modified splint that I now need to wear keep my middle finger extended full time, so it has a very small space where it can be while I play…essentially squeezed between the strings and volume knob. Consequently, I am very restricted in movement and I end up whacking the volume knob and have a very difficult time quickly reaching strings and doing some other maneuvers (although 16th notes can be pretty darned easy with alternating picking though).
I also have to be extremely careful loading in and out, and pretty much every other activity all day long. Even reaching for something small is risky. Accidentally pushing against or hitting an object or doing anything weight-bearing will bring immediate pain, and possibly reverse any progress (Any movement of that last joint will destroy any bone healing that has already begun).
Having said that, if there is one silver lining in this whole mess, its that I forced myself to try and relearn pick playing which I had stopped back in the 60s (!).
Thats my mallet finger story. I hope you have a fast recovery. Perhaps you might want to try a pick if you haven't already. Stay positive…I have read that full recovery can be possible. But you absolutely must baby that finger for as long as it takes.
