I broke my little finger (right hand) yesterday... Started in on tunes today, making allowances for compromised position/twinges. Couldn't imagine not playing... and I think it could speed healing. It's slowed down my reels though...
I broke my wee finger off just below the knuckle on my left hand 2 years ago, and severely traumatized the one next to it. I still can't quite close my fist all the way. I initially thought it was dislocated and put it in a splint for a few days. By the time I reached a hospital the doctor had to break and re-set it after learning I was a musician. After a month I was released from the cast and the doctor wanted to talk about physical therapy. He asked me to describe this concertina I played. After describing it and explaining how crucial that finger is and what it's expected to do he said, "that's the best physical therapy I can imagine," and he sent me on my way. I'm happy to report that I've made a full musical recovery, and in addition, the compensation in my playing for having a broken finger allowed me to figure out the subtle workings of the phantom button. (or slap roll as it seems to be called)
I absolutely concur - I broke a knuckle in several places on my RH fourth finger, and had a pins through it for about 3 weeks - and during that time I could barely move it. The advice I had was exactly that - play the instrument as much as possible as that's the best way of getting the finger going in the right direction again. Conventional physiotherapy probably won't help as much as playing the instrument - that's certainly the advice I had, and FWIW it worked.
Cheers to all... actually any pain (other than the obvious) come from swelling of fingers/hand. I am vigilant for the twinges, ice regularly, and await an appointment tomorrow with a plastics/hand specialist. The ER referred me as soon as they found out I was a musician (in addition to a day job requiring precise motor skills). Nice one. Two previous dislocations of the LH 4th finger seemed to more rapidly recover because of playing. Moral of the story "The tunes are good for what ails you"... and, when off-road, don't drive your mountain bike into a hole.
Drone, speedy recovery. I've broken every finger I own at least twice, and some as many as five times. (Mountain biking, hockey, baseball, soccer, volleyball, construction, skateboarding) As long as you don't overdo it early on, playing music does seem to be excellent PT.
You may find that your right little finger doesn't need to be on top of the bow stick, so it won't be stressed while healing or after. At least for me, little finger atop the stick caused unnecessary tensions, which may be injurious in your condition (or anytime), so I let it be as the ring finger is - not on top.
broken finger
broken finger
I broke my little finger (right hand) yesterday... Started in on tunes today, making allowances for compromised position/twinges. Couldn't imagine not playing... and I think it could speed healing. It's slowed down my reels though...
# Posted on July 13th 2009 by drone
Re: broken finger
Good recovery....; at least it isn't the left hand little finger.
Do you suffer pain?
# Posted on July 13th 2009 by Henk Bos
Re: broken finger
As soon as you're able, you'll have to learn this tune:
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/5837
I wish you a speedy recovery.
# Posted on July 13th 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: broken finger
if you are getting sharp pains while playing, or have to take pain medicine to be able to play, then don't. Let it heal a litle more
but if you don't get any particular pain, then luckily playing doesn't put any extra strain on the area and you are good to go
so good luck with getting back to normal
# Posted on July 13th 2009 by Nate Ryan
Re: broken finger
Speedy recovery Drone,
Mary
# Posted on July 13th 2009 by Antikhntr
Re: broken finger
Yeah, hate to hear that, good luck to you drone, sounds like you're making a speedy recovery.
# Posted on July 13th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: broken finger
hope you're back in the pinky soon...
# Posted on July 13th 2009 by airport
Re: broken finger
I broke my wee finger off just below the knuckle on my left hand 2 years ago, and severely traumatized the one next to it. I still can't quite close my fist all the way. I initially thought it was dislocated and put it in a splint for a few days. By the time I reached a hospital the doctor had to break and re-set it after learning I was a musician. After a month I was released from the cast and the doctor wanted to talk about physical therapy. He asked me to describe this concertina I played. After describing it and explaining how crucial that finger is and what it's expected to do he said, "that's the best physical therapy I can imagine," and he sent me on my way. I'm happy to report that I've made a full musical recovery, and in addition, the compensation in my playing for having a broken finger allowed me to figure out the subtle workings of the phantom button. (or slap roll as it seems to be called)
# Posted on July 13th 2009 by Phantom Button
Re: broken finger
I absolutely concur - I broke a knuckle in several places on my RH fourth finger, and had a pins through it for about 3 weeks - and during that time I could barely move it. The advice I had was exactly that - play the instrument as much as possible as that's the best way of getting the finger going in the right direction again. Conventional physiotherapy probably won't help as much as playing the instrument - that's certainly the advice I had, and FWIW it worked.
# Posted on July 13th 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: broken finger
Cheers to all... actually any pain (other than the obvious) come from swelling of fingers/hand. I am vigilant for the twinges, ice regularly, and await an appointment tomorrow with a plastics/hand specialist. The ER referred me as soon as they found out I was a musician (in addition to a day job requiring precise motor skills). Nice one. Two previous dislocations of the LH 4th finger seemed to more rapidly recover because of playing. Moral of the story "The tunes are good for what ails you"... and, when off-road, don't drive your mountain bike into a hole.
# Posted on July 13th 2009 by drone
Re: broken finger
Try the green clay, it's speeds up healing X2...
# Posted on July 13th 2009 by protz
Re: broken finger
Drone, speedy recovery. I've broken every finger I own at least twice, and some as many as five times. (Mountain biking, hockey, baseball, soccer, volleyball, construction, skateboarding) As long as you don't overdo it early on, playing music does seem to be excellent PT.
# Posted on July 14th 2009 by Will Harmon
Re: broken finger
Comfrey tea is good for bone healing.
You may find that your right little finger doesn't need to be on top of the bow stick, so it won't be stressed while healing or after. At least for me, little finger atop the stick caused unnecessary tensions, which may be injurious in your condition (or anytime), so I let it be as the ring finger is - not on top.
best wishes,
vlnplyr
# Posted on July 23rd 2009 by vlnplyr
Re: broken finger
Nice tune link ragaman! I'll have to learn that.
I remember playing pipes at a very memorable session a few years back with a broken finger!!
...I thought it was only sprained so I didn't splint it. It's still crooked ;-(
# Posted on July 24th 2009 by MagRoibin