Mallet finger

[Bach5G]

I had a minor mishap yesterday and came away with a mallet finger injury to the ring finger on my left hand.

It looks like I’m out of commission for 8 weeks, but the prognosis is favourable. I got it splinted promptly and will see a specialist in a week or two.

Anyone here dealt with this before?

’Mallet finger” - sounds like a Gary Burton tune.

[medblues]

Get well soon, are you right handed ?

[nyc chaz]

Really sorry this has happened to you.I've unfortunately had many finger issues for awhile but thankfully not mallet finger.My mother many years ago had the same problem as you and the doctor's splint and a little daily icing seemed to do the trick.Hope this is the case with you and all turns out well.

[Bach5G]

Yes, right handed.

The very odd thing is that there has been no discomfort or swelling. I hope that’s a favourable sign.

I had signed up for a 10-week jazz workshop, which starts in mid-Jan. Frustratingly, they would cancel my registration but would only offer a school credit. Who knows if and when they might offer the workshop again (assuming full recovery)?

Right now, pending my seeing a plastic surgeon, it seems as if I can still play trombone, so maybe I’ll play the first few weeks on trombone and switch to guitar once the splint is off.

[medblues]

Yes, right handed.

The very odd thing is that there has been no discomfort or swelling. I hope that’s a favourable sign.

I had signed up for a 10-week jazz workshop, which starts in mid-Jan. Frustratingly, they would cancel my registration but would only offer a school credit. Who knows if and when they might offer the workshop again (assuming full recovery)?

Right now, pending my seeing a plastic surgeon, it seems as if I can still play trombone, so maybe I’ll play the first few weeks on trombone and switch to guitar once the splint is off.

When I had my left hand injury, I spent a lot of time on the Kaossilator, and the melodica... It actually helped my guitar playing in addition to basic musicianship.

[Ol' Fret]

Type I is the most common type of mallet finger.
A polyethylene (Stack) splint is highly effective. Usually, splinting is maintained for 8 weeks continously, followed by 2 weeks of night splinting. Get well soon!

[Bach5G]

A sax playing friend had a similar injury to his left pinky and was back playing in 4-6 weeks with no ill effects.

I was thinking today that I can work on guidetones.

[rpjazzguitar]

I have heard that the issue is to catch it early and treat right away. I believe the treatment is splinting.

[Bach5G]

An update: I saw the plastic surgeon and hand therapist today. Favourable prognosis, no surgery. Splint will come off in 6 weeks and depending on the evaluation at that time, a few weeks of rehab. Weekly visits to the clinic until then. No restrictions on activities.

[Bach5G]

Another update. 7 weeks in and I am about to start weaning myself off the splint. For two 30-minute periods each day, I get to remove the splint, immerse the hand in warm water, and do my usual activities (avoiding forceful gripping).

Having been immobilized for 7 weeks, the joint is stiff, with limited ROM. A little painful with motion.

I don’t see returning to guitar anytime soon. I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll recover sufficient flexibility to play.

[princeplanet]

I feel for you man, I hate having finger, hand or arm injuries that keep me from playing, but when I do I always try to work on something else. Like if my left hand is injured, I'll work on picking exercises (just on open strings), or ear training, or transcribing etc etc.

If the worst happens and you don't get your ring finger back to 100%, you just have to modify your technique to accomodate. You'll still have more fingers than Django, right?

[Bach5G]

I figure I can switch to bass.

[RJVB]

I figure I can switch to bass.

Or expand your technique?



Seriously, just take it slow, do whatever (gentle) exercises your therapist gave or you can find on YT (using a bit of common sense on which are the good ones) and one day you'll realise you're back to playing as you always did.

Can I ask about that mishap that caused this, a freak accident or a "teachable moment"?

[Bach5G]

“Can I ask about that mishap that caused this, a freak accident or a "teachable moment"?”

I was picking up dog poop when I lost my balance for a moment and reached out with my left hand to steady myself.

[RJVB]

Right, OK ... note to self: really only walk the dog in the fields where you don't have to bother...

A former lab-mate and musician friend once had a similar mishap picking up a large sack of food pellets. Was a little to hay-ho-enthusiastic and tore a tendon off his (left?) ring finger. It looks like he'd never be able to use that finger for playing again (cembalo and organ) but function apparently returned after a few years. (Still a mystery to me how.)

[nyc chaz]

Another update. 7 weeks in and I am about to start weaning myself off the splint. For two 30-minute periods each day, I get to remove the splint, immerse the hand in warm water, and do my usual activities (avoiding forceful gripping).

Having been immobilized for 7 weeks, the joint is stiff, with limited ROM. A little painful with motion.

I don’t see returning to guitar anytime soon. I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll recover sufficient flexibility to play.

Take from me.there's no way having a splint on that long that you will get flexibility in a half hour.I can understand your consternation but try to keep a positive outlook.I've had my share of finger problems over the last 30 years and i am still playing.Until you are able to leave that splint off,there will be no way to tell how the finger will be.Maybe buy a book like One Finger exercises for the fretting hand by Jim Ross and work on that until your finger is better.Wishing the best for you.

[Bach5G]

Update: 2 and 1/2 months post injury. I’ve increased the time I can remove the splint to an hour twice a day. I’m finding guitar to be more or less what you might expect after not playing for a couple of months, even without an injury. Range of motion is limited in tight grips (eg. E min7 in 3rd fret) or barring (A min 7), but it’s improving every day.

Cosmetically, it’s not perfect, still drooping about 22 degrees, but as long as I can play I’m not concerned.

[benhatchins]

Hope you get better very soon. I had a similar experience a couple of years ago and spent some days in the hospital as well. Overall, my encounter with aurora health care customer service was positive during that time. Their support and assistance made navigating through the challenges much more manageable. Wishing you a speedy recovery and continued strength as you progress towards better health.

[Bach5G]

Probably my last post on the topic.

I’m wearing my splint intermittently, but am gradually weaning myself off of it. I’m left with a permanent droop of about 20°, not a particularly good result but mostly a cosmetic issue and I’m not particularly concerned about that.

I practised guitar for just about three hours today. No ill effects. My playing is pretty much what you’ve expected after being off for three months. There’s a bit of an issue with first inversion drop twos but for the most part my playing is as good or as bad as it’s ever been. A little stiffness in my hand, but that will improve.

I’ll add that not being able to play for 3 mos has left me mad for practising, as well as given me time to think about what I should work on.