Arthritis in Pinky - Suggestions? Advice?

[Frank Piotrowski]

Severe arthritis in top joint of pinky finger. Cartilage is gone. Bone
rubbing against bone, hurts like the devil when I try to play. Painkillers
don't help very much. Surgeon says he can fuse the two bones together to
stop the pain. When bones are fused, finger would then be straight and
could not bend to allow me to play. I'm thinking of seeing if the bones
could be fused in a bent position.

If anyone has had any relevant experience / knowledge, please advise.

Many thanks in advance!

[Winston Smith]

Sorry to hear about your turn of back luck. If there's no medical treatment
for this condition perhaps you might consider taking up bottleneck style
guitar. You can use your pinky for a slide. Learning to play slide guitar
in open tunings with alternating bass lines can be very challenging and a
lot of fun at the same time. Most of the chording can be accomplished with
three fingers while the slide occupies the 4th finger. Good luck to you and
don't give up on the music!

Post by Frank Piotrowski
Severe arthritis in top joint of pinky finger. Cartilage is gone. Bone
rubbing against bone, hurts like the devil when I try to play.
Painkillers don't help very much. Surgeon says he can fuse the two bones
together to stop the pain. When bones are fused, finger would then be
straight and could not bend to allow me to play. I'm thinking of seeing
if the bones could be fused in a bent position.
If anyone has had any relevant experience / knowledge, please advise.
Many thanks in advance!

[Frank Piotrowski]

"Winston Smith" <***@nospam.net> wrote in message news:Bth5f.6361$***@trnddc07...

Sorry to hear about your turn of back luck. If there's no medical treatment for this condition perhaps you might consider taking up bottleneck style guitar. You can use your pinky for a slide. Learning to play slide guitar in open tunings with alternating bass lines can be very challenging and a lot of fun at the same time. Most of the chording can be accomplished with three fingers while the slide occupies the 4th finger. Good luck to you and don't give up on the music!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hi Winston,

I did receive a note outside of the newsgroup from someone who had the bones fused at an angle and is now able to play using the pinky, so there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks for your note and the words of encouragement.

Frank

[Frank Piotrowski]

I had the surgery to fuse the bones at the top joint of the pinky on
November 3. The bones were fused at an angle of about 20 to 25 degrees.
About a week ago, the surgeon gave me the green light to try playing guitar
again. So far so good, and getting better every day - I'd say the surgery
was a complete success.

[Marc Popek]

glad to hear it..

I would start drinking regular tasting of fermented wort and mead to
solventize your blood system,, yeast is good too
Marco

Post by Frank Piotrowski
I had the surgery to fuse the bones at the top joint of the pinky on
November 3. The bones were fused at an angle of about 20 to 25 degrees.
About a week ago, the surgeon gave me the green light to try playing guitar
again. So far so good, and getting better every day - I'd say the surgery
was a complete success.

[Scott McDaniel]

Post by Marc Popek
glad to hear it..
I would start drinking regular tasting of fermented wort and mead to
solventize your blood system,, yeast is good too
Marco

Oh, and don't forget the Vodka...
--
Sir Scott "What the Hell is "Wort"?... " McDaniel

Post by Marc Popek

Post by Frank Piotrowski
I had the surgery to fuse the bones at the top joint of the pinky on
November 3. The bones were fused at an angle of about 20 to 25 degrees.
About a week ago, the surgeon gave me the green light to try playing

guitar

Post by Frank Piotrowski
again. So far so good, and getting better every day - I'd say the surgery
was a complete success.