Near catastrphe! HELP!

[iansinclair]

Due to a damn fool mistake on my part, I had an accident the other day which nearly severed the first and second fingers on my right hand.  I have a surgeon who is quie confident that he can get things put back together --except maybe for the outermost joint in the first finger -- but what I need is suggestions for mild exercises to help regain mobility and control after he gets done stitching and pinning.

Suggestions gratefully accepted!  If it helps, current repertoire is Schubert Impromptus (all), Chopin Nocturnes (all), Beethoven Moonlight and Waldstein, Sibelius Impormptus.  Not keen on Bach for piano, and the only organ I have to hand is an elderly and heavy tracker...

Thanks in advance

[j_menz]

Ouch. Sorry to hear that.

My suggestion is to get a proper physiotherapist for the recovery and discuss with them your pianistic requirements. Even if they don't have much direct experience (likely) they can do some research and apply it to what they know about recoveries from your sort of injury - much more likely to be effective than someone who knows lots about piano trying to think like a physio.

[iansinclair]

Ouch is right, and I'm not sure which is worse -- the physical pain or the pschological being a dumby part.

You are probably right, and I will be seein a physiotherapist.

I'll keep you posted -- I'm optimistically hoping to be able to play a recital for the benefit of the ambulance crew a medics in May.  Probably too soon -- but it's a goal, anyway...

[j_menz]

In the meantime, there's a lot of LH repertoire you now have an excuse to explore.

[iansinclair]

In the meantime, there's a lot of LH repertoire you now have an excuse to explore.

That's what my daughter said!

[timothy42b]

Two words:

Trom bone. 

[indianajo]

Oh, my. What an awful thing to happen to a pianist  who is active in the hobby.
I was assigned piano as physiotherapy for my injured third finger of the right hand. There was no physician involved in this decision. The GP's job in 1953 was limited to stiching up the pad of my finger so the scar tissue would heal over the bone.  but I never used it again without "helping" it with the fourth finger.  My third grade teacher five years later noticed my habit, and discussed it with my Mother. 
Mother started me on the John Schaum Pre book, which is beneath you, and Schmitt exercises, which are not.  I used to do 15 minutes of Schmitt exercises a day, often reading a novel at the same time after I had memorized this week's exercise. They are very redimentary,at home position with no stretching,  They can be downloaded from this website I believe.   Schmitt exercises are great on making sure that all the fingers work evenly. 
Heal well. 

[iansinclair]

Thanks for the suggestion on the Schmitt.  I'll take a look at it.  Sounds like just what I'll need.  In addition yo the physio...

As an update -- I had the first operation today.  The surgeon is happy.  They're not his fingers!  But he's still optimistic which is encouraging...

[senanserat]

To be honest I would dish out good cash, or as most as possible into getting the right therapy for your fingers, this is not something you should take lightly. With good rest and therapy you may recover the total of your finger functionality.

Best wishes mate, I wouldn't wish this upon any foe.

As for music and I hope to get feedback by the other members of this assembly of minds, why not (slowly and with great care) do some Czerny dexterity (OP.744 I think) and or Hanon?

[senanserat]

How did this come to pass anyway?

[iansinclair]

How did this come to pass anyway?

Un jamming a piece of farm machinery.  Manure spreader.  When I cleared the jam it jumped a bit and caught the hand.  Done it a hundred times before, and just got careless.

[awesom_o]

Sounds like a catastrophe to me!

I wish you a full and speedy recovery...this is among my worst nightmares.

Perhaps it would be best to wait for the healing to be 'completed' before returning to the keyboard.

Work on movement-rehabilitation in a non-musical context. Work on singing and composing in the meantime if you crave musical progress.

I hope the operation was a success!

[timothy42b]

Un jamming a piece of farm machinery.  Manure spreader.  When I cleared the jam it jumped a bit and caught the hand.  Done it a hundred times before, and just got careless.

Most of the old farmers I knew were missing body parts, fingers for sure and often more.

There was nothing inherently dangerous if you're paying close attention, but the problem is no human can pay perfect attention working 365 days for a lifetime, even without fatigue and bad weather. 

[iansinclair]

An update, if anyone is listening...

The fingers are going to make it -- at least cosmetically.  There nay be one frozen joint; won't know that until the pins are out (another month, at a guess). The lacerations, too, are healing, albeit slowly.  A LOT of physical therapy is going to be involved to get flexibility back to something useful, though.  what is going to be interesting, though, is that at least at this time the fingers beyond the outer joints have no feeling at all.  How this is going to translate into beautifully nuanced Chopin remains to be seen...

And I do thank you allso much for your support!!

[j_menz]

Sounds good for this stage. The possible frozen joint is the only real worry, though they can do remarkable things with physio so keep your hopes up.

The feeling in your finger tips will almost certainly come back over time, but I suspect the feeling elsewhere in the hand/fingers and your ears will keep your Chopin just fine in the interim.

[flashyfingers]

After surgery, seek a professional rehabilitation specialist.

I once had a fractured joint in my left hand ring finger. It was put back together and immobilized for months. Then, I went to therapy sometimes multiple times a week. It was painful and uncomfortable. But my joint was strong and healthy after a few months.