Naive question about fingering

[stoat_king]

I have recently started 'relearning' some relatively easy pieces of music, that I learnt by rote when I was starting to learn to play the piano many years ago.
I play them badly for a variety of reasons, most of which are to do with the wretched level of my playing at the time.
A good example is Chopin Nocturne Op 9 No 2.

My question is a simple one really - are the instructions on fingering merely guidelines, or commands which must be obeyed?
For instance, in bar 16, there is an ornamental bit in the right hand which the sheet music suggests should have my right little finger playing two adjacent notes in succession.
I have an injury to that finger which isn't usually an issue, but makes this particular fingering very difficult, or at least undesirable.
There are other variant fingerings which don't seem to have much of a downside, but I feel uneasy applying my own fingerings when the object of this exercise is to play the piece 'correctly'.
My thinking is that it is a reasonable thing to do, since above all, the fingering instructions must be there for practical reasons and in my case they can sometimes be impractical.

Any thoughts or advice?

[j_menz]

Fingering on scores is for guidance only.

Some etudes may be exceptions, and if a piece employs a technique with which you are unfamiliar the suggested fingering probably should be at least given a go.

Otherwise, use or ignore them as you find appropriate. Hands are different, and there is never a "correct" fingering, just the most effective one for you.

[hardy_practice]

For instance, in bar 16, there is an ornamental bit in the right hand which the sheet music suggests should have my right little finger playing two adjacent notes in succession.
I have an injury to that finger which isn't usually an issue, but makes this particular fingering very difficult, or at least undesirable.

A good edition will make clear which are Chopin's fingering and which editorial.  Consecutive 5's was something he did do, and it's important you know that, but obviously if you can't you can't.  No sweat (as Chopin might have said if he'd lived another 100 years or so). 

[stoat_king]

Great. Thats really helpful - tyvm.