Left hand surgery this Friday (4/1)

[lowrider]

I don't know if it was my good run, the swinging of the arm, or the good time I had playing the other day that caused the swelling. I just took a 6 mile walk yesterday with my hand in the pocket of my jacket and then iced the hand every couple of hours. The swelling is back down. I see the doc tomorrow to get the stitches removed and I'll see what he says about the hand.

The Dupetrens fingers have really straightened out!

[Bob Womack]

Cool! Glad they've flattened out!

Bob

[Glennwillow]

Glad you are doing well, Lowrider!

- Glenn

[lowrider]

Thanks everyone, I'm all cleared.

I got the stitches out today. The Doc told me I'm good to go. The index finger is still swollen but I did come home and get playing for a short time. I don't want to push it and end up with the hand swollen again. I'm going to ease back into it all and hopefully be back playing with my friends by the end of May

[Charmed Life Picks]

Do PT and take your recovery slow. You don't want to push it and re-injure. Not worth it.

Best of luck in your recovery.

sm

[lowrider]

Just an update. Right now I can play but kind of sloppily. It's good to be getting started again but I'm only good for about 20 to 30 minutes per session.

First I heat the hand up with a heating pad. Then I stretch and bend the fingers. Then play.

It's getting better really quickly, but once I feel pain, I quit and come back later.

I put extra-light strings on my Road Series, it really sounds terrible!

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by lowrider

Just an update. Right now I can play but kind of sloppily. It's good to be getting started again but I'm only good for about 20 to 30 minutes per session.

First I heat the hand up with a heating pad. Then I stretch and bend the fingers. Then play.

It's getting better really quickly, but once I feel pain, I quit and come back later.

I put extra-light strings on my Road Series, it really sounds terrible!

Sounds like you're progressing along, great news! What did you have on your Road Series before, lights or mediums? Smart move during your recovery period to make the switch, even if you don't like the sound.

[lowrider]

Update, I moved up to 11's today. I usually play 12's on everything. I put them on my 0000-18 12fret and it's a big move up in sound. I'll leave these on and play only this guitar until the hand feels back to normal. It's most of the way there.

I did all my snow shoveling and blowing yesterday with no ill effects.

I think I'm on my way back!

[Silly Moustache]

hi lowrider, I'm heartened by your progress.

As already said my "procedure was today (20th) so I expect tonight will be the worst

I'm let handed and typing this with my left middle finger - the worst affected.

Tomorrow morning I face the "preparation for my Colonoscopy on Friday.
Ain't life grand?

Anyway, please keep this thread going as I'm sure I'm not the only one who is interested in your progress!

No wall climbing yet then?

[lowrider]

Small setback;

Yesterday I thought my hand was feeling good enough to try going back to light (12) strings. I had moved up to 11's from 10's a week ago. After about a half-hour my hand was feeling sore. Instead of stopping, I just switched back to the guitar with 11's and kept playing. It left the index finger pretty sore this morning.

Ah, live and learn. I'll heat it up and stretch and then just play for a short time this morning.

[lowrider]

My index finger is still sore, stiff and swollen. I didn't push it. I cut it short after about 25 minutes. I'll try again later, dropping back to the guitar with 10's.

[Silly Moustache]

Hi lowrider, just read your update.

I think you've had larger incisions than I -I have a single smile shaped incision roughly along my lifeline (or whatever about two inches long.

My issue has been straightening out my middle finger, ad I fear arthritis in my second joint.

Let's hope things are better in May!

[lowrider]

Ouch,

I played again this afternoon on the guitar with 10's. I said I was only going to play for a half-hour, but I played for about 40 minutes and then I say the sheet for Patti Griffin's ''When It Don't Come Easy''. I hadn't tried it at all since the surgery, but I love that song so I had to try it. It has a lot of open Chords that just kill my index finger.

Now it's killing me. Hope it feels better in the morning. I'm back to start. Have to keep it to a half-hour.

[lowrider]

I was very cautious this morning. Only played for 35 minutes and the index finger was still sore. I just came home from the pool. It was my first swim since the surgery and the hand feels great.

Swimming solves everything!!!

[lowrider]

Afternoon; played for 45 minutes on the guitar with the 10's. It really doesn't sound like anything but my hand felt fine.

I'm sticking with this guitar for a few more days.