|
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | About 12 days ago I hyper-extended the thumb on my right hand. Since then I have been relegated to changing strings. Not a single chord strummed or picked.
I've been being real careful with it and I hope to be back in the saddle in a week.
Bm, C, G7, and even you E-flat... I miss you all. :( |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I didn't think anyone would miss an E-flat!!
I hope your hand is feeling better soon. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Good time to learn some fingerpickin technique with the 4 good fingers. The thumb will come along naturally when it heals. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | OW! My heart goes out to you. Back in 1990, I was coring apples when the knife slipped. Actually took a chunk out of the bone in my right thumb. It did nerve damage, and I couldn't play at all for a year! Even now, when I get excited, I grab a little too hard on the neck and it shoots pain all the way up into my armpit. The tip of my thumb feels like it's "asleep", but at least I can still play.
The good thing that came out of it though, was I got a harp. (Not a harmonica, but a Celtic harp.) The accident happened at the end of October, and I didn't freak out and act like my world was ending. Instead, I just thanked God that I had the opportunity to have ever played at all, and wondered what was next. So in early December, I was at a party where someone had a harp, and he let me try it. No pain, and I could make music on it. So I bought one, learned to play it, and unfortunately, when I got to where I could play guitar again, I stopped putting as much time into the harp, and now, I don't play it very well. My own fault! (And now I can hear you wondering, if I could play a beautiful sounding harp at one time, WHY in the world am I now learning BANJO?!!) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | OOPS. I meant my LEFT thumb. (Guess the banjo has addled my brain.) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I put my right index finger into a fan and chopped off flesh to the bone. And to answer your question, no, I didn't do it intentionally. Seeing my bone was strange. Luckly, it only took a month to heal. My wife told me to play with a hook. She's funny ... like a crutch sometimes. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I think I'd rather have a cut than a sprain.
Although I want no part of a cut like Canterbury's.
Back in the good old days I'd give myself a day, day & a half to heal and be right back at it. Not anymore. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Welcome to old age, Brad! :p |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
(Guess the banjo has addled my brain.) They tend to do that! ;)
During my guitar hiatus, I played so much base/softball that there was no way I could play a git due to sprained thumbs and bruised palms. Actually I'm surprised that my hands can still form chords.
That doesn't mean that I CAN play guitar now... :rolleyes:
:D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | OUCH!!! Sorry to hear that! My Sister plays Viola and Guitar. 8 weeks ago she spilled HOT Flan on her hand and actually "fused" 2 fingers together. She will be playing again in a week or 2.So, after experiencing her pain, I feel your's!
Heal up Quick! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Flan is one of my favorite desserts, but I'd rather eat it than wear it. All joking aside though, that must have been the most painful (physically and mentally) thing she has ever undergone. I'm so glad to hear she's going to be OK though. Send her my best wishes. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I know of only two ways to hyper-extend one's thumb and of those two, only one is enjoyable...
I hope you at least enjoyed it, Bradley. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | btw, I stuck an Oyster knife deep into the knuckle of my left ring finger... it always feels "asleep" like CS sez...
Good thing my playing hasn't suffer'd... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
Good thing my playing hasn't suffer'd... Probably improved it..... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
I know of only two ways to hyper-extend one's thumb and of those two, only one is enjoyable...
I hope you at least enjoyed it, Bradley. Jeff... even tho I don't know what the hell you're talking about, your posts like this always make me smile.
Even if they shouldn't.
crocs rule. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
btw, I stuck an Oyster knife deep into the knuckle of my left ring finger Been there, done that (several times)... but it's worth it for some fresh Apalachicola 'O's!!! :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Isn't there something in New York City called the "bagel cut"?
I thought I read something once about how New York emergency rooms get alot of these slice across the palm injurys on the weekend. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | "The Dreaded Right Hand Injury"
Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder, Brad. Hang in there. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1128
Location: NW Washington State | Hope I die before I get old.
Oops, too late.
-Steve W. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I find that I tend to try to avoid activities that could wind up hurting my hands. It started with doing things more with the left hand so I wouldn'r break the nails on the right. Now I just tend to give the task a quick think through before I attempt it to check the danger level. It doesn't always work but sometimes it does. Like getting locked out of the house, pound on the door with a shoe or something, not your fist. Stuff like that. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Flan is one of my favorite desserts, but I'd rather eat it than wear it. All joking aside though, that must have been the most painful (physically and mentally) thing she has ever undergone. I'm so glad to hear she's going to be OK though. Send her my best wishes. C.S.,
Thank-you and I'll let her know.
Bob |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Did she make a second batch of Flan? If so when is desert, it's my fav too. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Okay.... I'll be the one to ask.
What's Flan??? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | a mexican desert, like an egg custard with some caramel type syrup poured over it. Actually the syrup is in the bottom of the container when it's all cooked and then it's flipped onto the plate and the syrup is then on top and runs down the sides.
excellent. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I prefer the Fried Ice Cream . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Toss up for me. Either is good! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Years ago, my daughter had a school project to make a model of a dugout canoe. I got her a nice chunk of soft, carve-able wood and set her up with some of my gouges.
FIRST thing I did was read her the "Riot Act" on SAFETY. Cardinal Rule: Never, NEVER carve a piece of wood while holding it in your hand!!
She does fine, & gets through the evening without incident. She goes off t'bed & I'm cleaning up the kitchen table. I decide to freshen up the edges on the gouges. After I sharpen/hone, I'm standing over the kitchen sink testing a gouge on a piece of scrap wood . . . in my left hand.
Got a nice "C" shaped cut deep into the base of my left thumb that fortunately did no nerve damage.
Needless t'say, I (deservedly) never heard TheEnd of THAT one . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | You know Beal, that's why I didn't stay in aerospace. Afraid I might hurt my hands and my hearing. I am very careful with both now. I'm afraid I'm starting to get a touch of arthritis now too. I had noticed it when I lived in Ct, but it got better here because it's so dry. We've had unusual humidity this summer though. I'm looking forward to winter! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I'll see your flan and your deep fried ice cream (both of which I love) and raise you a fresh, hot churro. :cool:
I used to work in the restaurant biz and for several years carved prime rib for a living. I remember at least four trips to the emergency room to repair significant cuts to my left hand (the index finger and/or thumb) including one that required stitching together a tendon and nerve. I can use this as an excuse when people remark about my crappy playing -- but in reality there is no lasting damage. I guess I dodged a bullet on that. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | OK...since we are telling hand injury stories....
Years and years ago in a land far far away (Houston) I used to work at the zoo and drive the tour train.
One of my favorite after work activities was to jump over the fence and wake up the gators by smacking them on the nose with one of the little brooms that were used to sweep up peanuts and trash and then go running like hell to jump over the low 4 foot fence.....but I digress.
Anyway, my other favorite after work activity was to climb over the retaining fence and hand feed jumbo marshmallows to the black bears. Now, I wasn't stupid (regardless of how it now seems) but I would hold the marshmallow between my fingers about 3 inches outside the cage and the bears would stick out their tongues and snatch it out of my fingers.....great fun!
Unfortunately, one of my less intelligent co-workers would see me do it from a distance and thinking what fun, decided to emulate me.
Where our techniques differed however was that he put his hand inside the cage at which point the bear quickly snapped off the marshmallow and his finger with it.
He had the where with all to poke the bear in the eye with his other hand which caused the bear to drop his finger out of his mouth. He snatched up his finger and ran for help (which happened to be me and another employee) and we raced him over to the emergency room which happened to be located across from the zoo.
The ER sewed his finger back on and it became semi usable but it was never the same.
Needless to say when he was asked why he did something so stupid he promptly told them he was just doing what I ALWAYS did and I was promptly fired. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1330
Location: ms | Yes you was stupid.... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Not a hand story, but similar to Stephan's.
I lifeguarded at a large town pool ... couple thousand people a day. One of things I did is dive off the lifeguard stand into about 2.5 ft. of water. To do it right, you had land flat, and smack your body into the water, and push off the bottom with your hands so your head didn't hit the bottom. The kids were impressed. Next summer I got a job at a TV station. One of those kids however, became a lifeguard at the pool, and tried what I did, and broke his neck. Paralyzed from the waist down. Guy who was in charge was fired. The town was sued. I'm glad I didn't work there. I felt sorry for the kid, but my boss was a bully, so I don't feel sorrow for him. This was karma pay back. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Nothing as exciting from here. I just tried to play a late indoor soccer game. It was bad enough that I was old and slow, but I'd had a few beers before going. A couple minutes into the game I fell backward and broke my left arm right above the wrist. The ER doc set it without pain killer because the nurse missed the vein in my other arm. 5 weeks in a cast before they gave up because it was setting crooked. Surgery and a plate (still in there) and a few months of physical therapy to try to get the function back. At the last PT visit, I asked if I'd ever be able to play guitar and learned that it would have been great therapy. I still have some nerve problems, but I don't think it made me any worse than I already was. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Back in the 80's they had to pin my right index finger back together--a "not-so-softball" took a bad hop while I was playing shortstop. I lost the mobility of the first knuckle, so the joint below the tip doesn't bend, but once the pin was out and I stopped looking like Capt. Hook I was able to fingerpick again.
Then I caught the same one in a car window this spring, and I smooshed it again in roughly the same place. I can still play, and it doesn't look any worse, but that's one more incidentally-deadly thing I need to stay away from. ;)
--Karen |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Also back in the 80's - I was in my late teens and after a long night of partying, I was a bit tired and decided to lay down on the trunk of my buddy's car... about 30 seconds later, he hops in, turns on the car and heads off for home. The ensuing dive off of the car wasn't great, but I stuck the landing - with my left wrist (actually the head hit first - so I didn't feel anything!). I was out of commission for months with multiple fractures. Ouch. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Many years ago SWMBO was in the habit of locking the car without the keys (by holding the handle up as you shut the driver's door) and locked her finger in the door. She had to hunt around in her handbag to find the keys (with one hand) to get the keys out and free her finger. Luckily there was no long term damage. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | scary stories.
To Alison's point I think I'm getting a bit of Aurthur-itus in my fingers, the joints just don't work like they used to. I find the warm humid Florida better for them. and most importantly BIG NECKS! I can't play 1 11/16 anymore. I've got big hands anyway but it's just impossible now to make the tight turns for the C or Am or D on a 1 11/16. the 1 3/4 is really important but it has to have a nice V beef to it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Am I the only one who has hit his right thumb with a hammer? Twice!! I did it and I played that night. Not very well but made it through the gig.
BTW: I'm left handed. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by The Artist (FKA Richard):
Luckily there was no long term damage. That's great news! Repairing doors can be expen$ive...  |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by Mauvais Beal:
1 11/16. the 1 3/4 is really important but it has to have a nice V beef to it. You should check out the neck on the 125 anniversary Washburn Pallor... chunkiest "v" I've ever seen...
check-out the pics on this forum post... scroll down a bit. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Whitehead & I checked out that guitar at a SamAsh near my house . . .
. . they ARE pretty cool guitars.
The neck is almost "triangular" . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Originally posted by Mauvais Beal:
Did she make a second batch of Flan? If so when is desert, it's my fav too. Wow! I didn't think my sister's pain would become a big part of this thread.
I personally HATE Flan. Sorry for the comparison,
but, all I can think of is Flem when I've eaten it. I know, grow up. Just one of those things. :rolleyes: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 803
Location: Avondale, AZ | Slipkid, you can play again. I finally stopped avoiding the obvious. After more than two years of theropy, I know now that I will never regain full control and dexterity of my right hand. That part of my brain is gone from a stroke. I've made great strides in my physical recovery and no longer drool and can speak but my right hand has hit its limit. I am very inacorrate and off time with my picking, but at least I didn't stick my hand in a bear cage. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Originally posted by Mauvais Beal:
To Alison's point I think I'm getting a bit of Aurthur-itus in my fingers, the joints just don't work like they used to. Are you taking 1500mg of glucosomine every day? If not, why not? It also helps to use a cream that has glucosomine in it. I noticed my hands get better from rubbing the cream into my dicky knee. The tablets take several months to work, so be patient. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | The glucosamine is a great idea--unless you're allergic to shellfish. If so, and you take some, you may never have to worry about your guitar playing again--or anything else, for that matter.
(I found out the hard way; it didn't involve a trip to the emergency room, but it could have...a word to the wise is sufficient.)
--Karen |
|
| |
The Dreaded Right Hand Injury