You too?! Dude, it happened to me, too. I was working in a factory and the some idiot unlocked the cut table on the band saw (which we weren’t supposed to do) and didn’t lock it back in place. I went to cut something and the table flipped and my hand got knocked into the blade! The very same joint you are referring to got cut at a diagonal angle. It was hanging on. I had emergency surgery to fully reattach it. It severed the nerve and radial tendon. That was around 1997 and I still have limited feeling in the tip. It is SLOWLY coming back as the nerve regrows over the years. I still have limited motion which impacts my bending, vibrato methods, and fretting of certain chords. I used to be able to do two-step bends with my index finger, alone. Now, I have to use two fingers for wide bends. I tried to play guitar after surgery and therapy but the nerve issue f...ed with me. It felt like an electrical shock shooting up my arm and into my shoulder every time a string pressed against the severed end of the nerve. I studied classical and Flamenco guitar. I practiced EVERY DAY. I played while watching TV. I played every time I could, so much so that girlfriends would get jealous about how much time I spent playing guitar. Music is my passion so after the accident and subsequent surgery I fell into deep depression and gave up on myself, musically. I pawned my JCM 900 FULL STACK, my Jackson Fusion XL Pro (that is the guitar I was playing in my profile pic), my ‘74 Strat, my Peavy PA system and mics and joined the military. While in the military I met guys who had a band and became their lead vocalist. We gigged off base, in various in Japan. Anyhow, I eventually decided to get back into guitar and bought another Gibson Challenger II (because my first electric was a Challenger II). While in Japan, my storage unit here in the United States got broken into and the remainder of my guitars, amps and recording equipment got stolen (an ‘83 Strat, Heritage Goldtop Les Paul, an Antares V and a custom). Oddly, and luckily, they didn’t steal my vintage (late ‘60s) Vox Cambridge Reverb amp. I’ve slowly rebuilt my collection. With the Challenger, a ‘71 Yamaha SA50 semi-hollowbody, a Tele, a Jackson V and a Jazz bass. I am, obviously, older than you (based on the time frames I gave you). But, I agree. Never give up your passion. I used to use .10 or even .11 gauge (but I always tuned to D standard). Now, I am using a lighter gauge, but that is only to build up strength. My rhythm playing is back up to par (got to build up more strength in my forearms, though. I need to do extended down-picking drills to build up stamina). I am breaking out my old Marty Friedman and Gary Holt instructional videos to get my lead skills back. I used to practice Marty Friedman lessons EVERY DAY as if they were my religion. 😂 Anyhow, I first discovered your videos and channel because I was starting my decade-long delayed rehab and your video on Megadeth songs helped inspire me to learn to play, again. I used your videos to relearn some songs. So, from an older, factory scarred guitarist with, pretty much the same type of injury, thank you for putting out those videos. We are both in the same boat, brother. But, neither one of us has fully given up. We cannot. Playing guitar is our passion. Keep at it, bro. I am, and we can both overcome this. FYI, I spent a couple of hours talking to Vinnie La Bella (formerly of Exhorder) at a gig. He told me he has an injury to his left arm that prevents him from bending it in certain directions. He’s fought through it and, I don’t know if you’ve ever listened to Exhorder (one of my all-time favorite groove metal bands), but Vinnie can play some AWESOME rhythms. So, injuries can be overcome. 😁👍🏻 P.S., I am recording demos of my older songs. I always write for dual solos. So, I leave a bridge or two open for another guitarist to do their solos. (I like the style contrasts of solos.) Once I get them done, I will be looking for another guitarist to collaborate with (digitally if need be). My main influences, rhythmically, are Mike Wead (specifically from his Hexanhaus and Abstrakt Alegbra days), Exodus and Megadeth. 😁 My first influence was Hexanhaus, then Exodus. I didn’t pick up on any Mustaine things until after I already established a style between my first influences, so there are only a few Megadeth elements in my rhythm playing.
Damn a table saw!? Coulda taken off your arm! Funny how many of us factory guys are musicians eh? Putting our hands on the line to make a living.... I'm glad you never gave up. I think you're like me, if you lost your one hand you would flip the guitar over and start learning lefty! Thanks so much for the support man, it means alot! Keep at it brother, you got this! ✊
Oroku Saki, yep. It was my left index finger that got injured. That is an very important digit for playing guitar for right-handed players. I still cannot bend the tip of that finger like I can all the others. But, that is because I LOST a portion of the tendon because it was a course gauge blade, so it just chewed through the finger/nerve/tendon. What ever the width of the flat side of the blade was, that is how much length I lost from the tendon. It is only a very tiny millimeter amount, but that is enough to impact movement.
@@ThrashRebel wow exactly the same as me man...they had to pull it together and stitch it so it's about a 1/8 inch shorter. With the index finger you're like Chris Poland man ✊
Oroku Saki, yeah, I’ve been practicing Chris Poland licks within the past two years. I notice that he uses multiple fingers to pull off wide bends, too. I didn’t realize his index is shorter. My finger isn’t shorter, just the tendon inside is shorter. But, regarding Poland, ons of the things that attracts me to Poland (and Friedman’s) style is the use of bends. I like the wide and micro (slur) bends. They add so much feel to solos.
@@ThrashRebel oh yeah he's a monster. His finger actually isnt shorter, he cut his extensor tendon on a plate glass window as a kid so now it's dead straight. One of my heroes!
This was enormously reassuring and helpful. I’m a pianist and I had a mallet injury of my left 4th finger. I’m on my 4th week of splinting and I’m going to follow your excellent advice. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.
ahhhhh I wish I had found this 3 weeks ago - 3 weeks in, and as a harpist and pianist I am getting so frustrated at having the splint on, my finger gets so sore too... well, no more sneaking the splint off... 😕 It's good to hear from a fellow musician about this.
This just happened to me today, very similar to your case. Tendon was completely severed/need surgery to reattach asap. Thanks for the helpful info and the positive attitude. Keep jammin
@@orokusaki8291 appreciate the optimism bud. I sure hope so. Love to play guitar and hope when it’s all said and done it has minimal impact on my playing.. Hows your finger now a days? funny thought- our band name could be (the severed extensors)
@@qurklewsssounds good to me! For me, I can play anything I did prior to cutting the tendon. The only thing is that I use that finger to bend alot, i had to switch to a lighter guage or it would get sore after awhile. Other than that, back at it!
Appreciate this dude. Im on week 7, middle finger fretting hand :( But I've had a good recovery until now and this has improved my optimism. Just getting it out of the splint for a few hours a day and doing a few exercises. I'll definitely get the putty after watching this as I have had no guidance from my doctors and so I'm doing the physio myself. Thanks for the advice! Love Black Sabbath Love SRV. Peace
Hay man,I know this was 11months ago.Im on my 7th week too right now and taking it off a few hours.Can you tell me how yours went?Is it fully functional now?
@@viologiko44 Yo dude. Yep fully functional. Doesn't have any perceptible impact on my playing. I did see a hand speciallist. So when you get it out of the splint after the 8-10 week mark its unlikely to become mallet again. Then Start some solid movement exercises but dont force your finger into positions with your other hand yet. Get it moving. It's ok to experience pain when exercising, that's how you will regain mobility so long as its naturally occurring and not caused by using your other hand to force it to bend. Exercise it 4 times a day for 20 minutes after the 8-10 week period. Also moisturising and massaging the knuckle/injury before hand really helps. As well as warm heat treatments. Better to exercise it warm than cold. Less sore. Hope this helps man
@@viologiko44 No probs, I was too by the 7 week mark which is why i decided to go to the specialist but luckily to that point I had been doing things right and keeping the finger straight 100% of the time. Anyway, hope the rest of your recovery goes well!
@@orokusaki8291 Hi splint has come off and the finger is straight. When did you attempt to bend the fingertip? My finger is still swollen and I'm worried it might snap again if I start physio to soon.
@@robertthejack hey man glad to hear that! I was still having the splint on full time, but once the physiotherapist gave me the ok I started doing excersises a few times a day. Are you in touch with a physiotherapist at the moment?
@@joaonunes7783 i'm so sorry that happened to you.... try not to worry though. Where there is a will, there is a way! Follow your doctors orders and you'll be playing again in no time💪🏾
@@orokusaki8291 Thank you for the kind words of hope,i was really needing it, since the idea of being disabled fir life is depressing in itself. Really man, keep doing the great work you are doing, that is really something we need in this cold world
hi! thanks for the advice and for being so reassuring. obviously you're not a doctor but you ve been through the experience so i will ask a few questions if you don t mind I had a custom splint made and while it keeps my finger from bending i kind of feel like the joint wiggles a bit inside, like it's not tight enough around the joint. was your splint really tight? i guess i'm worried that maybe the finger won't heal if it wiggles around (it's very little) , even if i'm not bending it how did you check that your finger got better? did you just wait the 6 weeks and then hoped it was fine. or did you check it somehow in this time period? like maybe after 4 weeks go see a doctor and see if it droops back or not or whatever. i m worried the splint is wrong and i m just waiting and making it worse. i have a doctor in my city that deals with mallet finger injuries but i can't say i completely trust him, that's why i m asking here too. and i don't really have any alternatives either. thanks a lot!
Hey there! When I had my splint made they had to adjust it after a day because it was too tight, pinching the end of the finger. After that it had a tiny bit of space but definately not enough room to bend it! Unfortunately they told me it's absolutely imperative to not bend it at all until they said so. Your doctor probably gave you a set time (6 weeks or more) that it has to be immobile before they can see your progress. It's very frustrating, but please don't be tempted to try and bend it before then because you'll end up starting all over again! Hope that helps!
@@orokusaki8291 yeah thanks for the reply. i guess it s actually ok and i was just imagining that it can bend inside the splint because it's not 100% immobilized (which it shouldn t be anyway, you still need blood to flow there!). and i checked last time i got the finger out of the splint for cleaning (without bending of course) and by comparing the finger with the shape of the splint i was able to tell that the finger is actually in a good position inside the splint (straight with just a hint of hyperextension). so i guess i was just paranoid so thanks and sorry to bother you. and yeah i understand that i just have to keep it on for 8 weeks and then start therapy. thanks again!
Little fun fact, I just picked up a signed TI100 amp and two signed TI412S cabinets! Signed by the man himself! When I get them, I’ll make a video and send you the link. P.S. if you’re interested, there’s a complete signed double stack that’s set #18 out of 24 signed sets from The End tour! I’ll send ya the link. Laney Ti100-Watt Tony Iommi Signature Tube Guitar Amp Head and 2 x 4 x 12 Cabs reverb.com/p/laney-gh100ti-single-channel-100-watt-tony-iommi-signature-tube-guitar-amp-head
@@orokusaki8291 I have no idea if it was cut or only injured but I got it when I punched the wall, it was bent and I couldn’t straight it, now I took the splinter off after 6 weeks of healing process but it’s still a bit bent, I hope it will get straight after a while and I can use it as usual.
@@Kotarofumaaa hmm yeah impact type. Have you been doing physio? After 6 weeks you should only be doing excersises and wearing the splint all the time still
You too?! Dude, it happened to me, too.
I was working in a factory and the some idiot unlocked the cut table on the band saw (which we weren’t supposed to do) and didn’t lock it back in place.
I went to cut something and the table flipped and my hand got knocked into the blade!
The very same joint you are referring to got cut at a diagonal angle. It was hanging on. I had emergency surgery to fully reattach it.
It severed the nerve and radial tendon.
That was around 1997 and I still have limited feeling in the tip. It is SLOWLY coming back as the nerve regrows over the years. I still have limited motion which impacts my bending, vibrato methods, and fretting of certain chords. I used to be able to do two-step bends with my index finger, alone. Now, I have to use two fingers for wide bends.
I tried to play guitar after surgery and therapy but the nerve issue f...ed with me. It felt like an electrical shock shooting up my arm and into my shoulder every time a string pressed against the severed end of the nerve.
I studied classical and Flamenco guitar. I practiced EVERY DAY. I played while watching TV. I played every time I could, so much so that girlfriends would get jealous about how much time I spent playing guitar.
Music is my passion so after the accident and subsequent surgery I fell into deep depression and gave up on myself, musically. I pawned my JCM 900 FULL STACK, my Jackson Fusion XL Pro (that is the guitar I was playing in my profile pic), my ‘74 Strat, my Peavy PA system and mics and joined the military.
While in the military I met guys who had a band and became their lead vocalist. We gigged off base, in various in Japan.
Anyhow, I eventually decided to get back into guitar and bought another Gibson Challenger II (because my first electric was a Challenger II).
While in Japan, my storage unit here in the United States got broken into and the remainder of my guitars, amps and recording equipment got stolen (an ‘83 Strat, Heritage Goldtop Les Paul, an Antares V and a custom). Oddly, and luckily, they didn’t steal my vintage (late ‘60s) Vox Cambridge Reverb amp.
I’ve slowly rebuilt my collection. With the Challenger, a ‘71 Yamaha SA50 semi-hollowbody, a Tele, a Jackson V and a Jazz bass.
I am, obviously, older than you (based on the time frames I gave you). But, I agree. Never give up your passion.
I used to use .10 or even .11 gauge (but I always tuned to D standard).
Now, I am using a lighter gauge, but that is only to build up strength.
My rhythm playing is back up to par (got to build up more strength in my forearms, though. I need to do extended down-picking drills to build up stamina). I am breaking out my old Marty Friedman and Gary Holt instructional videos to get my lead skills back.
I used to practice Marty Friedman lessons EVERY DAY as if they were my religion.
😂
Anyhow, I first discovered your videos and channel because I was starting my decade-long delayed rehab and your video on Megadeth songs helped inspire me to learn to play, again. I used your videos to relearn some songs.
So, from an older, factory scarred guitarist with, pretty much the same type of injury, thank you for putting out those videos.
We are both in the same boat, brother. But, neither one of us has fully given up.
We cannot. Playing guitar is our passion.
Keep at it, bro. I am, and we can both overcome this.
FYI, I spent a couple of hours talking to Vinnie La Bella (formerly of Exhorder) at a gig. He told me he has an injury to his left arm that prevents him from bending it in certain directions. He’s fought through it and, I don’t know if you’ve ever listened to Exhorder (one of my all-time favorite groove metal bands), but Vinnie can play some AWESOME rhythms. So, injuries can be overcome.
😁👍🏻
P.S., I am recording demos of my older songs. I always write for dual solos. So, I leave a bridge or two open for another guitarist to do their solos. (I like the style contrasts of solos.)
Once I get them done, I will be looking for another guitarist to collaborate with (digitally if need be).
My main influences, rhythmically, are Mike Wead (specifically from his Hexanhaus and Abstrakt Alegbra days), Exodus and Megadeth.
😁
My first influence was Hexanhaus, then Exodus. I didn’t pick up on any Mustaine things until after I already established a style between my first influences, so there are only a few Megadeth elements in my rhythm playing.
Damn a table saw!? Coulda taken off your arm! Funny how many of us factory guys are musicians eh? Putting our hands on the line to make a living....
I'm glad you never gave up. I think you're like me, if you lost your one hand you would flip the guitar over and start learning lefty! Thanks so much for the support man, it means alot! Keep at it brother, you got this! ✊
Oroku Saki, yep. It was my left index finger that got injured. That is an very important digit for playing guitar for right-handed players.
I still cannot bend the tip of that finger like I can all the others. But, that is because I LOST a portion of the tendon because it was a course gauge blade, so it just chewed through the finger/nerve/tendon. What ever the width of the flat side of the blade was, that is how much length I lost from the tendon. It is only a very tiny millimeter amount, but that is enough to impact movement.
@@ThrashRebel wow exactly the same as me man...they had to pull it together and stitch it so it's about a 1/8 inch shorter. With the index finger you're like Chris Poland man ✊
Oroku Saki, yeah, I’ve been practicing Chris Poland licks within the past two years.
I notice that he uses multiple fingers to pull off wide bends, too. I didn’t realize his index is shorter. My finger isn’t shorter, just the tendon inside is shorter.
But, regarding Poland, ons of the things that attracts me to Poland (and Friedman’s) style is the use of bends. I like the wide and micro (slur) bends. They add so much feel to solos.
@@ThrashRebel oh yeah he's a monster. His finger actually isnt shorter, he cut his extensor tendon on a plate glass window as a kid so now it's dead straight. One of my heroes!
This was enormously reassuring and helpful. I’m a pianist and I had a mallet injury of my left 4th finger. I’m on my 4th week of splinting and I’m going to follow your excellent advice. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.
I'm so sorry to hear about your injury! I had no idea how common it was myself, but thankfully you'll be back to playing soon. Stay strong!
Man, total Tony Iommi deja vu for sure! Glad it’s all healed up. Keep with the physical therapy, you’re an awesome player.
Thanks so much man! ✊ The surgeon was a Sabbath fan and was mentioning Iommi. At least I still got the finger tips!
Oroku Saki reverb.com/p/laney-gh100ti-single-channel-100-watt-tony-iommi-signature-tube-guitar-amp-head
Oroku Saki I sent ya a link for Tony Iommi signed full stack # 18 of 24.
ahhhhh I wish I had found this 3 weeks ago - 3 weeks in, and as a harpist and pianist I am getting so frustrated at having the splint on, my finger gets so sore too... well, no more sneaking the splint off... 😕 It's good to hear from a fellow musician about this.
Yes it's extremely frustrating! Just have patience and you'll be back to it in no time, hope all goes well for you!
This just happened to me today, very similar to your case. Tendon was completely severed/need surgery to reattach asap. Thanks for the helpful info and the positive attitude. Keep jammin
I'm sorry to hear that! Just remember you can bounce back from this, stay strong and be patient!
@@orokusaki8291 appreciate the optimism bud. I sure hope so. Love to play guitar and hope when it’s all said and done it has minimal impact on my playing.. Hows your finger now a days? funny thought- our band name could be (the severed extensors)
@@qurklewsssounds good to me! For me, I can play anything I did prior to cutting the tendon. The only thing is that I use that finger to bend alot, i had to switch to a lighter guage or it would get sore after awhile. Other than that, back at it!
Thank you, super helpful. I’ve got a few months ahead of me to not play guitar… never playing basketball again!
Sorry to hear that sir! It happens, you'll be back at it in no time! 💪🏾
Appreciate this dude. Im on week 7, middle finger fretting hand :( But I've had a good recovery until now and this has improved my optimism. Just getting it out of the splint for a few hours a day and doing a few exercises. I'll definitely get the putty after watching this as I have had no guidance from my doctors and so I'm doing the physio myself. Thanks for the advice! Love Black Sabbath Love SRV. Peace
Thanks for the kind words man! I'm sorry to hear about your injury.... keep at it and you'll be rockin again in no time💪🏾💪🏾
Hay man,I know this was 11months ago.Im on my 7th week too right now and taking it off a few hours.Can you tell me how yours went?Is it fully functional now?
@@viologiko44 Yo dude. Yep fully functional. Doesn't have any perceptible impact on my playing. I did see a hand speciallist. So when you get it out of the splint after the 8-10 week mark its unlikely to become mallet again. Then Start some solid movement exercises but dont force your finger into positions with your other hand yet. Get it moving. It's ok to experience pain when exercising, that's how you will regain mobility so long as its naturally occurring and not caused by using your other hand to force it to bend. Exercise it 4 times a day for 20 minutes after the 8-10 week period. Also moisturising and massaging the knuckle/injury before hand really helps. As well as warm heat treatments. Better to exercise it warm than cold. Less sore.
Hope this helps man
@@seandev6222 Thanks a lot man,this definitely helped a lot. I was stressing out.
@@viologiko44 No probs, I was too by the 7 week mark which is why i decided to go to the specialist but luckily to that point I had been doing things right and keeping the finger straight 100% of the time. Anyway, hope the rest of your recovery goes well!
Thanks so much for the hope! Distressful injury. For me, Accordian and castanets! Fingers crossed, week 6.
Hang in there! You'll be back at it in no time!
Great advice thanks. I'm a classical guitarist and stubbed my middle finger. Hope I can play again.
Oh no! Just take it slow man! You'll be back shredding the mozart soon 💪
@@orokusaki8291 splint comes of on May 7th
@@robertthejack good luck buddy! Take it slow!
@@orokusaki8291 Hi splint has come off and the finger is straight. When did you attempt to bend the fingertip? My finger is still swollen and I'm worried it might snap again if I start physio to soon.
@@robertthejack hey man glad to hear that! I was still having the splint on full time, but once the physiotherapist gave me the ok I started doing excersises a few times a day. Are you in touch with a physiotherapist at the moment?
I got this injury at my 3rd left hand finger, i am afraid and anxious that i will never be able to play guitar and bass again
@@joaonunes7783 i'm so sorry that happened to you.... try not to worry though. Where there is a will, there is a way! Follow your doctors orders and you'll be playing again in no time💪🏾
@@orokusaki8291 Thank you for the kind words of hope,i was really needing it, since the idea of being disabled fir life is depressing in itself.
Really man, keep doing the great work you are doing, that is really something we need in this cold world
Great advice man! 🤘
hi! thanks for the advice and for being so reassuring. obviously you're not a doctor but you ve been through the experience so i will ask a few questions if you don t mind
I had a custom splint made and while it keeps my finger from bending i kind of feel like the joint wiggles a bit inside, like it's not tight enough around the joint. was your splint really tight? i guess i'm worried that maybe the finger won't heal if it wiggles around (it's very little) , even if i'm not bending it
how did you check that your finger got better? did you just wait the 6 weeks and then hoped it was fine. or did you check it somehow in this time period? like maybe after 4 weeks go see a doctor and see if it droops back or not or whatever. i m worried the splint is wrong and i m just waiting and making it worse.
i have a doctor in my city that deals with mallet finger injuries but i can't say i completely trust him, that's why i m asking here too. and i don't really have any alternatives either. thanks a lot!
Hey there! When I had my splint made they had to adjust it after a day because it was too tight, pinching the end of the finger. After that it had a tiny bit of space but definately not enough room to bend it!
Unfortunately they told me it's absolutely imperative to not bend it at all until they said so. Your doctor probably gave you a set time (6 weeks or more) that it has to be immobile before they can see your progress. It's very frustrating, but please don't be tempted to try and bend it before then because you'll end up starting all over again! Hope that helps!
@@orokusaki8291 yeah thanks for the reply. i guess it s actually ok and i was just imagining that it can bend inside the splint because it's not 100% immobilized (which it shouldn t be anyway, you still need blood to flow there!). and i checked last time i got the finger out of the splint for cleaning (without bending of course) and by comparing the finger with the shape of the splint i was able to tell that the finger is actually in a good position inside the splint (straight with just a hint of hyperextension). so i guess i was just paranoid so thanks and sorry to bother you.
and yeah i understand that i just have to keep it on for 8 weeks and then start therapy. thanks again!
@@TheBodyferr no problem buddy! Hope everything goes smooth for you! ✊
Little fun fact, I just picked up a signed TI100 amp and two signed TI412S cabinets! Signed by the man himself! When I get them, I’ll make a video and send you the link. P.S. if you’re interested, there’s a complete signed double stack that’s set #18 out of 24 signed sets from The End tour! I’ll send ya the link.
Laney Ti100-Watt Tony Iommi Signature Tube Guitar Amp Head and 2 x 4 x 12 Cabs
reverb.com/p/laney-gh100ti-single-channel-100-watt-tony-iommi-signature-tube-guitar-amp-head
Wow that's amazing! Can't wait to hear you blast it man! Unfortunately according to my wife i've hit the maximum level of wattage haha.
Oroku Saki dude, tell her it’s an investment! Which it is for sure!!!🤣🤘🏻 That’s how I got past my wife stroking over the $6,000 price tag!
@@remembertheblacksabbath 😝😝
Bro mine has healed but it’s still a bit bent, is it going to straighten later?
Was your tendon cut? Or was it an impact injury? Mine's got a slight bend but the tendon was chewed up so it was pulled together and sewn.
@@orokusaki8291 I have no idea if it was cut or only injured but I got it when I punched the wall, it was bent and I couldn’t straight it, now I took the splinter off after 6 weeks of healing process but it’s still a bit bent, I hope it will get straight after a while and I can use it as usual.
@@Kotarofumaaa hmm yeah impact type. Have you been doing physio? After 6 weeks you should only be doing excersises and wearing the splint all the time still
@@orokusaki8291 na bro they told me 6 weeks is enough and you should be wearing the splinter 2 more weeks only when you sleep and exercise.
@@Kotarofumaaa you should only be taking it off to do the excercises. If you go too fast you're right back at the start. Be careful!