Man, that sucked

[kvk]

So I went out at lunch today to Rollerblade a bit. Changed at the gym but didn't pack a lock so I put all my stuff in my backpack and headed out the biketrail. Big mistake. Way out of balance and I hit a sidewalk crack and went down backwards.

So I get a little scrap on my elbow, wrist pad took the brunt of the fall. Finger feels funny and a quick looks shows my index finger on my right hand with a 30deg bend sideways at the first knuckle up. Kinda grosses me out so I grabbed it with my other hand and yanked hard and pressed my thumb against the side of the knuckel where there's a lump from the dislocated bone. A quite audible click and it snaps right back in. Doesn't even hurt too bad. 100% movement. Of course, I know it's going to swell a bit.

So I figure, I should go back, take some Ibuprofen and ice it. That of course means I continue my lunch time skate for 45 minutes and then go back and shower. Then the Ibuprofen and ice. Go to the Dr? I supposed it'd be a good opportunity to use the "Doctor, Doctor, will I be able to play the violin?" joke but what's he gonna do, why bother.

It's a bit stiff but it doesn't hurt to type so I figure it'll be fine in a week. I guess it's picking drills for a few days.

-Ken

[Darryl Wolfe]

Rollerblades....mandolin......pick one. #Try golf?

[midmando]

F5 you sound like my bro. in law. When I broke my hand rollerblading all he had to say was, "Did you ever notice when adults try to do kids' stuff they get hurt?"http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

kvk I feel your pain - sounds like you'll be good to go in no time though.

[Joe F]

If you had been wearing a backpack-type gig bag with the mandolin inside, it would have cushioned your fall. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[ira]

bummmmmmmmmmmmmmmer! be glad it wasn't worse. a week aint too bad, practice crosspicking drills on open strings (at least its melodic)

[mmukav]

Dude, where's my knuckle? Seriously though, the ice and ibuprofen are a good idea, but I'd definitely splint your finger for at least a week. If you get hold of a finger splint, make sure your finger is slightly bent when splinted, don't do the 'popsicle' stick thing because it puts too much tension on the ligaments. In lieu of a proper splint you can tape it to the finger next to it. You can take the splint off to play but I would rest it as much as you can. A dislocated finger can take quite a while to heal, and seeing it's your index finger it's a finger that you depend on a lot. Good luck. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Lee]

Dude, go the doctor. Don't play down the injury just to stroke your own macho ego. 99% chance a Doc will make no difference. How important to you is the mando playing; worth the 1% risk?

[Bobbie Dier]

I agree with Lee957. Go to the Dr. At least get an Xray. You may have broken something.You might have to wait twice as long to recuperate. Nip it in the bud! Take care of it now while it's fresh.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

Probably aggravated it typing this post, huh Ken?

[solerydr]

6 years ago I had a mountian bike wreck that caused my hand to travel 4 inches down the side of my left wrist. I didnt play mandolin at the time but was a notable local guitarist. After months with an external fixater and rehab, I found that my range of motion was limited. Forget a properly fretted F bar chord. I got interested in mandolin about 2 yrs. ago and due to my prevous gtr experience, adapted quickly. Now my future as a profesional musician seems stronger that it ever had on guitar. Moral; breaking bones hurts! My band (http://www.soundclick.com/pro/?BandID=141079)