Greetings List-members,
I have a patient who sustained an amputation of his left 2nd distal
phalanx. He plays guitar right handed therefore the left hand must
“fret” the strings. He is able to “bar” chords using the residuum flat
against the strings. But, lacking the ability to flex the absent DIP
joint, fretting individual strings is not possible without ‘buzzing”
adjacent strings.
If anyone has experience with this particular (or similar) scenario,
please share. Creative ideas are also welcome.
Patients idea:
A prosthetic finger that has a functional DIP operated through tenodesis
by the PIP would lay flat against the guitar neck for bar chords and
flex for individual notes.
A more practical solution may be a prosthetic finger with 30-45 degrees
of fixed DIP flexion, allowing individual notes to be depressed. Bar
chords may be impossible unless the material is resilient enough to
simulate DIP extension, laying flat against the guitar neck. But,
suspension may be problem; the force required to depress the strings
may leverage the prosthesis off the finger, restriction of PIP motion
may limit ability to place finger tip on the desired string to be
played.
Looking forward to many responses.
Best regards,
Robert Brown, MS, CPO
Clinical Director of Orthotics and Prosthetics
University of Rochester Medical Center
