Hey Mudlark,

The left hand is an area I know some of. I'd skip the cortizone and the surgery for now. I'd find a real inventive and caring Physical Therapist. Excersizes for range of motion may give you some relief from pain and keep you at the current level of ability.

Next I'd look at a different way to play the same thing further up the neck. A capo is a wonderous thing. The key of "C" has two chords that require a long reach. It will pay to learn a few inversions. Or as I do, play partial chords or modal chords that can be confused as either major or minor.

I strongly support the Autoharp as a therapy aid. It works a full range of motion, reach, compression, extension..... . Also consider a tenor guitar.

Look at playing the guitar turned over, ala Bill Staines. And look into the life of Byron Janus.

I hope I've offered some help. I can tell you that it is possible to play with a damaged hand.

Don