In 1975, I was riding a bike to work and was struck by a panel truck which had run a stop sign. My left hand took the worst of it, with my left index finger badly mangled. One ER doc was ready to amputate when another recommended the hand surgeon who saved the day. Long and short, I thought I might never again being able to bar chord - if chord at all. Fortunately, after several surgeries and a lot of rehab, I was able to use the guitar as therapy to keep the tendons in the repaired finger and knuckle moving freely. With some minor limitations, I can play still. I was warned about probable arthritis in the joint, but have not experienced it to date.

I don't know what long-term effect not being able to play would have had on me, but I didn't enjoy contemplating it.