It's so weird how you never think of your fingers being connected, just individual joints. When my mom damaged her pinky, it affected her ring and middle finger. Digit injuries are especially painful. Poor Stuart. I hope he's getting some pain relief. My mom had to have a lot of hand physical therapy.
Yikes! Good luck with his back. He has my sympathy and compassion as I'm still recuperating from spine surgery from June. It takes over a year they say. Regardless, it sure is a lot better now than it was so I have no regrets. Back problems suck, they interfere with everything you do and it's hard not to think about anything else. I hope it's not serious enough for surgery. Good luck Stuart, I'll be thinking about you.