Finger joint fusion for guitarist?

[Curmudgeon]

Does anyone know, or know of, a guitarist who has had fusion of the LH
4th finger distal joint? My arthritis has advanced to a point where I
can hardly play any more (I'm 67), and my ortho is recommending a
fusion.

I tried splinting/taping the finger to see if I could still play, and
the results were inconclusive - taping/splinting is not the same as an
actual fusion.

Any insights or advice would be appreciated - I'm wondering, for
example, how much flexibility would remain in the first two joints,
and if a fusion could withstand the pressures exerted on the joint by
pressing the strings down to the fingerboard.