I'm happy for both of you, contentment is important. Here's another perspective.
I have used a modified technique for about seven years, limiting fingers in the same way you guys do (but in my plucking hand). I have recorded a CD, I play weddings and other functions etc. and make lots of people happy with my music.
However, after several years of doing this I realised I am not happy. I do not get fullfilment as I am not playing the music *I* want to play. I cannot play solo guitar properly, a huge chunk of repertoire is out of my reach and the (simple) material I do play is tough as my working fingers have to do so much work to cross strings that would normally be played by other fingers.
I saw a hand therapist who specialises in FD and she said that playing with my modified technique would in all likelyhood strengthen the FD - after all, I was teaching my brain that the other fingers were no longer required. Every time you pick up an instrument and play a certain way you are ingraining that way of playing, like adding another layer of wallpaper.
There is another risk - placing more demands on my remaining two playing fingers could mean the FD spreading there too, meaning total incapacitation.
I decided this year that enough was enough. My work is very seasonal (spring and summer) and this winter rather than learning new pieces or writing, I have devoted my time to retraining. Hopefully later in the year I will get to see Farias too.
