wheel on a sick cycle carousel

Once I turn my 40GB Ipod on, I choose a playlist/band, then song...When I try to go back to main menu or even back to bands playlist, the buttons on the wheel only respond by going through the cycles of "how many times played" or "song rating" or "fast forward" or etc. It won't allow me to get back to the main menu.

If i'm lucky, I am able to advance back if I touch the very edge on the outside of the wheel with my fingernail. However, it seems to be getting worse.

So, I'm assuming that the buttons have become damaged and am wondering how this could be fixed.