Patient Story of: Regina Carter-Garnett

One morning in August 2023, I woke up with a knot behind my right shoulder blade and tingling down my right arm. Assuming I had simply slept wrong, I scheduled a couple of massages and underwent several chiropractic and acupuncture treatments. Nothing helped. When I began dropping my violin bow, I realized something was seriously wrong.

I consulted three different spine specialists, but it was a friend who ultimately changed the course of my care. She called and made an appointment for me to see Dr. Han Jo Kim at HSS, having experienced a successful surgery with him years earlier. While I was sitting in the waiting room, another friend texted me. When I mentioned that I was about to meet with Dr. Kim, she replied, “We know Dr. Kim—he serves on the board with us at the Manhattan School of Music.”

During my pre-exam, I explained my symptoms to a resident and told him that I was a professional violinist who needed a surgeon capable of understanding the physical demands and fine motor intricacies of my profession. The resident immediately perked up and said, “Dr. Kim plays the violin.”

Those two moments felt like signs from the universe that Dr. Kim was meant to be my surgeon.

From the beginning, Dr. Kim and his entire team were kind, patient, and responsive. He carefully explained what was happening with my spine, outlined the procedure he planned to perform, and prepared me for the possibility that a second surgery might eventually be necessary.

On December 27, 2023, Dr. Kim performed a cervical laminectomy at C4–6, cervical dome laminectomies at C3 and C7, and right-sided cervical foraminotomies at C6–7 and C7–T1. After surgery, the first thing I noticed was that the tingling in my arm was gone—a tremendous relief.

For occupational therapy, I worked with Aviva L. Wolff at HSS. During my first session, she reminded me that we had met years earlier at a presentation she had given for Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians. Aviva designed exercises tailored specifically to my recovery and even created a custom brace to support the muscles in my right hand. It allowed me to begin practicing how to hold my violin bow again and gradually rebuild my strength.

On September 4, 2024, Dr. Kim performed my second surgery: an anterior cervical decompression and fusion at C7–T2, including the insertion of an anterior cervical plate system to stabilize my spine. Remarkably, I felt well enough to go home the very next day and celebrate my twentieth wedding anniversary with my husband, drummer Alvester Garnett.

The physical recovery was only part of the journey. The emotional healing proved equally challenging. Following surgery, I experienced a deep depression. I kept my diagnosis and struggles largely private, fearing that presenters would stop hiring me if they knew I was dealing with spinal stenosis. At times, I truly believed my performing career was over.

As I spoke with other musicians facing their own physical challenges, I discovered that many shared the same fear—that disclosing an injury or medical condition might cost them work. Those conversations inspired me to create The Musician’s Body Shop on Facebook and Instagram, where I openly share my story and provide information about the medical professionals who have helped me along the way.

I am deeply grateful to Dr. Han Jo Kim, Aviva L. Wolff, and Gwen Weinstock-Zlotnick at HSS, as well as the many healthcare professionals across the country who have supported me throughout my recovery. Thanks to their expertise, the encouragement of family and friends, and a great deal of perseverance, I am continuing to heal and have begun performing again.

I couldn’t be more grateful.