The Musician’s Hand

Hand Surgeon for Musicians: Specialized Care for Your Most Valuable Instrument 

Your Hands Are Your Instrument. We’re Here to Protect Your Craft. 

For a musician, an injury or condition that threatens your hands threatens your passion, your expression, and your livelihood. We provide a high level of subspecialized care, combining a deep knowledge of the hand as an instrument in itself and an appreciation for the demands of your art with the most advanced surgical techniques to restore the fine dexterity and endurance your music requires. 

We Understand the Nuances of Your Art 

The musician’s hand is distinct. It is an instrument in and of itself, requiring a level of speed, precision, and endurance that is among the most demanding of any human activity. We recognize that a problem that might be a minor inconvenience for someone else—a slight loss of dexterity, a subtle change in sensation—can be a career-altering issue for you. Our entire approach is built around this understanding. 

Everyone is unique: the hands of a pianist will have different functional requirements to a cellist, violinist, or drummer. Musicians are encouraged to bring their specific instrument(s) to the consultation for Dr. French to study the interaction between the musician’s hand and their instrument. 

Expert Treatment for the Ailments of the Dedicated Musician 

Nerve Compression Syndromes 

• Countless hours of practice can lead to “pinched” nerves in the wrist or elbow. Conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can cause the devastating numbness, tingling, or weakness that can silence a performance. Learn more about our approach to nerve conditions. 

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) 

• The intense, repetitive movements needed to master an instrument can lead to painful tendonitis or frustrating mechanical problems like Trigger Finger that disrupt the fluid motion your playing demands. Explore solutions for RSI. 

Arthritis & Joint Pain 

• Chronic joint pain from arthritis, especially at the base of the thumb (CMC joint), can make it impossible to hold your instrument correctly or endure a long session. We offer advanced surgical solutions to relieve pain and restore function. See our treatments for arthritis. 

 A Meticulous Process to Get You Back to Performing 

1. Performance & Technique Analysis 

• Our process begins with listening. We take the time to understand your instrument, your playing style, and exactly how your symptoms are impacting your speed, precision, and endurance. 

2. Advanced Diagnostics 

• We utilize a comprehensive physical examination and advanced imaging technologies (when appropriate) to pinpoint the exact anatomical source of your problem. 

3. Function-Preserving Surgery 

• If surgery is required, we employ meticulous technique designed to solve the underlying problem while protecting every millimeter of function that is critical to your craft. 

4. Return-to-Play Program 

• We believe in a collaborative recovery. We work closely with you and your  Certified Hand Therapist to create a safe, gradual, and instrument-specific return-to-playing program. 

When Millimeters Make the Difference 

A musician’s career is built on the flawless function of microscopic structures. The glide of a tendon just a few millimeters wide, or the perfect signal from a nerve no thicker than a piece of thread, can be the difference between a flawless performance and a career-ending limitation. As a Harvard-trained plastic surgeon subspecializing in Hand and Wrist surgery, Dr. French has the training and experience required to operate with this level of precision, protecting and restoring the fine dexterity that is the lifeblood of your art.