Lexington, Kentucky (December 9, 2021)-When you walk into Cliff Jackson's office, chances are you will find him hiding in the back corner-sitting behind his sleek black baby grand piano , Sift through piles of papers for music and sheet music.

Colorful leaflets and concert posters are scattered on the bright white brick walls, detailing Jackson's favorite music memories.  

"There are many options," Jackson said with a smile.

Although you may not see him sitting behind a pile of books at first, you can feel Jackson as soon as you walk into the room. He easily exudes confidence and charm, making you immediately comfortable. No wonder he has achieved such success as a music collaborator.

Jackson is a world-renowned pianist and vocal coach, accompanied by artists such as Catherine Battelle, Renata Scotto and Edda Moser. His decades-long career includes a series of outstanding achievements, having performed on domestic and international stages such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Royal Opera House and Vienna Music Association. His journey led him to the University of Kentucky in 1992 as a vocal coach at the British Opera and an associate professor at the British Academy of Music.

Jackson's reputation as one of the best in the industry has a humble beginning. At only 5 years old, he would sit in the small bedroom of Gary's home in Indiana and play the piano for several hours.

This is his creative escape. He quickly understood and learned to play the piano by ear.

"This is how my mother learned to play," Jackson said. "You can only tell others with your ears, so I just need to pick up things and start experimenting."

Growing up in Gary-a small town famous for famous musicians such as the Jackson family and Denise Williams-he was influenced by music. He found two of the greatest music teachers in the church.

"The wife of the church organist and the pastor, who is also the conductor of the choir, are excellent musicians," Jackson said. "I take piano lessons with them almost every day."

Jackson said he learned a lot from them, including music and life, especially after the death of his father when Jackson was 14 years old.

"After my father passed away, they were very supportive of me and my family," Jackson said. "They respect my mother very much. She is a young widow who is only 33 years old. She takes us to church every Sunday and they recognize what a good woman she is."

Over the years, Jackson's love for music has increased day by day. Although his three sisters were not interested in playing, Jackson continued to develop as an artist and eventually received a bachelor's degree at the Oberlin School of Music and then a graduate student at the Manhattan School of Music.

"Compared to playing the piano as a soloist, I have always preferred to play for a singer," Jackson said. "I have been in this job for a long time, and it makes me happy every day."

Perhaps this is why Jackson couldn't stay away from the stage. Although he retired from the UK in 2011, Jackson continued to teach as an honorary professor. But in the past year or so, Jackson worried that the future of his vocal coach and accompaniment might end sooner or later.

Jackson's ring finger and little finger had been numb for about a year, but he was hesitant to seek further treatment.

"I didn't pay much attention to it, but my doctor warned me that if I want to continue playing the piano and use my hands normally, I better do something," he said.

Jackson was referred to Maureen O'Shaughnessy, MD, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine in British Healthcare and provider of the British Healthcare Hand Center (Kentucky's only comprehensive hand surgery service).

After the physical examination, Jackson underwent a nerve conduction study to evaluate the electrical signals conducted by nerves in different parts of the arm. This test helps to pinpoint where compression occurs.

Tests showed that the muscle pain between Jackson's first finger and thumb came from a compressed nerve in the elbow. Jackson was eventually diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome.

The ulnar nerve extends from the neck to the hand and transmits nerve signals to half of the little finger and ring finger. It also helps control the movement and grip of the hand. The ulnar nerve passes through several obstructions in the arm, one of which is the cubital canal, the axis of tissue on the inside of the elbow. There, when it passes under a bone called the medial epicondyle, there is almost no cushion, and the nerve is easily compressed. This can cause pain in the elbow, numbness or tingling in the hands.

Unlike carpal tunnel syndrome, this condition is not common or recognized immediately.

O'Shaughnessy said: "People will feel tingling or loss of sensation in the hands, and difficulty in fine motor activities." "Depending on the severity and level of compression, we can start with physical therapy and splint the elbow at night.

If this doesn't work, or if the compression is more severe, surgery is the next step in decompressing the nerve.

O'Shaughnessy said that this situation will gradually get worse, and if the nerve is compressed for too long, it may cause permanent nerve damage.

It usually takes about a year for the nerves to fully recover after surgery, but O'Shaughnessy said that patients who adhere to physical therapy will see significant improvement after three or four months.

Fortunately, for Jackson, who ultimately underwent surgery on both hands, playing the piano was a perfect way of physiotherapy.

"Performing artists, especially musicians, have very unique needs for using their hands and arms," ​​O'Shaughnessy said. "As a surgeon, I like to work with them because they care about their body and art. I am honored to help them reach their full potential."

Jackson is getting stronger every day, which he and his students are grateful for.

"I am afraid that I may not be able to participate in the competition this semester, but I can make a difference and I am grateful for that," Jackson said. "No one can stop me now!"

The University of Kentucky has increasingly become the first choice for students, faculty and staff to pursue passion and career goals. In the past two years, Forbes has ranked the UK as one of the best employers for diversity, and INSIGHT into Diversity has ranked us as the diversity champion for four consecutive years. The UK ranks among the top 30 campuses in the United States for LGBTQ* inclusiveness and safety. The United Kingdom has been named the "Best University for Work" for three consecutive years, and the United Kingdom ranks among only 22 universities in the country in the Forbes "Best Employers in America" ​​list. We rank in the top 10% of public institutions for research spending — as a university focused on discoveries that change lives and communities, this is a tangible symbol of our breadth and depth. Our patients know and appreciate the fact that UK HealthCare has been rated as the top hospital in the state for five consecutive years. Honor and honor are great. But they are more important than what they represent: the idea of ​​creating a community of belonging and excellence is the way we fulfill our mission, not just to be the University of Kentucky, but also the University of Kentucky.