Jann's Story
Jann Hoff is one of those lucky people who was able to make his passion – music – his career. Working as both a sound engineer and tour manager for “Jersey Boys” and “Les Misérables,” Jann, 61, also plays trumpet and bass guitar. When not on the road, the husband and father also loves making “concoctions” in the kitchen, trying new foods and watching movies.
It was late summer when Jann began experiencing back pain and reduced strength in his legs. He went to a chiropractor, who ordered an MRI to determine if Jann had more significant issues in his back. The MRI showed compression fractures in his seventh thoracic vertebrae, or halfway down the back. A compression fracture occurs when a vertebra in the spine collapses or breaks, often due to injury or weakened bones. As a result of the compression fracture, Jann was experiencing spinal nerve impingement, also known as a pinched nerve, which occurs when bone, cartilage or muscles put pressure on a nerve root exiting the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness or weakness.
By the time Jann was able to see an orthopedic spine specialist, he was using a wheelchair due to the weakness in his legs and concerns about balance. Then, one day, Jann accidentally slid off a chair and onto the floor causing a sharp pain in his back. Unable to get up, he called for his wife Tracey, who also could not get him upright. Tracey called 911 and Jann was taken via ambulance to Banner Gateway Medical Center.
There, Jann underwent testing, including another MRI, CT scan and blood work. When scans showed inflammation in his lymph nodes, Jann’s doctors ordered more tests. Unfortunately, those tests showed that Jann had prostate cancer that had spread to his spine. Jann was transferred to Banner Desert Medical Center and underwent surgery to enlarge the spinal canal by removing or reshaping parts of the spinal bones and ligaments in order to reduce pressure on the spinal nerves.
Jann hoped the surgery would fix the problem immediately. His surgeons, however, were not encouraged by Jann’s continued lack of movement in his legs. “My focus became surgery recovery,” Jann said. “I was optimistic and took it day by day.”
As it turns out, Jann and Tracey live just across the street from Banner Rehabilitation Hospital East. “I always knew I would go there,” Jann said. Several days after his surgery, Jann was transferred to rehab. “Instantly I knew this was where I needed to be,” he recalls. “I just had no idea how good the experience was going to be.”
With a goal of being able to return home and regain his independence as to not be a burden to Tracey, Jann was ready to work from the day he arrived. His physician-led team of nurses and physical and occupational therapists immediately completed assessments to ensure they understood Jann’s challenges and goals. “The care and concern were immediate,” Jann stated. “Everyone said, ‘We’ll work it out together. Don’t stress or overthink.’”
Upon arrival, Jann was struggling with paralysis in his legs as well as poor core control and stability, barely able to sit at the edge of the bed without support. “When I came in, I could barely move a toe. I couldn’t engage my core, quads or bend my knee,” he recalls. Because of this, Jann required the assistance of two people to get into his wheelchair and back into bed.
Jann’s physical and occupational therapists worked together closely to address his deficits, initially focusing efforts on improving core strength so he’d be stronger in order to stand and eventually walk. To do this, Jann and his therapist did exercises on a mat, including leaning on and off a wedge pillow, used resistance bands and practiced sitting on the edge of the bed for increasing periods of time. Therapists also had Jann use ankle weights and participate in group strength training sessions. Additionally, he benefitted from the use of a functional electrical stimulation device that provides low-level electrical currents to muscles in order to help improve mobility.
Once Jann was feeling stronger, his physical therapists introduced a standing frame, which works by providing a stable and secure structure that supports the patient’s body so they can maintain an upright position without the risk of falling. Jann progressed to standing within the parallel bars, eventually moving on to using a body weight-supported harness to help him take his first steps. Next, he used a wearable robotic device called an exoskeleton to help him stand and move his legs in order to re-learn normal walking patterns.
Meanwhile, occupational therapists focused on helping Jann become as independent as possible. Initially, they helped him learn to transfer from bed to his wheelchair using a board to help make him slide easily. Once strength in his legs improved, Jann learned how to stand and pivot while using a walker. His therapists worked to help him learn new ways to complete his activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing and getting in and out of a car.
During his 32 days at Banner Rehabilitation Hospital East, Jann was, according to his therapists “a very hard and efficient worker, always asking questions to further his understanding of recovery and setting weekly goals to gain his independence back.” His hard work paid off – by discharge, Jann was able to walk 130 feet using a walker with minimal assistance and was completing transfers, all dressing tasks and self-care tasks independently.
Jann credits the support of Tracey and their son in helping him remain positive and motivated during the month in inpatient rehabilitation. He plans to continue his recovery with outpatient therapy to keep building on the gains made in rehab.
“Just because your life is changing doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing,” Jann said as he looked back on his experience. “Don’t be afraid to let people in and help. Learn from them and let them learn from you. Everyone has worked hard to get their level of knowledge, so take advantage of other people’s expertise.”