Nearly a decade ago, Janet began experiencing spinal issues, initially mistaking the symptoms for a shoulder problem as they impacted her tennis game. With guidance from her daughter, she sought help from a pain management specialist. Steroid injections provided relief for several years, but her condition worsened two years ago.
Janet, an accomplished pianist since age five, faced new challenges as numbness, tingling, and weakness in her arm and hand jeopardized her lifelong passion for music. A musician from a family of talented performers, Janet cherished playing the piano—particularly for high school musicals.
Recognizing the severity of her symptoms, she was referred to Dr. Hoeprich at Kettering Health. An MRI revealed a collapsed spinal column pressing on a nerve, requiring urgent surgery. Dr. Hoeprich performed a complex procedure involving disc removal, spinal reshaping, and the placement of an artificial disc.
The results were transformative. Janet experienced immediate pain relief and made a remarkable recovery. Within weeks, she was walking long distances, even covering 12 miles while attending the 2022 US Open in Boston. More importantly, the surgery restored full functionality to her hands and arms, enabling her to return to playing piano and tennis, much to the relief of her husband, a retired dentist.
Janet expressed gratitude to Dr. Hoeprich and the Kettering Health team, praising their exceptional care, advanced facilities, and compassionate staff. Notably, she required no pain medication after the surgery. Thanks to their expertise, Janet reclaimed an active, fulfilling life, including her cherished ability to bring music into the world.