For OrthoIndy spine patient Eddie Stambaugh, living with back pain wasn’t just uncomfortable, it was debilitating. The discomfort grew so severe that everyday tasks became nearly impossible, leaving him feeling trapped in his own body.
At 63 years old, Eddie still had plenty of work and life to enjoy. As the owner of several plumbing stores and rental properties in Frankfort, Indiana, he was used to staying active and hands-on, but his back pain had other plans. Even the simplest movements like bending, lifting and sitting became exhausting, and sleeping meant settling into a recliner at night for six long months just to find some relief from pain.
“The back pain was so bad, I had to have my customers lift things for me,” said Eddie. “I just wasn’t really able to do anything myself.”
Eddie knew he couldn’t go on living that way. That’s why when it came time to seek help, the choice was clear for him. Having trusted OrthoIndy’s orthopedic experts in the past through multiple surgeries, including a knee replacement with Dr. Kevin Schied (retired) and a shoulder replacement with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Troy Roberson, Eddie knew exactly where to turn when it came to his health and well-being.
Treatment with OrthoIndy
What always stood out to Eddie about OrthoIndy was their specialized expertise, straightforward honesty, and the genuine time they invested in his care. He never felt like just another patient – he appreciated how the team treated him like a person, not a number.
After contacting OrthoIndy for his back pain, he scheduled an appointment with orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. John Dietz.
From the moment he connected with Dr. Dietz, he felt he was in good hands. After reviewing scans and going over Eddie’s background, Dr. Dietz determined Eddie had narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) and surgery was discussed to remove the bone spurs pinching the nerves and fuse the unstable discs.
“The conversations were never sugar-coated. Just straightforward answers from an orthopedic surgeon and his physician assistant who genuinely cared about my well-being,” said Eddie.
With a clear diagnosis and treatment plan in place, Eddie moved forward with surgery in October 2023. The procedure went well and, although his recovery didn’t follow a traditional rehab path, Dr. Dietz’s guidance and at-home exercises helped Eddie steadily regain strength while staying active at work.
Whenever questions came up, whether big or small, Eddie always knew he could reach out to Dr. Dietz, and he would be there with a prompt and helpful response.
Lasting results
Now, just a few months removed from surgery, Eddie says he feels like he has his life back.
“I got my life back, thanks to Dr. Dietz and the team at OrthoIndy,” said Eddie. “Since the surgery, I even had the opportunity to travel with my wife down to Alabama. And the feeling I have in my back is night and day compared to before.”
He’s back to doing the things he loves – working, traveling and even getting behind the wheel of his Corvette on the open road.
Looking back, Eddie credits OrthoIndy not only for their outstanding orthopedic expertise but also for the way they treat their patients like family. The personal attention, honesty, and deep experience of Dr. Dietz and his team left a lasting impression. For Eddie, there’s no question where he’ll turn if he ever needs orthopedic care again – because when it comes to his health, he trusts the team that helped him get his life back.
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Learn how OrthoIndy can help get you back to what you love doing most at orthoindy.com. Schedule an appointment with our team by calling 317.802.2000.
