For nearly 25 years, OrthoIndy spine patient Christa Moncrief has worked as a police officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. She’s built her life around serving others, staying active and pursuing her lifelong love of horseback riding.
When sudden, severe back pain made it nearly impossible to walk, Christa knew something was seriously wrong and that waiting for answers wasn’t an option.
A Quick Diagnosis for Spine Pain
Through ProTeam Tactical, Christa was referred to OrthoIndy and scheduled an appointment with physiatrist Dr. Ryan Dill. At the appointment, Christa had an MRI and was diagnosed with a herniated disc in her back.
But just a few days after her appointment, her pain significantly worsened. “I couldn’t even walk the pain was so bad,” said Christa. Dr. Dill immediately responded by ordering another scan. These scans showed her disc had recently ruptured and that spinal fluid was now pooling around her spinal nerves, causing debilitating pain.
Recognizing how urgent the situation had become, Dr. Dill promptly referred her to OrthoIndy spine surgeon Dr. M. Craig McMains. Dr. McMains made Christa’s case a priority and was able to get her into surgery within a week.
“That alone made such a difference,” said Christa. “A lot of places make you wait weeks or even months in pain for surgery. Not at OrthoIndy.”
Christa’s goals were clear from the beginning: get back to work and get back to horseback riding. As a lifelong equestrian and dedicated officer, she wasn’t willing to let pain steal the things that mattered most.
At 56 years old, she also knew she didn’t want to enter this next chapter of life in chronic discomfort. She was ready to take action, and OrthoIndy made that possible.
Ruptured Herniated Disc Repaired
Christa underwent an endoscopic spinal procedure with Dr. McMains, and it was a success. The entire surgery was completed through a single, pencil-width incision. She experienced immediate relief from the chronic pain she had been living with, and by the next day, the only pain medication she needed was Tylenol.
With the region’s most advanced spine program and exclusive access to endoscopic spine surgery, the spine team at OrthoIndy helped ensure Christa’s procedure was efficient and well-coordinated.
After surgery, Christa began physical therapy through ProTeam Tactical – her recovery was nothing short of remarkable. She committed to three sessions a week for six weeks, working steadily toward recovery. The teamwork between OrthoIndy and ProTeam Tactical stood out to her throughout the process.
“This was such a great process,” said Christa. “And I owe that to OrthoIndy, Dr. Dill and Dr. McMains for their level of patient-centered care and the ease of communication they provide. I’m also grateful for OrthoIndy’s leadership for building and maintaining such a strong relationship with ProTeam Tactical.”
Back To Pain Free Living
Today, Christa describes the difference in how she feels as “night and day.” She is already seeing major improvements and is preparing for a few more follow-up appointments with Dr. McMains.
Christa emphasized how much it meant to feel like a priority during one of the most difficult experiences of her life. “I know I am very appreciative,” she said. “And I was feeling far less anxious about my pain, given the ease of my experience in this process.”
For patients facing spine injuries or sudden, severe pain, Christa’s story is a powerful reminder that fast, expert care can make all the difference. And for her, that difference came from the team at OrthoIndy.
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Get back to what you enjoy most with help from OrthoIndy, learn more at orthoindy.com.
