Janice Schindler enjoyed an active lifestyle and a career as a mental health counselor – until back pain that began in 2013 changed everything.
At first, it was a discomfort she tried to manage, but over time, it affected every aspect of her daily life. Simple plans, like traveling out of town or navigating an airport, became major obstacles.
“My plans revolved around how far I could travel in the car or how far I could go through the airport,” said Janice. “And I always had to get a wheelchair due to how much my back hurt.”
A Lifelong Challenge
Janice was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease due to scoliosis, which not only limited her ability to perform everyday activities but also led to a noticeable curvature in her spine. Her pain eventually became so debilitating that it often kept her confined to bed. “There were many days, more often than not, that I was in bed all day long,” said Janice. “So, it really had an impact on my day-to-day living, and I was constantly thinking about it.”
After a previous surgery failed to resolve her back pain, she was referred to orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. M. Craig McMains at OrthoIndy. That referral turned out to be a defining moment in Janice’s journey.
“Sadly, due to all my pain, I had to retire early as a mental health counselor because I was missing so much work,” said Janice. “Before I met Dr. McMains, I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
Finding Hope with OrthoIndy
From their very first meeting, Janice was struck by Dr. McMains’ thoughtful and attentive approach to her care. He provided a detailed explanation of her condition and discussed her treatment options.
Eventually, Janice opted to begin with physical therapy and targeted exercises, giving conservative treatment a chance to work. Only after those options were exhausted did Dr. McMains recommend moving forward with surgery.
Due to the complexity of Janice’s spine condition, a minimally invasive approach wasn’t an option. Dr. McMains, however, is highly trained in advanced spinal surgery, including an extensive deformity experience from his fellowship at Stanford University. This allowed him to carefully navigate the challenging procedure.
When the surgery was complete, Janice knew her life had been forever changed.
“My pain was gone,” said Janice. “I felt like a new person afterward!”
Living a New Life, without Back Pain
Today, Janice is once again living her life to the fullest, no longer held back by the constant pain that once limited her daily activities. She’s returned to volunteering at her church, something that brings her deep joy and purpose, and she’s able to handle household chores with a level of ease she hadn’t experienced in years. Simple tasks like cooking, cleaning and running errands no longer feel overwhelming, and she’s grateful to move through her days with comfort, confidence and renewed energy.
“It has been remarkable in terms of what I can do now,” said Janice. “When you say, ‘stand up straight,’ everybody’s like, ‘Well, so what?’ But if you can’t do it, and then you can, it’s something to celebrate and something to be very thankful for. And I certainly am!”
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Learn more about how OrthoIndy can help you get back to what you love doing most here.
