After living with constant pain in her right knee for over a decade, OrthoIndy knee patient Lisa Bartlett had almost given up hope of finding relief. In 2013, she underwent a knee replacement at another hospital to treat her arthritic knee. But instead of relieving her pain, discomfort lingered for years with no clear explanation.
As someone who works in healthcare, Lisa knew something wasn’t right.
“I had been dealing with this for so long,” said Lisa. “It was frustrating. I just wanted someone to truly listen to me and take my concerns seriously.” That’s when she turned to OrthoIndy.
As a nurse who has collaborated with OrthoIndy throughout her career, Lisa was already familiar with the exceptional level of care OrthoIndy consistently delivered. Confident in their expertise, she made an appointment with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Patrick Millikan.
From the moment she walked through the doors, she felt she was in the right place.
An Efficient Diagnosis and Treatment
Dr. Millikan conducted a series of diagnostic injections using lidocaine to help pinpoint the source of her pain, and the results were immediate. The discomfort Lisa had lived with for years disappeared temporarily after the injections, which led Dr. Millikan to suspect a nerve issue rather than a structural one.
He then referred her to physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) specialist Dr. Mark Osborne for further evaluation. An MRI confirmed what no one had diagnosed in 12 years: Lisa had been living with a pinched nerve in her knee replacement. The nerve had grown around the implant, causing intense, ongoing pain that was often misunderstood or overlooked.
“When I got the diagnosis, I felt such a sense of relief,” said Lisa. “I finally had an answer! And more importantly, someone was taking me seriously and doing something about my chronic pain.”
Her treatment was both precise and effective. After confirming the diagnosis, Dr. Osborne performed a procedure to burn the nerves around her knee implant using radiofrequency ablation (RFA). It was a targeted approach designed to eliminate the source of the pain without needing to replace the joint again.
A Life Changed Thanks to a Minor Procedure
The outcome of the procedure was life-changing for Lisa.
“Today, I feel wonderful,” said Lisa. “I wish I had found someone who would have listened to me years ago, but I’m so grateful I finally did.”
Now pain-free, Lisa is back to doing the things she loves most. She can fully engage in her healthcare career without physical limitations. She’s also playing cornhole, bowling with friends and even dancing again.
She’s also deeply grateful to Dr. Millikan and Dr. Osborne.
“I can’t thank both doctors enough for their care, their attention to detail and their compassion,” she said. “They were absolutely right about the diagnosis, and the entire experience at OrthoIndy was excellent from start to finish. I’m as happy as can be.”
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Are you experiencing chronic pain? Our orthopedic specialists at OrthoIndy can help. Call us to learn more at 317.802.2000.
