Melissa Hillers knew something was seriously wrong the moment she injured her knee.
“I couldn’t put any weight on it, and the pain in my leg was unbearable,” she said.
The day after her injury, Melissa went to OrthoIndy Westfield Urgent Care, conveniently located near her workplace. She was able to get an X-ray right away, and the urgent care team referred her to total joint replacement surgeon Dr. Abhi Seetharam for further evaluation.
Finding the source of the problem
Dr. Seetharam reviewed her imaging and quickly recognized the severity of the situation. He personally called Melissa to explain that she would need a knee revision replacement as soon as possible.
“They got everything moving so quickly,” Melissa said.
As the OrthoIndy team investigated further, Melissa learned that the knee replacement she had received ten years earlier had been recalled. Over time, the failed implant had caused significant bone loss, making the revision surgery much more complex than a standard knee replacement.
“I was surprised the bone loss was that extensive,” Melissa said. “But I knew how bad the pain had become, and I knew it needed to be fixed.”
Surgery and recovery with OrthoIndy
Knowing she was in the hands of an experienced surgical team gave Melissa confidence heading into her procedure. In May 2026, Dr. Seetharam performed her revision knee replacement along with the corrective surgery needed to address the bone loss caused by her failed implant.
After surgery, Melissa focused on recovery and rehabilitation exercises to rebuild her strength. She progressed quickly and soon returned to the activities she enjoys.
Today, Melissa is pain-free and grateful for the care she received.
“I have no complaints about my experience,” she said. “I feel completely better, and I’m so glad I got the care I needed.”
Melissa says she appreciated how quickly the OrthoIndy team responded and how supported she felt throughout the process.
“Everyone at OrthoIndy Westfield was awesome, and they got me into surgery right away,” she said. “I’m very thankful for Dr. Seetharam.”
She also credits the hospital staff for making her recovery experience stand out.
“The nursing staff at OrthoIndy Northwest was phenomenal,” Melissa said. “They made this experience even better than my first knee replacement.”
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Joint pain treatment, including complex revision procedures, can help you get back to the activities you enjoy and maintain your quality of life. Learn how our team at OrthoIndy can help at 317.802.2000.
