Before hip pain took over her life, Larissa Morse loved staying active. She practiced yoga, walked regularly, traveled whenever she could and enjoyed cooking, attending concerts and exploring festivals.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, everything changed.
“Around January 2023, I started feeling pain in my right hip,” said Larissa. “It got to the point where I had to plan my life around my pain. Even standing or sitting for long periods became difficult.”
Larissa knew she needed to get checked out.
A life-changing referral
Larissa was already familiar with OrthoIndy after receiving excellent care there in the past, so when her symptoms continued to worsen and she was referred back, she felt confident she was in good hands.
She first met with sports medicine physician Dr. Troy Roberson, who evaluated her hip pain. As her condition became more complex, Dr. Roberson referred her to total joint replacement surgeon Dr. Patrick Millikan for specialized care.
Dr. Millikan ordered imaging, which quickly revealed the source of her pain: a torn labrum and arthritis in her right hip. Over time, the added strain on her left hip caused arthritis to develop there as well, eventually leading to the collapse of the ball-and-socket joint.
Larissa appreciated how efficiently the OrthoIndy team worked to find answers.
“There weren’t a lot of hoops to jump through or any complicated steps,” she said. “We were able to get imaging done almost immediately.”
A plan forward
Based on her diagnosis, Dr. Millikan recommended a right hip replacement and explained that her left hip would likely require replacement in the future as well.
The recommendation wasn’t easy to accept.
“I was only 55 years old, and it took me a while to wrap my mind around it,” said Larissa. “I kept wondering, ‘Am I too young for this?'”
One conversation with an OrthoIndy nurse practitioner helped her look at things differently.
“She told me, ‘You’ll never be as strong as you are today.’ That really stuck with me. It motivated me to get stronger and invest in my future,” she said.
After discussing every option with Dr. Millikan, Larissa felt confident moving forward. She underwent her right hip replacement in December 2024 and, after a successful recovery, returned for her left hip replacement in December 2025.
Recovery and a new beginning
From surgery through rehabilitation, Larissa says the experience exceeded her expectations. “The entire staff are experts at what they do,” she said. “They really have their system down. I never felt like there was a question I couldn’t ask.”
She also credits OrthoIndy’s physical therapy team with helping her regain strength after both procedures.
“The therapists were fantastic, and the nurses were phenomenal. Everyone made me feel supported every step of the way.”
Today, Larissa is back to the activities she once thought she might lose forever.
“I feel like a new person,” she said. “I’m thankful for my new life every single day. I have no pain, and I can get back to the activities I enjoy!”
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Experiencing chronic hip pain? Don’t wait to seek treatment – schedule an appointment with OrthoIndy at 317.802.2000.
