Back in the Great Outdoors: Sandra Cunningham
For Sandra, being outdoors and enjoying the beauty of nature are fundamentals to a joyful life. She enjoys nothing more than walking the woods and taking in the sights and smells of her property in Spencer, IN. But in more recent years, a gradual and nagging hip pain forced her to give up doing what she loved the most. It wasn’t until Sandra found Dr. Lackey that she felt hopeful about regaining that active lifestyle. In May 2023, Sandra had an anterior hip replacement with Dr. Lackey, and she has been telling everyone she knows about it since!
Losing her Active Lifestyle
Sandra’s journey began with the gradual onset of pain in her right hip. What started as a minor discomfort in 2017 quickly escalated into constant, unbearable pain that made daily life feel impossible.
“I’m not sure what started the injury, just getting older maybe? Maybe that time I fell off a boat onto a dock? Or that time I missed a rung on a ladder and went crashing down? Or the times I’d gotten bucked off a horse? What I do remember is the PAIN!” she recalled.
The pain started out small and unpredictable, but over time, Sandra was in constant pain and her quality of life diminished. She began using a cane to get around, she gave up driving her beloved Jeep, and she had to start saying no to any activity that involved walking or standing for more than 15 minutes.
“At night the pain would keep me awake and had moved down to my knee as well! I was only in my 60’s and felt like I was 93!” she said. “I was sitting in my rocking chair on the porch watching life pass me by.”
Seeking Help
Sandra sought treatment from various healthcare providers but found little relief. She tried visiting a chiropractor, followed by multiple consultations with orthopedic specialists. But none of them provided a lasting solution or made her feel comfortable to move forward with surgery.
It wasn’t until she ran into a friend in 2023 that things took a turn for the better. This friend shared her positive experience of a knee replacement at Midwest Center for Joint Replacement.
“When I got home that day, I immediately looked up MCJR and read every webpage. A sigh of relief came over me!” she remembers.
Sandra was drawn to the Anterior Hip Replacement method, which doesn’t involve cutting through muscle, and soon found Dr. Lackey, whose profile reassured her further. So she called and scheduled an appointment.
Sandra’s experience at MCJR was a game-changer. From the moment she walked into the office, she was struck by the positivity and warmth of the staff.
“EVERYONE was so positive, friendly, and welcoming,” she recalls. “Dr. Lackey was very friendly, upbeat, and not in a hurry… For the first time, I felt confident and safe in having the hip replacement done!”
Relief after Surgery
With a treatment plan in place, Sandra underwent hip replacement surgery on May 10, 2023, and the results were nothing short of remarkable. A diligent rule-follower, Sandra followed the guidelines to achieve the best possible outcome. She was astounded by the immediate pain relief and was able to walk around with a walker within hours of surgery.
“MCJR’s motto of ‘taking the pain out of joint replacement’ was definitely what I experienced,” she said. “It was hard for me to believe that I just went through this major surgery, and I don’t have pain!”
Now that she is almost two years out, Sandra has full range-of-motion of her hip and is back to enjoying the activities that once brought her joy.
“I’m back outside walking in the woods, tending to my property, making new plans, and just engaged in life again!” she shared. “I can bend over and lace up my hiking boots, rake leaves, plant flowers, and go shopping—all without pain!”
She credits Dr. Lackey and the team at MCJR for giving her a second chance at life. She now carries Dr. Lackey’s business cards with her, handing them out to anyone living in pain.
“I believe in spreading good news so that others can reap the same benefits that I have experienced with Dr. Lackey!”
For anyone hesitating to seek treatment, Sandra’s message is clear: “Call MCJR today. They can change your life for the better! Don’t put it off! Don’t hesitate!”
If you, too, are struggling with joint pain, Sandra’s story is proof that relief and a full recovery are possible with the right care and treatment. Call our office today to schedule a consultation: 317-455-1064.