My Comeback Story: Lisa D.

In early summer 2025, after years of steroid injections and an unsuccessful knee scope, I was referred to Dr. Waddell to discuss knee replacement. I was very nervous about a “no going back” surgery, but after meeting him, (side note: when he walked into the exam room, he held out his hand and said "hello friend", I said "are we friends?" and he said "Yes, and will be for a long time, until I retire." I love a good bedside manner. After that initial consult, I knew he was the right person for the job—and I was right. Because I was leaving in August for a six-week hiking trip, we scheduled surgery for October. With one more steroid shot and daily meloxicam, I headed to Colorado. 

After returning home and about a week before surgery, doubt crept in. Even though I could no longer run or jump, quick turns or any rotation of my knee nearly took me down, stairs were very difficult, and knee pain woke me nightly, I let others’ horror stories make me question my decision. I called Dr. Waddell’s office, and he returned my call right away. He patiently addressed every concern and told me not to proceed if I had reservations—that we could postpone as long as I wanted. He encouraged me to sleep on it and call back with questions. I didn’t need to; our conversation removed my fears. 

Before surgery, I attended a knee replacement class and was given lots of instructions that provided more helpful information than I could have imagined. The surgery went beautifully. I was up walking that afternoon, and started physical therapy the next day after coming home (one night in the hospital). PT at Carrell Clinic was a perfect fit for me. My therapist pushed me, I worked hard, and I completed therapy in about nine weeks. 

Five months after surgery, I hiked my first five-mile trek in the Great Smoky Mountains—pain-free. My knee still gets a little stiff after sitting, but the pain is gone. I’m back to full exercise: HIIT workouts, jumping, weightlifting, biking, squats—you name it. In April, six months post-op, I did exactly what I had told Dr. Waddell I wanted to be ready for. I traveled to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, and hiked in the Dolomite Mountains, even snowshoeing up to over 7,000 feet in elevation with my husband, daughter, and her fiancé—the photo I shared. A dream come true, made possible by my knee replacement and a surgeon who truly changed my life. 

Thank you, Dr. Waddell, he's the best!