For Patty Willey, life had slowly become defined by pain. As a special education paraprofessional at an elementary school, Patty spends her days caring for and supporting others. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and reading. But for more than 20 years, chronic pain made those everyday joys harder to fully enjoy.
“I’ve been dealing with pain throughout my body for over 20 years,” Patty shared. Along with psoriatic arthritis that went untreated for years, she faced ongoing issues with her feet, back and knees. Over time, the discomfort became something she simply learned to live with, even as it affected her ability to move through daily life.
“Having psoriatic arthritis and the pain that comes with it kept me from enjoying life, both at work and at home,” she said.
Patty’s connection with Central Indiana Orthopedics began decades ago. “I think I started with Dr. Jared Jones more than 20 years ago,” she said. But her journey with CIO truly evolved in recent years as her pain worsened and required more specialized care.
It started with persistent foot pain and plantar fasciitis that wouldn’t resolve with conservative treatments. “I went through physical therapy and injections that didn’t really last,” she said. “It just kept coming back.”
In 2021, her rheumatologist referred her to foot and ankle specialist Dr. Adam Lyon. After imaging revealed significant damage, they made a plan. “He explained everything to me and gave me my options,” Patty said. “Surgery seemed like the best choice.”
Dr. Lyon performed reconstructive surgery on both of Patty’s feet between 2021 and 2022. While recovery wasn’t easy, Patty felt supported every step of the way. “Recovery was rough,” she admitted. “But he and his staff answered any questions I had the entire time.”
At the same time, Patty had been dealing with long-standing back pain. She began seeing Dr. William Hall for spinal injections. “In my eyes, he’s the best interventional pain management doctor around,” she said. “He and his staff really listen.”
After trying injections and physical therapy, Patty reached a point where those treatments were no longer enough. That’s when she was referred to spine surgeon Dr. Francesca Tekula. “She is an absolute angel,” Patty said. “Her personality is just awesome. She made something as scary as spine surgery feel manageable.”
In May 2025, Dr. Tekula performed a microdiscectomy and laminectomy at L5-S1. For Patty, the results were life changing. “She explained everything in detail, and after surgery and recovery, she gave me my life back,” she said. “I’ve been back pain-free since.”
By early 2026, Patty noticed a new challenge – significant knee pain, especially when using stairs. “Walking up and down stairs made everything worse – my feet, my back and my knee,” she said.
Once again, her rheumatologist referred her to CIO, this time to joint replacement surgeon Dr. Jamie Kay. “He explained exactly how a knee replacement works and what to expect,” she said. “I felt really confident going into it.”
Patty underwent a total right knee replacement on March 31, 2026, and surprised even herself with her recovery. “I planned on going back to work after four weeks,” she said. “But I ended up going back after just two.”
At her two-week follow-up, she remembers walking in without any assistive device. “They were all so excited,” she said. “Moments like that really meant a lot.”
Throughout her journey, one thing stood out to Patty: the level of care and collaboration across providers.
“I couldn’t have chosen a better place,” she said. “Every doctor I’ve seen at CIO has built such a strong relationship with me.”
She especially appreciated feeling involved in every decision. “None of my doctors ever just told me what to do,” she said. “They explained everything and worked with me to create a plan. I always felt like I had a say.”
That trust made all the difference, especially during the most challenging moments in her recovery journey.
“After some of the surgeries, I had days where I felt sorry for myself,” she admitted. “I wondered if I’d ever get back to enjoying life. But once I made it through the hardest parts, everything changed.”
Today, Patty is in a place she hadn’t experienced in years. “I have a lot less pain now than when I started,” she said. “I’m finally able to live life again without pain.”
The difference shows up in the small things – moving more easily, going up and down stairs and feeling like herself again. When asked what she would tell someone feeling hesitant about seeking care, Patty doesn’t hesitate. “Do it,” she said. “Don’t live in pain like I did for so many years.”
She also encourages others who may need to see multiple specialists not to be discouraged. “Any provider you see at CIO is amazing,” she said. “They’re all so professional and excellent at what they do.”
For Patty, her journey wasn’t defined by just one procedure or one doctor – it was the result of a team working together to help her reclaim her quality of life.
“I 100% recommend Central Indiana Orthopedics,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”
From foot and ankle reconstruction to spine surgery and joint replacement, Patty’s care spanned multiple specialties at Central Indiana Orthopedics – all within one connected team. If you’re experiencing ongoing pain or need care across different areas, visit ciocenter.com/services/ to explore our services and find the right path forward.
Patty’s CIO Care Team
Francesca Tekula (retired June 2026)