January 13, 2025

Stories That Move Us: Kimberly’s Journey of Perseverance to Knee Replacement

Kimberly Lyle-Ippolito, a retired biology professor from Anderson University, knows a thing or two about perseverance. For 24 years, she taught and mentored students, but even more impressive is her journey to regain her mobility and quality of life.

Kimberly’s knee problems were not the result of any specific injury but were instead a culmination of factors such as arthritis and being overweight. On top of that, dealing with fibromyalgia and an autoimmune disease left her with significant pain and discomfort. Her left knee caused her severe pain, and it became increasingly difficult to walk without significant discomfort. For over five years, Kimberly lived with this pain, but the turning point came when walking became so unbearable that even the short distance from her car to her office left her in need of ice for relief.

In 2020, Kimberly initially planned to have her knee replaced by another surgeon, based on her insurance at that time. However, life had other plans. Kimberly’s husband was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, and for the next two years, she devoted herself to his care, putting her own health and surgery plans on hold.

In 2021, after the passing of her husband, Kimberly felt it was time to focus on herself again. With Medicare now an option, she sought out Central Indiana Orthopedics, where she had previously seen success stories, including that of her late husband. He had received excellent care from Dr. Brian Camilleri, who performed a successful knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Kimberly was eager to receive treatment from him as well.

After meeting with Dr. Camilleri, Kimberly was advised that a knee replacement would be the best course of action for her, but with one important recommendation: she needed to lose weight in order to meet the required BMI for surgery. Dr. Camilleri gave her a goal of six months to lose the necessary amount, and Kimberly fully committed to the challenge. During this time, she not only worked on her physical health but also earned her yellow belt in TaeKwonDo, which she had always wanted to achieve.

By the time her surgery was scheduled in the spring of 2024, Kimberly had successfully lost the weight necessary for the procedure. Her motivation and hard work paid off, and she was ready for the knee replacement surgery that would change her life.

Recovery was a swift and positive experience for Kimberly. “I was told by other people that if you weren’t willing to do the exercises both pre- and post-surgery, then don’t bother having the surgery,” Kimberly shared. With this motivation in mind, Kimberly did everything Dr. Camilleri recommended before and after surgery, and it paid off. Within two weeks, she was walking without a cane, and soon after, she was back behind the wheel of her car. Just two and a half months after surgery, Kimberly returned to her TaeKwonDo practice and is now working on earning her green belt while continuing her journey toward better health. She also learned to swim the summer after her knee replacement—something she’d always wanted to accomplish.

But perhaps the most remarkable part of Kimberly’s recovery was her trip to Ireland. Just a few months after surgery, Kimberly traveled to Ireland for two weeks, where she hiked all over the country with no pain or issues. “If you had asked me five years ago, I would’ve felt that my traveling and exercising days were over. But now I feel like the world has opened back up again,” Kimberly said. “I can go places, I can do things, and I can depend on my body to help get me there.”

If you or someone you know is facing challenges similar to ones Kimberly overcame and wishes to regain their quality of life, our team of skilled surgeons at Central Indiana Orthopedics are dedicated to providing the best possible care and treatment options for hip and knee replacement. Learn more about our services and how we can support you in your journey to better health at ciocenter.com/mako.