For Lori Whistler, running has been a constant throughout much of her life. She discovered her love for the sport in sixth grade after joining her middle school track team, and what started as a new activity quickly became a lifelong passion. Over the years, running became far more than a form of exercise. It became her outlet for stress, a way to recharge in nature and a shared passion she enjoys with her husband. Whether training for an ultramarathon or spending hours on the trails together, running has long been an important part of who Lori is.
Today, Lori balances a career in cybersecurity with a busy family life alongside her husband and their three children. Between school activities, sporting events and work responsibilities, life is rarely slow. Running helps provide balance, giving Lori an outlet to recharge and spend quality time with her husband.
“Running just makes me happy,” Lori said. “It helps me work through the day, clear my thoughts and get out into nature. It’s always been a huge part of my life.”
That lifelong passion was suddenly put on hold after a serious car accident left Lori with multiple injuries, including a devastating ankle injury. While her son walked away unharmed, Lori faced a much different outcome.
“The brake pedal actually shattered my ankle,” she said.
After spending several days in the hospital, Lori underwent surgery with an orthopedic surgeon outside of Central Indiana Orthopedics. But even as the months passed, something didn’t feel right. Pain continued to limit her activity, and she knew she wasn’t progressing the way she should.
“I could only run for about 15 or 20 seconds before the pain became too much,” Lori said. “I knew something was wrong.”
Further evaluation revealed a missed fracture. Lori would need another surgery, and that’s when she was referred to Central Indiana Orthopedics and foot and ankle specialist Dr. Adam Lyon.
From their very first meeting, Lori felt a sense of reassurance. “The first thing he said was, ‘We’re going to fix this,'” she recalled. As a fellow runner, Dr. Lyon immediately understood what was at stake. Lori appreciated that he took the time to learn about her lifestyle, her goals and what getting back on the trails meant to her.
“He wanted to know who I was and what was important to me,” she said. “He understood how much running meant to me, but he was also honest. His first goal was making sure my ankle healed correctly.”
Because of complications from the previous surgery, Dr. Lyon needed to remove the original hardware and essentially start over. Throughout the process, he carefully explained every step, answered questions and helped Lori understand exactly what to expect.
“He was incredibly thorough,” she said. “Every appointment, he took the time to explain things and walk through my X-rays with me. I always knew what was happening.”
Recovery required patience. Lori spent weeks non-weight-bearing and attended regular follow-up appointments before eventually beginning physical therapy. While healing physically was challenging, adjusting to life away from running was just as difficult.
“The first question I asked before surgery was, ‘When can I run again?'” Lori said.
For months, the answer wasn’t simple. Running had always been part of how Lori managed stress, stayed active and spent time with her husband. Losing that outlet after the accident was a difficult adjustment, and she was eager for the day she could return to the activity she loved.
When Dr. Lyon finally cleared her to return to running, she immediately signed up for a race – Forget the PR, a 25K trail race in Ohio – where she’d be surrounded by supportive friends and family members who had encouraged her throughout her recovery journey.
When race day arrived, every mile carried extra meaning. “It felt like I got my life back,” she said. There were tears along the course as Lori reflected on everything it had taken to reach that moment. Friends cheered her on from aid stations, and when she crossed the finish line, she was overwhelmed with gratitude.
Knowing how hard she had worked to get there, Lori wanted to thank the person who helped make it possible. After the race, she went to the race director and asked for an extra finisher medal so she could gift it to Dr. Lyon the following week.
“As runners, we work hard for those medals,” she said. “Giving one away is a really special thing.”
The following Monday, Lori stopped by Central Indiana Orthopedics with a card, treats for the staff and the medal for Dr. Lyon. “He was a huge part of getting me back to that finish line,” she said.
The gesture reflected more than appreciation for a successful surgery – it symbolized the relationship built throughout her recovery and the trust that had been restored along the way.
One promise Lori made during the recovery process was that someday she and Dr. Lyon would run together. And at one of her final visits, they did exactly that.
“We ran down the hallway together,” Lori said with a smile. “And I ran pain-free.”
Today, Lori is training for future races, continues to share her love of running with her husband and friends and remains grateful for the care that helped her return to the sport she loves.
When asked what comes to mind when she thinks about Central Indiana Orthopedics, her answer comes quickly: “Family.”
For Lori, the experience wasn’t just about fixing a fractured ankle. It was about restoring confidence, rebuilding trust and helping her get back to a passion that has shaped her life for more than three decades.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, living with pain or looking for answers after a setback, our team is here to help. Learn more about our services and doctors at ciocenter.com