Micah Lester’s world revolves around family, care and community. As a former Registered Nurse in Mother-Baby care for over a decade, she’s no stranger to helping others. Now a full-time mom to six children, including two-year-old triplets, Micah spends her days balancing the rhythms of rural farm life with a nonstop calendar of sports games and family time. But in July of last year, all of that came to a halt.
While loading cattle with her husband on their farm, Micah re-tore her ACL – a devastating injury that immediately left her unable to bear weight on her leg. The tear caused her knee to lock, and she quickly became reliant on crutches to get around. For Micah, whose daily routine centered around caring for young children, managing a busy household and keeping up with an active family, the sudden loss of mobility was more than physical – it was deeply emotional.
“I’m a very independent person, and it was one of the most frustrating things I’ve experienced,” she shared. “I couldn’t hold or bathe my babies. I couldn’t drive my older kids to practice or even get groceries. I felt like I wasn’t able to be the mom or the partner I wanted to be, and that broke my heart.”
Already familiar with knee injuries from a previous ACL tear, Micah knew she needed help fast. She turned to the Central Indiana Orthopedics Walk-In Clinic, where she was seen promptly. “The Walk-In Clinic was a wonderful resource for me because I knew I needed to be seen immediately. I don’t feel like the timeline would have been the same if I had gone to a different facility,” Micah said.
After an MRI confirmed Micah had torn her ACL, she was scheduled with a board-certified and fellowship-trained Central Indiana Orthopedics surgeon, Dr. Ryan Jaggers, to continue her care. “From the very beginning, Dr. Jaggers was so personable with both me and my husband,” Micah said. “He didn’t just see me as a patient – he understood me as a parent. He listened closely and was always honest, even when the news wasn’t easy to hear.”
Micah’s injury was more complex than initially expected. Along with the ACL tear, she had a large bucket handle tear in her meniscus, which further compounded her limited mobility. There was also uncertainty around whether her previous ACL repair would hold up or if it would require a more involved bone graft surgery. Her surgical plan was developed based on multiple possibilities and the need for flexibility in mind. Thanks to Dr. Jaggers’ experience and careful preparation, he was able to adjust during surgery and provide the best possible outcome in a single operation.
Now, almost one-year post-op, Micah is back to being fully functional in her everyday life: caring for her children, managing her home and returning to the role that means the most to her – being a mom.
“Recovery felt like an eternity,” she said, “but I finally feel like myself again. The first time I was able to get my babies up in the morning and put them to bed at night – those are moments I’ll never forget. I missed those sweet little smiles when they first wake up.”
Micah’s experience with CIO not only met her expectations – it exceeded them. She appreciated the detailed conversations leading up to surgery, the care and kindness of every staff member she encountered and the ability of her doctor to think critically and stay prepared to adapt when the situation called for it.
“I’m so grateful for a physician who could prepare for more than one scenario and make the best call during surgery,” Micah said. “Dr. Jaggers didn’t perform my initial repair, and I know it’s not easy going in after someone else’s work. But he made me feel like I was in the best hands possible.”
To anyone hesitant about seeking treatment, Micah has one piece of advice: don’t try to push through the pain alone.
“This experience changed my life. If I had tried to tough it out, I would’ve missed out on so many precious moments with my kids. Getting treatment gave me my life back.”
We’re honored to have been part of Micah’s journey, and we’re proud to help her return to the life she loves most. If you’re facing an injury that’s limiting your ability to care for your family or enjoy the things you love, we’re here for you. For fast, expert care, visit a Central Indiana Orthopedics Walk-In Clinic, or call 800-622-6575 to schedule an appointment. Learn more at ciocenter.com.