Dr. Rodolfo Santamaria, originally from Costa Rica, now calls Fishers home. After spending much of his career in supply chain and operations, he retired but stayed busy by teaching and consulting. Throughout his life, Rodolfo has lived an active lifestyle, enjoying karate and tennis, swimming with Costa Rica’s Olympic team, playing bass guitar and traveling with his wife of 44 years. But over time, knee pain started to slow him down.
Years of playing sports contributed to advanced arthritis in his knees, causing severe pain. What once was a minor inconvenience became a big problem, affecting his ability to play with his grandsons or even go shopping with his wife. Despite trying different treatments, like chiropractic care and injections, the pain only got worse. Eventually, when it got to the point where he couldn’t walk more than 30 yards without discomfort, he knew he needed to find a solution.
That’s when Rodolfo discovered Central Indiana Orthopedics. “I was drawn to CIO because of their reputation for knee replacement surgery, their range of services and the positive feedback I’d heard from the community,” Rodolfo shared. He was impressed by the comprehensive care offered under one roof, including pre-op evaluations, surgery and post-op support. The use of the latest technology, like Mako robotic-assisted surgery, also caught his attention.
Rodolfo had explored other treatment options elsewhere, but one doctor had jumped straight to recommending surgery without fully considering all his choices. However, when he met Dr. John Martin at CIO, it was a different experience. Dr. Martin took the time to explain the entire process, from surgery to recovery, in detail. After discussing everything with his wife, Rodolfo felt confident in moving forward with the surgery.
Just five months after his knee replacement, Rodolfo was walking comfortably again — something he hadn’t been able to do for years. His recovery was faster than he expected. He started physical therapy just days after surgery, working hard to rebuild strength and flexibility. While there was some pain in the early stages, it was manageable, and Rodolfo stuck with it. By six weeks, he could walk for an hour without stopping. He was back to enjoying shopping trips with his wife and playing with his grandsons.
Rodolfo’s journey doesn’t end with his right knee. After undergoing surgery on his left knee at the end of November, he’s doing great and confident that the same successful outcome awaits him. Just two weeks post-surgery, he was already walking with a cane, and by the third week, he was able to walk short distances without it. He’s looking forward to a life without pain — whether it’s traveling, walking freely or spending more time with his family.
Rodolfo highly recommends Central Indiana Orthopedics to anyone dealing with knee pain. For him, it wasn’t just about the surgery — it was the combination of skilled doctors, advanced technology and caring staff that made all the difference. “Everyone at CIO provided so much support and encouragement throughout my recovery,” he said.
Rodolfo’s story is a reminder of how determination and the right care can lead to amazing results. If you’re ready to take the next step in finding relief from knee pain, call 800-622-6575 or visit ciocenter.com/mako to learn more.