Patient Experiences

"I have Rhuematoid arthritis and after so many years and the loss of cartilage, my knee was shot. I was in a bad car/train accident many years ago and injured my knee then. Over time it just got worse with the progression of my arthritis. I was really having a hard time walking, riding my bike and doing other daily activities. I was in a lot of pain where my knee hurt all the time. My right leg was bowed out, my posture was affected - I was a mess.

Upon first meeting Dr. Monesmith I felt I was in good hands. He listened when I described my quality of life and the pain I was enduring. He assured me he could help, which was very good to hear. While I was in the hospital I was impressed with his compassion and his bed side manner. In my book he is the best. There isn't much I can't do. I still have moments when I am walking or riding my bike or just daily activities and I can't believe I am in no pain. Dr. Monesmith told my husband I would be a new woman and I am happy to say that he was right.  I wish I had looked into knee replacement sooner than I did. When people comment on how well I am doing I always give Dr. Monesmith all the praise." 

- Lori G.


"Rheumatoid arthritis completely shut my life down to the point I couldn't sleep. It was extremely difficult to walk. I could barely work and my life was becoming very depressing. I didn't think that there was anything that could ever be done to get me back to the way I used to be.  

The overall experience I had with OrthoIndy was outstanding. I could not have felt more comfortable with OrthoIndy and Dr. Monesmith. As soon as I met Dr. Monesmith, I felt so assured in what he was going to do for me and my condition, that I couldn't have said yes to the operation fast enough. The facilities at OrthoIndy were amazing, my stay in the hospital was so relaxed and refreshing because everyone was so nice and it made me feel like I was the only one in the hospital.

My life has changed so much that I have been able to play golf and softball again, walk without pain again, sleep through the night without pain again, and get back to my normal life. I would not be where I am at today if it was not for Dr. Monesmith and everyone at OrthoIndy."

- Nick M.


"I was having trouble with my right knee - swelling and discomfort.  After X-rays, etc., Dr. Monesmith explained what was causing the problem - bone on bone and arthritis.  I was very impressed with Dr. Monesmith and was sure I would contact him again in the future if the problem became more severe.   

The pain and swelling in the right knee did become more severe, restricting some activities.  I was able to only go one step at a time either up or down stairs.  Other activities were more painful.  At age 73 I was not ready to sit back and let the rest of the world go by.  I love traveling and have 8 wonderful grandchildren that I really enjoy spending time with and going places with them.

I couldn't have been more satisfied!  Dr. Monesmith and his staff have been very friendly and helpful.  I felt if I had any questions at all they would/could answer them for me.  I was also impressed with IOH and staff who were also very kind and helpful.

I am able to go where I want to go and do what I want to do pain free.  Even cold weather has not bothered me.  Now I'm not always the last one going up and down stairs, etc.  I enjoy walking and my "new knee" will take me any where the rest of my body wants to go!  Now if someone asks if I want to go some where, my answer is "let's go."

I have and will continue to recommend Dr. Monesmith to any one who is having problems similar to those I had.  In my opinion - he's the best!"

- Cora W.


"I went to OrthoIndy to get a second opinion after my first "screw it back together" surgery did not heal properly. I had fallen on the ice and broke my left hip at age 58.  went from being able to help other people to someone helping me - it was not good. I was advised by another doctor to just screw the bone back together.  Unfortunately, I listened to him and 7 months later Dr. Monesmith replaced the hip. I chose Dr. Monesmith because he had put my mom back together after a broken hip about 2 years earlier and she recovered well.

My experience with Dr. Monesmith and OrthoIndy was beyond excellent!  Everything from the first office visit to the post surgery office visits went so smooth.  I am not looking forward to another surgery or hospital stay, but if I have an issue that Dr. Monesmith and OrthoIndy can fix, I'm not going anywhere else.

I am a trail guy.  I love going to the Smoky Mountains and spending all day on the trails.  Within 90 days of my hip replacement surgery I was back on the trail.  I send Dr. Monesmith a picture post card every time I get back to the Smoky Mountains, just to say "thank you" again and to remind him of the importance of the work he does."

- William R.


"My life had changed drastically the last 2 years prior to my hip surgery.  I limped terribly. My entire body leaned when I walked.  I was in pain almost constantly.  I had to drop out of the hiking club because I could no longer walk even a mile, let alone 5.  I had to buy a self-propelled lawn mower because I couldn’t cut with the push mower.  When I traveled to Washington DC to visit my son and family, I could no longer walk to go to museums, the zoo, etc.  I had to pull myself up the stairs. It was extremely difficult to play with my toddler grand children. I cried every day and night. I realized that I could no longer live that poor quality of life.

Dr. Monesmith didn’t pull any punches.  He was direct and to the point.  When he looked at the xrays, he also told me there was nothing to be done except replacement.  He said I could choose between returning to my active life or sit in a chair in pain.  By then I had decided to accept whatever the diagnosis was to be.  Dr. Monesmith was very positive and reassuring.  He was confident in his ability to do a great surgery for me.  He was confident that I would recover totally and return to my normal active lifestyle.  His self-confidence gave me the peace of mind that I had been seeking.  His confidence in my recovery gave me peace of mind as well.

His bedside manner was great.  He was friendly, kind , had a positive outlook and seemed to be totally in touch with my needs.  Fortunately, I have wonderful friends who cared for me for 2 weeks after I returned home from surgery.

Thanks to Dr. Monesmith, I feel alive again! I am able to do just about EVERYTHING I could do prior to four years ago. Dr. Monesmith gave my life back to me, and for that I will be ever so grateful!"

- Suzanne L.