Linda Lyle’s Journey to a Pain-Free Life

Linda Lyle, age 71 of Lawrenceville, Illinois, spent more than two years living with persistent knee pain before deciding to undergo knee replacement surgery at Good Samaritan. “It started out manageable,” she recalled, “but over time, the pain just wouldn’t go away. I tried steroid injections every six months, then every three months, but within two months, the pain was back. It got to the point where I just couldn’t function like I used to.”

After consulting with Dr. David Miller, Good Samaritan Orthopedic Surgeon, Linda learned that her knee was “bone on bone,” the root cause of her discomfort. Though nervous about surgery, she knew it was the next step toward reclaiming her quality of life. “I was nervous, of course,” she said. “But I knew I had to do it for myself.”

Linda’s surgery took place on October 8. From her first interaction with Dr. Miller and his team, she felt supported and confident. “They were all great—very professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely nice,” she said. “The hospital staff made me feel cared for. They were passionate about what they do, and it shows.”

Following her surgery, Linda spent time on the hospital’s fourth floor for recovery and therapy clearance before heading home that evening. “The treatment I received was excellent,” she said. “I had therapy to make sure I could safely go home, and the staff on the fourth floor were wonderful. From nurses and PCTs to therapists, everyone was compassionate and attentive. Gabe Edwards, in particular, went above and beyond—he was truly exceptional.”

Since being discharged, Linda has been attending physical therapy and is already seeing remarkable progress. “I’ve been very blessed with my recovery so far,” she shared. “Most people aren’t as far along as I am at this point. I’m walking with basically no assistance, and my range of motion is exceeding both my expectations and theirs.”

While she hasn’t fully resumed all her daily activities yet, Linda is optimistic. “By the end of six to nine weeks, they anticipate I won’t have any pain,” she said. “I just have to keep following the plan and trusting the process.”

Reflecting on her experience, Linda offers encouragement to others considering knee replacement surgery. “Don’t wait too long,” she advised. “Make the decision for yourself, for your quality of life. And definitely go to Dr. Miller and Good Samaritan—they’re amazing.”

Looking back, she’s glad she took the step. “I motivated myself because I wanted a better life,” she said. “And I’m so glad I did. I feel cared for, supported, and hopeful for the future.”