At 55 years old, Nanette Bentley embodies vitality.
An active lifestyle has always been her norm – she rides a stationary bike daily and attends Pilates classes. However, in April of 2024, everything changed when she experienced severe pain in her left knee, marking the beginning of her orthopedic journey.
“I remember walking to a restaurant and limping home due to knee pain,” Nanette recalls, reflecting on the frustration that followed.
Initially, she attempted the RICE method – rest, ice, compression, elevation – but her condition did not improve. Then, one Sunday, while stepping up to her door, she felt a sharp pain in her leg that felt like “a ping-pong exploding.” She was unsure if she could even move.
“I made it to the sofa to try to rest,” Nanette explains, “but it did not get better.”
Turning to a friend in the health care field, Nanette was referred to Matthew Busam, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and chief medical officer for FC Cincinnati, who offered immediate attention.
“The staff was amazing, and they got me in the next day,” she shares.
Upon her arrival, it was clear that Nanette was in an “incredibly efficient practice.” An X-ray followed by an MRI confirmed an uncommon injury: a tear in the root of her meniscus. With surgery scheduled within 10 days, the procedure had an 80 percent chance of success, with few alternatives available.
Post-surgery, Nanette had to wear a knee immobilizer brace for six weeks. However, with her care team’s approval, she could remove it at night to sleep.
The adjustment was overwhelming.
“I felt like I had to make significant changes in my day-to-day life,” she shares, yet the support she received from her health care team made a difference.
“They helped me every step of the way,” Nanette adds appreciatively.
Being able to work from home during recovery provided a small measure of comfort, but Nanette was determined to reclaim her active lifestyle. She began physical therapy with Sam Huffman at the Mercy Health – Center of Excellence.
“Sam understood my frustration and was very attentive,” Nanette recounts. “She talked me through the entire process and was accurate about when I would start to feel changes.”
Nanette knew that her commitment to recovery was crucial.
“You get out of PT what you put into it,” she says. “I wanted my life back.”
Nanette diligently followed her at-home exercises and attended PT sessions exactly as prescribed, modifying them with Sam as necessary to manage pain and ensure her safety. The tailored treatment approach helped her feel confident in her care.
“I could tell I was recovering well,” she notes, grateful for the individual attention.
After Nanette’s last physical therapy session, Sam accurately predicted that it would take six months to feel back to normal. With time and dedication, Nanette proved this prediction true. Recently, she celebrated her recovery by visiting her daughter in Chicago, where she easily walked 18,000 steps during her trip.
Now, back to her regular, active lifestyle, Nanette’s journey illustrates her resilience and the attentiveness of her health care team.
“I made a conscious decision to make the best of the situation,” she reflects.
The Mercy Health – Center of Excellence is a state-of-the-art sports medicine and human performance center located at TQL Stadium. The Center is open to the public and offers sports performance capabilities ranging from VO2 Max testing, body composition testing and biomechanical assessments. To schedule your assessment or talk more with the Mercy Health team, call 513-598-2265.
Learn more about all the orthopedic and sports medicine services we provide at Mercy Health.
