Seven years ago, 45-year-old Tower Hill resident Ashley Florey began experiencing right knee pain. During a hike in West Virginia and Maryland last summer, the pain worsened. “With every step I took, I felt excruciating pain,” she recalled. “On a daily basis, walking, standing and trying to use stairs became unbearable.”
As a child in Herrick, Ashley had played multiple sports, eventually landing a basketball scholarship to McKendree University (then McKendree College). She also walked on the golf team, earning her another scholarship. It was during college that she began having problems with her knee. She even lost a year of play to her first knee surgery.
Yet, after graduating, Ashley maintained her active lifestyle by running, playing basketball and other sports, and eventually discovering a passion for hiking. In fact, she and a group of others hiked part of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail each year for the last several years. As a parent, Ashley coached each of her three children in various sports.
Over the years, Ashley underwent four surgeries on her right knee, but nothing relieved her pain long-term. “After years of pain, it started to affect me mentally, as well,” she said. “I struggled with depression because I couldn’t participate in the activities that brought me joy.”
The pain also impacted her work as a natural resource specialist at Lake Shelbyville, since being on her feet caused her pain. A close friend who is a physical therapist recommended that Ashley meet with Sarah Bush Lincoln Orthopedic Surgeon Louis Mendella, DO, DC. “Living only 45 minutes from Mattoon, I had never been to the Sarah Bush Lincoln campus for anything,” Ashley said. “I trusted my friend’s judgement and booked an appointment.”
Initial X-rays showed that after years of activity, the cartilage in Ashley’s knee had worn away completely. Without that shock absorber in place, Ashley’s joint was rubbing bone-on-bone, resulting in a lot of pain. Dr. Mendella scheduled a total knee replacement. “The entire orthopedic staff was professional, and after my first visit I knew I had made the right choice,” she said.
In December 2023, Dr. Mendella performed the surgery. Since then, Ashley has felt better than ever, and she is thrilled to have regained her mobility. “This has been a life-changing experience,” she said. “It’s been wonderful to do the things I love and not be miserable.”
Earlier this year, Ashley began cycling to not only recover, but to prepare for her annual Appalachian Trail trip. Between April and May, she cycled 500 miles, so in May she was able to backpack a section of the trail in Tennessee and North Carolina.
In July, Ashley hiked Mounts Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln and Bross in Colorado, each of which is more than 14,000 feet high. Ashley was able to complete that hike, referred to as the Decalibron, in one day. She is now training for a 200-mile backpacking trip across Spain next year.
“When I dealt with the pain, I felt lost and like I was muddling through everything,” she said. “I’ve found myself again, and I owe it all to Sarah Bush Lincoln and Dr. Mendella.”
