Constance’s Story: How A People Person with Arthritis Stays on Her Feet

For the past decade, Constance has worked in customer service at Walmart, a role that keeps her on her feet and connected to her community. 

“It lets me get out and interact with everyone,” she says. “I’ve always been a people person.”

But there was a time when even going to work wasn’t possible.

Constance lives with a hereditary form of arthritis (her grandmother had it, too), and over time, it has progressed to affect nearly every part of her body. The pain made it too difficult for her to work, and she found herself spending more time at home, disconnected from the routines and interactions that once brought her joy.

Ready to get back to a life with less pain, Constance began working with Dr. Jason Lewis at Commonwealth Pain & Spine in New Albany, Indiana. He developed a treatment plan that not only helped her return to work but also kept her active, independent, and connected.

Finding Relief Through Treatment

One of the treatments that has made a meaningful difference for Constance is radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that targets nerves that cause pain through heat. She’s undergone the procedure twice, each time aiming to reduce her chronic discomfort and improve mobility.

"It’s actually very manageable," she says. "I stay awake for it. The procedure takes less than an hour."

While the results aren’t permanent, the relief has been enough to improve her day-to-day life. “It’s not 100%, but it helps,” she says. “And that helps me get through my day.”

With Dr. Lewis, her treatment is tailored to support her daily function, combining interventional procedures with individualized symptom management. “Everything is very thoughtful and based on what I actually need,” she says.

Moving Forward Through Chronic Pain Management   

With her symptoms better managed, Constance has been able to return to the parts of her life that matter most.

She’s back at work, active and connected to those around her. That consistency has made a difference physically, mentally, and emotionally.

She’s been able to help her daughter move back home, something she wouldn’t have been able to take on before. And she’s able to care for the many cats in her neighborhood who come to her porch every day for food and a little love.

There are still limitations, but through care from Dr. Lewis and the Commonwealth team, what she’s gained is just as important: the ability to keep moving forward.

“It allows me to keep going,” she says. “Maybe I can’t do everything I used to, but I can do something.”