In this YouTube interview, Dr. Joshua John‑Ram Schacter speaks with 44‑year‑old patient Brooke Willis about her experience receiving platelet‑rich plasma (PRP) injections for a painful right knee at Pinnacle Integrative Orthopedics. Brooke describes her pre‑treatment life—persistent pain, stiffness, and inability to maintain consistent workouts or perform farm duties. She explains why she sought treatment, her concerns about recovery and efficacy, and the brief, mildly uncomfortable procedure. Recovery after the first injection required a few days of limited activity, while the second round felt markedly better. Within 2‑3 days she resumed farm chores, and over the following months she regained the ability to perform squats, lunges, longer treadmill walks, and cycling without swelling. Brooke feels revitalized, describing herself as “young old” with restored energy. She recommends Pinnacle to others, emphasizing the option to avoid surgery, the supportive staff, and Dr. Schacter’s easy‑going manner. The interview ends with a light‑hearted demonstration of squats.
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Awesome! This is amazing. I have Brooke Willis with me today. Brooke, if you don't mind— and you're so beautiful— but if you don't mind, would you give me your age?
I'm 44.
Okay, that's— I did not expect that when I first met you because you look like you're 25. So tell me, Brooke, we did PRP for your right knee. We've now— it's now about 5 months from your first PRP injection and 3 months from your second. You had a lot of pain in your knee. Can you tell me what life was like before your treatment?
I felt like life was like 2 steps forward, 10 steps back. So I'd try to get on a program and then something would hurt and then it would swell and then I'd get upset and then I would have to start all over again. So it was just pain and stiffness and really not knowing what to do.
What were you unable to do that really bothered you?
Just be consistent in workouts or even have days where right before it was gonna storm, I knew I was gonna feel terrible for a day or two, or after workouts not having recovery that could get me back on track.
Yeah, that's so frustrating. What finally triggered you to come in and meet me here at Pinnacle?
Number one, I was frustrated and kind of at a point where I didn't know what to do. I knew that, you know, I had issues with my knees from past physical therapy, etc., and you popped up on my Facebook page. So I thought, that sounds kind of interesting, and I'd like to see what he could offer me.
Yeah, fantastic. So we did PRP on that right knee. What concerns did you have before we did the procedures?
I was just concerned with like, what's the recovery going to be like? Or, you know, what if it doesn't work? You know, just all the things that go through your mind. Um, and what if it hurts?
What was the procedure like for you?
Uh, it was pretty quick. Um, it was a little uncomfortable but manageable, and, um, recovery wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.
What kind of downtime did you have?
With the first round of treatment, it was more intense when I was at home. I had a few days where I needed to just kind of stay off it. And then with the second round, I was like, oh, that's it. I felt so much better.
Fantastic. And when did you go back to work?
I don't work right now.
So you take care of a whole household. So when were you able to get back to those duties?
Okay, so I have like a hobby farm, and with my animal feeding and all that, I was able to get out there within 2 or 3 days. The first few days I just kind of was like, don't lift anything heavy. But yeah, 2 or 3 days after, I was out taking care of all the horses and goats and everything else.
Fantastic. So tell me, what's life like now?
It's really interesting because I feel like I'm getting my old self back, but like my young old self that was full of energy and vitality and not scared to kind of go the next step with my fitness or trying new things. And I feel really balanced.
That's fantastic.
Yeah.
I love that. I love that. What specifically can you do that you couldn't do before you met us?
Um, like I told you that I was able to do a few like squats and lunges and things that I would just be terrified to even try to do. Um, longer walks on the treadmill or, you know, cycling the erg, those things would always kind of leave me feeling a little swollen or uncomfortable afterwards.
Okay. What would you tell somebody that, that's considering working with us here at Pinnacle Integrative Orthopedics?
I would say to come, you know, talk to you guys, and at least even if you're not ready, at least you can be informed and know that there's other options. Because the thing that I liked that you taught me was that you can, you can get ahead of having surgery instead of having to do something. You could get to the point where you're working to prevent it instead of reacting to what's already been done.
Absolutely. That's our, that's our whole mission here. So anything else that you'd like to tell somebody who's considering working with us? Anything about our staff?
Uh, the staff's great. They're really easygoing. Dr. Schacter is really easygoing. Um, they'll just make you feel right at home, and if you have questions, don't feel afraid to ask.
Wonderful. Brooke, you're so great. Thank you very much.
You bet.
She's amazing. Let's do some squats. Are you ready? Yeah.
Okay. Oh, they do crack still, but that's it.
I think that was mine, actually. Let's go again. Look at that. She's so good.
