Here's a better picture to compare. The rest of the plant is very deep green.

Bill, I'd guess past culture of it wasn't as kind as what you can offer it. Repot it yet again, trimming even more roots, and putting it outside when it's warmish for you would benefit the plant greatly. I think improved environmental conditions (more growing room and warmth) would straighten it out. I think you can still keep it small, or start new plants (the time is almost NOW!) from the pads, ones free of the scabs/lesions/suppurating fissures that Opuntias are known to get.

Thanks!

It sits in direct window sun in winter and out on the deck once it warms up enough.

The old plastic pot would blow over so easily when the media got dry and more than once it blew off the deck on a windy day (6 ft drop) onto the lawn. Must have hit with the bottom down because the plant itself looked okay.

Finally found this much heavier clay pot which should be more stable.

In my mind I'm thinking 'bonsai' but that may not be possible with this type of plant, idk.

We'll see how it goes. :-)

3-27-2023 update:

I found something that probably didn't help the plant and really should've thought of it earlier.

When I went to, what I thought was giving a good top watering, a few weeks ago, when almost done, I noticed bubbles coming out around one of the bases.

So, I continued flooding the plant from the top and pretty soon, more bubbles from other places started rising from the soil.

I think that when I repotted, and watered it in, that there were dry pockets left inside the densely formed root balls. 🤦‍♂️

I continued to water until no more air was coming out of the soil. Took an hour+.

This time (tomorrow) I'm giving it a bottom soak or possibly just water more thoroughly over a period of time.

Spring is close. I'm beginning to see several new sprouts forming. :-)

Overall, the plant is looking much better already.