Ski accident victim’s praise for Arrowe Park surgeon

Aug 6 2008 by Sue McCann, Birkenhead News

A SURGEON from Wirral has been praised for his skill in repairing the shattered leg of a local businessman whose dream ski trip turned into a nightmare “break”.

Neil Hayes, 35, had barely completed the first morning of his Italian holiday when a tumble on ice resulted in a highly complex fracture of his lower leg.

In pain and worried he may never walk again, Neil was transferred to the nearest Italian hospital.

Neil, of Heswall, said: “It was very traumatic. I was concerned that the surgeons there hadn’t made the correct diagnosis, and it turned out I was right.

“On top of that, they put me through some very painful treatment – without anaesthetic - so I was keen to get home as soon as possible to my local hospital, Arrowe Park.”

There consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Jurgen Stamer, of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, used the very latest surgical techniques to completely heal the injury.

Neil was seen urgently by Mr Stamer, who explained: “This was a really bad break but we were able to use a new method of locking plates which resulted in a full recovery for Neil, who could now ski again if he wished.

“Traditional methods of surgery for this kind of break would have meant using a frame to encase Neil’s leg while it healed.

“The new plate fixings do exactly the same job but they are under the skin and cannot be seen which is much better for the patient, reduces the risk of infection and future problems with arthritis.”

The trust’s acute knee service is run jointly by four consultant orthopaedic surgeons which gives patients access to four clinics per week. They can be referred by the Accident & Emergency Department at Arrowe Park or their GP for urgent treatment, and also more routine examinations.