Story of Success in a Risky Situation

Orthopedic Surgery: Benefits Won Over Risks

Courtesy of The Frankilin Times, Oct. 2008

Dear Editor:

Our story begins on Oct. 1, 2008. As my husband’s mom was walking to our van for a trip to Kentucky to visit relatives, she fell and broke her hip. After several hours in the emergency room and lots of tests, she was admitted to Franklin Regional Medical Center.

The attending physician for the hospital said she did not have but a couple of options due to her medical conditions, congestive heart failure and an aneurysm. They considered her a very high risk for any surgery.

The first option was major surgery (hip replacement), which could not be done due to possible heart complications during surgery. This was ruled out. The second option was to do nothing and suffer tremendous pain that would end her life within a few months.

On Oct. 2 (early morning), Dr. Clifford Wheeless, orthopedic surgeon for the hospital, came in and talked with us. After reviewing her medical chart, he said that he could do a surgery with only local anesthesia (numb the hip area) and put three screws in her hip within 30 minutes. She would not be put to sleep. This surgery would get her back to within 80 percent of her mobility, and no pain.

We all agreed on the third option. For several hours, Dr. Wheeless and his assistant, Lynn Ball, talked with the hospital administration to convince them that he could perform this surgery with minimal risk. Finally, they agreed for the surgery to be performed that afternoon.

The surgery went well, and after five days in the hospital and nine days in Louisburg Nursing Center, our mom is at home. This proves that sometimes the benefits outweigh the risks.

We will always be grateful that Dr. Wheeless and Lynn had the compassion for our mom to take this risk on her behalf.

We would recommend this fine surgeon to anyone needing orthopedic surgery.

The family of
Frances Strickland
Jerry and Judy Strickland
Louisburg