Sam's Patient Success Story
Sam, an avid hiker and biker, was in a horrific car accident in December of 2013. When he arrived at UT Medical Center, Dr. Scott Smith from University Orthopaedic Surgeons was the on-call surgeon. He along, with the trauma team, saved his life.
"My list of injuries was extensive including,
- 10 – 12 broken ribs
- Broken sternum
- Collapsed right lung
- Broken back
- Broken right arm
- Right-hand paralysis from radial nerve damage
- Outside muscle of right thigh destroyed
- Right leg broken at the hip joint and 4-5" bone loss at knee joint
- 1/3 of right kneecap destroyed
- Left ankle and big toe broken
- Required seven units of blood
I placed my life in Dr. Scott Smith's hands," shares Sam. "He and his colleagues determined the order to repair my damages and how to treat my injuries."
To fix these extensive injuries, Sam had multiple surgeries. Those surgeries included having stabilizing rods placed in his back by Dr. William Oros, plates to repair his broken arm, and bone grafts, plates, rods, and screws all used to repair his hip, leg, and knee injuries by Dr. Scott Smith.
"My surgeries went wonderful," exclaims Sam. "Drs. Oros and Smith did an excellent job repairing my broken body. There were no complications with any of my surgeries, and all were a success!"
Sam also shares that his recovery has been miraculous! "I have been blessed with a full recovery. I have no outward signs that the accident ever happened. I have no limp and have full function in all my limbs. Other than my scars, which no one sees, there is no indication that I've been repaired."
Although Sam's road to recovery was a long one, he has returned to all my activities and can honestly say that he is living no differently than I would if nothing had happened.
"It was a long recovery, and I declared it complete and successful when I hiked to the top of Mt LeConte on September 29, 2016. That was truly an emotional moment for me . . . full recovery!"
"Dr. Scott Smith is a wonderful man, shares Sam. "He took such great care of my wife and me during my recovery. He was so kind to both of us and did everything in his power to fix me. My wife and I live in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio. Because of our faith in Dr. Smith, we made the drive to Knoxville many times for my follow-ups and surgeries because I wanted him to see us through to recovery. I am thankful for him every single day."
Are you ready to get back to doing what you love like Sam? To schedule an appointment, please call (865) 546-2663 or request an appointment online here.
