A retired Scots nurse who smashed his leg so badly doctors were unable to operate for a week has learned how to walk again.
Tom Walsh, from Paisley, was cycling in the town in November last year when he had an accident that left him with a life-changing injury.
He was rushed to nearby Royal Alexandra Hospital as he had suffered multiple fractures to his right lower leg.
The 59-year-old has been told he never be able to cycle again.
Tom said: “I’d suffered one of the worst fractures you can have in the lower part of the knee,” said Tom, “and when I arrived in hospital I was in a pretty bad way.
"They took me into the resuscitation area and I was given multiple X-rays and scans of my head and neck.
“I was in hospital for four days as the surgeons waited to operate on my leg, but the swelling was so bad that it was more than a week before they could perform the reconstruction surgery."
The fit and healthy retiree was very active and would cycle five times a week and take regular walks with his wife Ruth.
However, from the moment the extent of the injuries became apparent in hospital it was made clear to him the huge impact it was going to have on his life.
“Their assessment was positive, but realistic, and I’m really glad for that", he continued.
"Nobody talked about a full recovery back to the way I was before – but they said that with a lot of work and determination I could be active again.
“Their honesty and professionalism is something I’ll always remember.”
Tom is full of praise for the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff who took care of him in those early days, and have worked so hard with him on his rehabilitation.
“I don’t know everybody’s name,” he said, “but I would like to say thank you to all of them.
"There has been no aspect of my care I could fault – and that’s with my experience as a nurse. My wife is a nurse too, and she feels the same.
“Mr Juned Ansari, the orthopaedic surgeon who operated on my leg – I credit him for the fact I am where I am today. It was a very complex fracture, and he and his team used metal plates and screws to put my fractures together again. I will always be grateful.
“And the senior charge nurse and the entire staff at the fracture clinic. They have been so professional, helpful and friendly during more than a dozen visits – an absolute credit and the perfect example of what you would want the NHS to be.
"“All I can say to them all is thank you. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me.”
Tom’s care is ongoing, and he still has regular physiotherapy sessions with the Musculoskeletal (MSK) team.
He has now given up cycling, and he's not quite as quick around the house or out for a walk with his wife but the 59-year-old said he is working hard to stay fit and start exercising again.
“I’ve taken up kayaking again,” he said. “I used to do it when I was younger, so it’s great to be back on the water. I’ve also bought a little boat on Loch Awe, which is lovely.”
Looking back on what has happened to him over the past five months, and thinking ahead to the future, Tom has a simple message.
“When you suffer an injury like this, it’s a huge amount to take in. One day I’m cycling 100 miles a week and the next I have to learn to walk again and find new sports. It does have a huge impact on your life."
