Doctors were forced to amputate a dad's leg after he tripped on his pyjamas and fell downstairs.
Chris Masterton broke his leg and dislocated his angle when he took a tumble at his Lanarkshire home.
Two weeks later he underwent surgery at Wishaw General Hospital to insert pins and plates to support his ailing limb, the Daily Record reports.
READ MORE: Takeaway driver filmed attacking ex-girlfriend in chilling 'doggy-cam' video
But after suffering a series of infections, he was diagnosed with deadly sepsis and eventually took the difficult decision to opt for below-knee amputation last month.
The frightening chain of events started on December 5, 2020 when Chris was getting ready for work.
Former car salesman Chris explained: "When I had the accident I told my wife that I'd just see her in a few hours. I thought I'd be in and out quickly, but how wrong I was.
"I've had infection after infection. Just as I thought my leg was healing and I was getting better, I'd be hit again, with another infection."
The 43-year-old, from Forth, underwent a second operation to remove the plates and pins. However, in September last year a piece of nylon string used during surgery was found inside his leg during an MRI scan and he was transferred to Glasgow Royal Infirmary to have it removed.
But after six months of continued infections, seven further surgeries and a bout of sepsis, Chris took the decision to let doctors amputate on June 10.
He said: "Everyone knows that sepsis is a killer so when I was asked about getting my leg amputated I decided to go ahead with it as I didn't want to risk getting sepsis again.
"I was in absolute agony and altogether I've had nine operations.
"My life has been turned upside down after that decision, but I have two children and I just want to get on with it now after going through this for 18 months."
Chris, who suffers Type 1 diabetes, believes the nylon string in his wound prevented it from healing and has complained to NHS Lanarkshire.
He explained: "When I found out about the string being left inside me from that operation, I asked to be referred to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, because I felt that the care I received at Wishaw General was substandard.
"I have already made a complaint to the health board but I plan to take matters further now that all these infections have led to my leg being amputated."
Chris expects to be fitted with a prosthetic limb in the weeks to come, and says he is looking forward to getting some normality back into his life.
He added: "It's amazing what they can do with prosthetic limbs now, but it's going to be a big change."
Claire Ritchie, site director, University Hospital Wishaw, said: "We appreciate this must have been an incredibly distressing time for Mr Masterson.
"Although we have responded to Mr Masterson, we would invite him to contact our Patient Affairs Team to allow us the opportunity to discuss his concerns further in the hope that we can resolve any outstanding concerns he may have."
Chris' friends are raising money to help his family adapt to their new way of life and you can donate here.
READ NEXT:
