A Scots dad has had his leg amputated after a fall down the stairs at home led to deadly sepsis. Chris Masterson, from Forth, South Lanarkshire, was getting ready for work on Dec 5, 2020, when he tripped on his pyjama bottoms and tumbled down some steps.
The 43-year-old suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle and was admitted to Wishaw General Hospital. Two weeks later, he underwent surgery to insert metal pins and plates in his limb to treat the break.
But four months on, in April 2021, Chris's leg became infected, signalling the start of a series of issues which led to the dad-of-two's 'life changing forever'.
Former car salesman Chris told the Daily Record: "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."
Chris had his leg operated on for a second time to remove the pins and plates, but in September 2021 after another infection, an MRI found that a piece of nylon string used during surgery had been left inside his leg. Chris was transferred to Glasgow Royal Infirmary to have the string removed from his wound.
Chris suffered recurring infections for a further six months and had seven more operations on his leg. After a bout of deadly sepsis, he took the difficult decision to opt for below-knee amputation on June 10 this year.
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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 has Type 1 diabetes, spent weeks at a time in Glasgow Royal Infirmary as medics tried to flush out infections in a bid to save his limb.
His final operation included removing 5cm of infected bone and being fitted with a circular cage around his knee so the bone could grow back. But it was discovered he had two blocked arteries underneath his knee stopping the blood flow.
After enduring pain for more than a year, Chris believes the nylon string left in his leg prevented his wound from healing and has now raised a complaint with NHS Lanarkshire.
He said: "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 is hoping to be fitted with a prosthetic leg in the coming weeks.
He added: "I just want to get back some normality. 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.”
Friends of Chris' are fundraising for his family as they try to adapt to a new way of life. Click here to donate.
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