Robert’s Story
I was granted ‘membership’ of the KCH Limb Reconstruction Club in 2009. I arrived at King’s as a military patient, having been transferred from Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham. I had been injured whilst serving on operations the year before. Unfortunately, the vehicle that my team and I were in hit an improvised explosive device (IED) which destroyed the vehicle and left three of us badly injured. Having received emergency medical treatment on the ground and been extracted back to one of the main NATO bases, we were all flown to the UK for further treatment. It was the end of our tour.

It’s an odd thing, coming round a number of days later, not realising where you are or what’s happened to you, with nurses asking you if you are aware of your own current whereabouts. Those seriously injured were moved to Selly Oak and, although a NHS hospital, certain wards housed injured military personnel. During that period, the number of soldiers treated at the hospital was significant.

Those who have been injured in IED incidents typically have complex breaks which aren’t always easy to fix. Many are irreparable, hence the high number of amputees. Time spent at Selly Oak varies, depending on the nature and severity of the injuries. Some soldiers move quickly from Selly Oak to Headly Court (the military’s rehabilitation facility), others are there for longer. Ultimately, almost all end up at Headly Court for a period of rehabilitation. Unfortunately, some soldiers’ injuries are so severe they are medically discharged from the Army. Sadly for some, although they made it home, they succumbed to their injuries in hospital surrounded by heart-broken family.

I was under the care of Selly Oak for almost a year and a half, during which time I had numerous operations to try and fix the damage to my legs. Unfortunately, they never quite managed to fix my left leg, and a decision was made to move my treatment to King’s Limb Reconstruction Unit and, specifically, under the care of Mr Graham Groom. It was quickly determined that, in order for my leg to have a chance to heal, the previously inserted metal rod in my leg would need to be removed and a Taylor Spatial Stack Frame applied. Subsequently, after 18 months of treatment, a frame was applied and remained on my left leg for nine months.

During the preceding 18 months there had been a few peaks and troughs. The rest of my injuries had healed well, and my body had regained strength. I was also taking less pain medication, which resulted in me feeling better and more normal. However, my left leg was not playing the game due to the complexity of the injury and the fact that it had been left infected for such a long time. Frustrations can set in, compounded often by pain, the effects of the medication one takes and, for many, the physical restrictions injuries and treatments place on your life. These ‘down’ periods can be cyclical in nature or can remain for protracted periods. Either way, it is not just the patient who suffers frustration but also his family. It is at these times when speaking to others, sharing those frustrations and, for some, going to church can make a real difference. For me and my wife, it was our church and faith that provided us needed support.

Whether it was due to having an occupation that required a high level of physical fitness, genetics, the amazing skill and dedication of Mr Groom and his team or faith – or a combination of all these factors – my leg healed quickly with the frame on. Soon after the frame was taken off, I began a rehabilitation programme at Headly Court and I was signed off fully medically fit again.
The staff at King’s Orthopaedics Department, and particularly those within the Limb Reconstruction Unit, are an amazing group of people, utterly dedicated to their patients, restoring people’s lives and the continuation of the service they are devoted to. I truly feel blessed to have come under their care, not just because I can run again, but because of the care and friendship they extended to my wife and me during that period of our lives.

Adrian’s Story
On 9 February, 2003, while in France, I broke my right leg in a snowboarding accident. It was a spiral fracture. I broke the right fibula and tibia. At the time it didn’t seem too serious as far as broken legs go.
I had an operation in France to have a plate put in the leg, then was treated in my local hospital. After about seven months the plate snapped. When they operated to replace the broken plate, serious problems started, with infection plus non-union. I was transferred to King’s College Hospital and have been undergoing treatment there ever since. I had three frames put on between 2005 and 2009, first an Ilizarov, then two Taylor Spatial frames.
To keep busy and stay in shape while enjoying the fine weather, I started weight training with a bench and a couple of dumbbells in the garden. I used to put my leg up and just did whatever I could. I would work around my injury and do things at my own pace. I also tried swimming , but this was the one sport I could never really get the hang of, even before the accident. It was only while in the Taylor Spatial frames that I really started to make progress. It was hard work with all that metal but, over two years, I went from struggling to do five lengths to doing 100.
I was a bricklayer and, at the time of the accident, had a good job working for a small retail maintenance firm.
Six months after the accident, when things weren’t going to plan, I started to think what else I could train as, just in case my leg didn’t heal. I used the time to go to free adult education classes. I did maths and English courses for the first year, then paid for various bookkeeping, accounting and ECDL (European Computer Driving License) computer courses.
While in my second frame and doing an NVQ accounting course, I won a career development award, but was not able to go to the ceremony as I was in hospital having an operation.
Starting something new
My final frame came off in February 2009 after more than six years of treatment. If it weren’t for the encouragement and care I received at King’s College Hospital, I would not be in the position I am now.
Within four months of the frame being taken off, I competed in my first ever triathlon, a novice event in which I came seventh out of about 50. I received an Outstanding Achievement Award from Ashford Tri Club head coach Christine Johnson. So a big thank you from me to everyone who has looked after me over the years. I have continued with the triathlon and joined my local club, Ashford Tri. They have encouraged me, made me feel very welcome and part of the group.
I would like to say a big thank you to Marjorie and Mark, my mum, dad and brother Philip, who have always been there for me through some quite tough times.
Back in a frame
Due to an accident on the 13 August, 2009, my leg has refractured. I was cycling to a hospital appointment when the chain came off the bike. The leg was a mess with a big compound fracture.
I had an operation at Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital where they just washed out the wound and the leg was put in a back slab. I had already requested, and was transferred to King’s the following day, where my fourth frame was put on, on 15 August, one day before a planned triathlon in Worthing.
I had only been back at work full time for eight weeks of a three month trial, and lost that job. But they were good to me, and paid me full pay up to the end of September, for which they had no obligation. This has given me breathing space and time to fill out all those lovely forms.
I have started swimming again. It is still hard, slow work even after so many years of swimming with the frames, and I still get a great sense of achievement from every little goal I achieve.
I think for me the key is to achieve small weekly goals, then the long-term goals will follow.
I am back to doing physio sessions two to three times a day. They are the key to success if you want to go back to an active life once the frames are removed. I completed two triathlons, did lots of long runs, some cross-country over the South Downs and some distance bike rides, and think this is due to keeping active while in the frames.
I do know I will be back, fighting fit.

Tony’s story
My introduction to the Limb Reconstruction Unit came as a result of a medical accident. Over a period of two or three years I had had continual knee problems, largely as a result of sports injuries. In 1999, at the age of 47, it was suggested that I should have an upper tibial osteotomy operation. The cartilage in my left knee was breaking up and the operation would straighten the leg and remove the pressure, I would be able to play tennis again and continue to cycle.
In November that year, an orthopaedic surgeon in Kent preformed the operation. It require a cut to the tibia and fibula, but rather more happened. The tibia and fibula were cut right through and the deep peroneal nerve was severed. I left hospital with a leg that could swing from left to right, and a drop foot.
After several months of painful physiotherapy my physiotherapist insisted I got a second opinion. This is when I discovered to my horror that I had a very unstable disunited fracture of the tibia and fibula. If the limb could not be reconstructed I would need amputation. I was referred to Mr Graeme Groom at King’s College Hospital.
An Ilizarov frame was put on to my leg. After four months it was removed, the tibia and fibula had reunited and I had recovered some nerve sensation, which restored dorsiflexion to my foot. Some follow-on complications were resolved and two years after I entered hospital for the initial botched operation, I was able to return to work.
Although I can no longer play sport, mainly because of the peroneal nerve, not to mention advancing years and girth, I have been able to resume swimming and cycling.
The unit is doing fine work and I am proud to be a Founder Trustee and Deputy Chair of this charity.