EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

‘Next step – walking with crutches!’

A man who feared he may never walk again after sustaining a serious spinal injury while hiking is now looking to the next phase of his rehabilitation by targeting walking with crutches.

Jamie Hardesty fell 30ft down Mount Tryfan in Snowdonia in April this year while on a solo hike – part of an adventure holiday to North Wales with his wife Sammy – and was airlifted to hospital. Medics at the Major Trauma Centre at Ainrtee University Hospital in collaboration with The Walton Centre found that he had broken his chest, ribcage, back in three places, and had collapsed both of his lungs in the fall. “I knew I was in a bad way, but I didn’t know to what extent,” recalls 31-year-old Jamie. “I couldn’t move my legs, so I thought that I’d badly broken them. I was confused when I got to A&E because I was pleading with them not to amputate my legs, not knowing that it was referred pain from the damage done to my spine.” During the initial assessment in the Major Trauma Centre, consultant spinal surgeon Miss Maggie Lee assessed Jamie and conducted the complex spinal surgery he needed. Jamie, from Newcastle upon Tyne, continued: “Miss Lee was amazing at calming me down in those initial conversations. I was in surgery for a long time while she was reinforcing my spine. “When I woke up I had no sensation below my hips, the damage was that extensive.” Jamie had sustained Thoracic-level spinal damage, which affected his mobility, but as the injury was classed as an ‘incomplete spinal cord injury’, it means that there is potential for recovery. “I remember being very upset after the surgery because of the lack of feeling in my legs,” Jamie recalls. “I’m a very active person, I’ve run halfmarathons in the past, I love walking and hiking. So facing the prospect of never being able to walk again hit me very hard. “But Miss Lee and the staff on Horsley ICU were excellent in looking after me and keeping my spirits up.” Since the injury, Jamie has been receiving intensive physiotherapy in the community to help get back on his feet and is so far up to walking with a Zimmer frame. Recently, he returned to The Walton Centre to visit Miss Lee and the teams that helped save his life and mobility. Jamie said: “Progress is slow and I’m using a wheelchair mainly for the moment, but considering the extent of the damage I’m grateful to be this far along. I was so happy to come back and see the staff and Miss Lee to show them my progress. “I’m determined to carry on my rehabilitation and walk unassisted again. Next step – walking with crutches!” Miss Lee said: “With an injury like this, initial treatment is to stabilise the spinal column so we can mobilise and treat the patient safely. “The initial trauma causes the spinal cord to be inflamed and swollen, preventing the nerves from functioning properly and this can be devastating, as at times, there may be no function, there can be loss of sensation, loss of movement or loss of control of body functions. “As this settles, nerves can regain some function, especially with an incomplete injury and individuals may recover some function as late as 18 months after the injury. “It is important to remember that all patients are individuals and outcomes can differ. “Jamie had a great positive attitude, which plays an important part in his rehabilitation. He is surrounded by his supportive family and a great team of therapists. “I only played a small part in his journey; he is an inspiration to other patients with spinal cord injury. I am so pleased to see how far he’s come in six months. I hope he continues to recover well.”