Ginny's Video: Staph infection from a broken ankle

She's walking again, 28 surgeries later. See Ginny's short video.



Ginny is a member of the Consumer Health Quality Council of Health Care for All. She told her story of a broken ankle, the staph infection, leg amputation, brain aneurysm and her recovery to the filmmakers Madhavi Bezwada, Meredith Mueller, and Hsiang-Yin Yeh of the Boston University of Public Health.

Advice: Please share her story widely.

Dr. Speedy: A surgical infection

On Dec. 6, I had ankle ligament reconstruction surgery. Two days post-op, I returned to the doctor and had dressings changed and was told -- in my 45-second consult -- that all looked well. In the proceeding days, the pain in my ankle became more intense. I contacted the physician and was told to keep it elevated and continue on the pain medication. When I returned to the doctor nine days post-op, the ankle was red and swollen. The doctor said that I had cellulitis. I said, "Oh, it's infected." His response, "No, cellulitis." Now, I'm no doctor but isn't cellulitis an infection caused by bacteria? In my drug-induced euphoria, I didn't argue. Now the doctor isn't too concerned, except about his good name, I'm sure. I, however, am coming up on two weeks off work, which has implications for me. So I sit here with my foot above my heart taking an extended course of antibiotics.... - Julie's story, Dec. 20.


Advice to patients: Slow down Dr. Speedy by asking some prepared questions: How would we know if this wasn't healing well? What is the most common complication after this kind of surgery?