Skiing accident
The thing that ever skier dreads. Here’s a timeline of the most painful thing I’ve experienced.
17th February 2025
Accident!
It was towards the end of day 3 of a 5 day skiing holiday with my wife and daughter when it happened. Building up a little speed on a blue run, we were heading towards the bottom of a trough followed by a short uphill section with a hand-rope to pull you up. I looked backed at my daughter to encourage her to gain sufficient speed to reach the rope. Catching an awkward edge with my right ski, I ungracefully waddled and fell. In the tumble I knew the moment it happened. Snap! Agonising pain from my lower leg. When I came to a halt I was screaming, my leg felt like jelly. I knew it was bad.
17th February 2025
Soldeu Medical Centre
The rescuers ski’d me down to Soldeu Medical Centre. I experienced new levels of pain, peaking with the removal of my ski boot. Eventually the Fentanyl kicked in and things calmed down. X-rays showed the damage, later fully diagnosed as a complex proximal tibial Schatzker VI and fibular head fracture. Once stable, I was transferred to Andorra’s hospital in Andorra la Vella.
19th February 2025
External fixation
The medical team in Andorra elected to fit an external fixation, since severe swelling would likely prevent closure of the incisions required to fit internal fixations. Despite its look, this was a painless contraption. I settled into a private room in Andorra, while the hospital team and my insurance company discussed repatriation. With my leg fixed in straight position, there was no way I was getting on a commercial flight.
28th February 2025
Medical repatriation
Finally, medical repatriation arrangements were finalised. A 2.5 hour ambulance journey from Andorra to Toulouse. Then a 90 minute flight by Leer Jet to Biggin Hill, followed by a 10 minute ambulance journey to Princess Royal University Hospital in Orpington.
7th March 2025
Internal fixation
A week after arrival into the UK, the second operation was scheduled. It was somewhat of a marathon, involving two surgeons and their teams. They kicked off around 4pm and it lasted 3.5 hours. The external fixation was removed and two internal plates fitted and a lot of screws. The NHS was brilliant. I lucked-out having a private room, a consequence of travelling from overseas and requiring infection quarrantine.
21st March 2025
Staples out
2 weeks after surgery, 44 staples and 6 stitches removed.
