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Wait — Why Did This Kid Have His Leg Reattached Backwards?

May. 21, 2011 11:10am
Wait Why Did This Kid Have His Leg Reattached Backwards?

Ohio State Medical Center

Business Insider:

Dugan Smith was a 10-year-old kid who was told he had a malignant cancer in his thigh bone, meaning his leg and knee would have to be amputated.

Because his other options for leg replacement would have limited Dugan’s ability to play baseball again, doctors performed (at his request) a rare and risky procedure known as a rotationplasty.

His lower leg was removed, turned 180-degrees, then reattached where his femur would be.

Wired:

Here’s what happens: The diseased portion of the leg is removed, and then the lower portion (containing the lower shin, ankle, and foot) is turned 180 degrees and grafted back onto the upper thigh. The ankle functions as a knee, the foot becomes the upper shin, and a prosthetic leg then fills out the lower portion.

The Post Game:

The boy didn’t seem to care about the risks, which were several. He didn’t care about the recovery time, which would be long. And he didn’t care about the possible awkwardness, both physically and emotionally.

Dugan wanted to play baseball.

“It wasn’t a question in his mind,” Dustin says.

Dad wasn’t quite ready to take yes for an answer. He was Dugan’s coach, and he didn’t want a charity case on his hands.

“I’m going to be pushing you,” he told his only boy. “You’re not going to like me very much.”

Dugan didn’t care. The decision had been made: Baseball or bust.

Wait Why Did This Kid Have His Leg Reattached Backwards?

But can he really play baseball? Yes:

The Post Game:

The surgery would be brutal. It took a total of 25 hours. There was so much swelling that doctors had to leave the leg wide open and Dugan could actually see his muscles flex as he tried to recover. He spent two weeks in the ICU. Then chemo. Then the pain of adjusting to the first prosthetic leg. Then four more prosthetic replacement legs after that.

You’d think, just once, Dugan would say, “Enough.” Maybe during one sleepless night or one agonizing moment, he’d give up.

Nope.

Wait Why Did This Kid Have His Leg Reattached Backwards?

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Comments (101)

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  • artmonster1204
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 2:52pm

    You wouldn’t be able to get that with Obamacare.

    Report this comment

    artmonster1204  
  • Jim
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 2:31pm

    Cool, kinda reminds me of Cotton Hill.

    Report this comment

    Jim  
  • papa2thdoc
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 2:19pm

    Ohio State? Of course it’s backwards. Go Blue!

    Report this comment

    papa2thdoc  
  • TheGreyPiper
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 2:14pm

    I thought maybe he had been an Obama fan and wanted to start kicking himself in the @$$.

    Report this comment

    TheGreyPiper  
  • Slowman101
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 1:40pm

    God Bless Dugan! Now thats bravery!

    Report this comment

    Slowman101  
  • babylonvi
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 1:20pm

    Marvelous work. Too marvelous to be approved by the IPAB under Obamacare.

    Report this comment

    babylonvi  
  • Salamander
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 1:08pm

    Wow! Courage! And, Determination! I’d bet he doesn’t read his tea leaves on a Teleprompter!

    Report this comment

    Salamander  
  • Cherynn
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:41pm

    This kid is one of tomorrows leaders. He is not afraid of making big decisions and sticking with it. I salute you young man and I am inspired by your BRAVERY !!! All the best for your future !!!!

    Report this comment

    Cherynn  
  • Aaron in Polk County
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:24pm

    Now, he can use “I have two left feet” for an excuse for bad dancing, instead of “But, I’m White.”

    Report this comment

    Aaron in Polk County  
  • Moondogg
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:21pm

    Great story, and I’m glad Dugan gets to keep playing baseball. I pitched for 10 years, so I know how strong the lure of the mound can be. Good job by the father too not wanting his son to be treated any different.

    Report this comment

    Moondogg  
  • mom4times
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:14pm

    TRUELY INSPIRING!!!! Makes the rest of us rather weak.

    Report this comment

    mom4times  
  • Ray2447
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:02pm

    Would Obamacare cover this kind of surgery?

    Report this comment

    Ray2447  
    • chips1
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:50pm

      It payed to put BHO’s head on backwards. Hardly see the scars.

      Report this comment

      chips1  
  • Zebla
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:01pm

    The first I’ve heard of this: I have deep admiration for such courage and determination for such trailblazers. Thanks for your inspiration.

    Report this comment

    Zebla  
  • BonnieBlueFlag
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:48am

    I just watched the Mayo Clinic video on the Rotationplasty. That was AWESOME.

    Report this comment

    BonnieBlueFlag  
    • Patriot Momma
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 8:09am

      The Mayo clinic does amazing things! I’m fortunate enough that I go to the one here in AZ. Their Doctors think outside the box, not to mention even if you don’t live near a clinic, you can come visit be seen by a Doctor and then they can send you home with a treatment plan. I had surgery there, they were fabulous. When I had complications, my Surgeon came in on his day off just to see me. You never hear about that kind of thing anymore. Not to mention when I was in severe pain, they operated on me the very next day. I was so thankful!

      Report this comment

      Patriot Momma  
  • TRILO
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:45am

    Way to Go Dugan! You are a great example to us all. May your life be full of homeruns.

    Report this comment

    TRILO  
  • Hephzibah
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:33am

    Well, that’s just pretty darn cool!

    Report this comment

    Hephzibah  
  • quicker
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:33am

    Hope this turns out well for this young man .Go`s to show what guts can do for you .HEAR THAT GOP.

    Report this comment

    quicker  
  • ShyMan
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:32am

    Wow. We live in an amazing age.

    Report this comment

    ShyMan  
  • Lt_Taz
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:29am

    This youngman doesn’t have a disability, he has a gigantic ability to overcome adversity. may God bless you and watch over you.

    Report this comment

    Lt_Taz  
    • teachermitch32
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:33am

      Just what I was thinking. I pray that I have that kind of fortitude when adversity hits me this hard. He will one day be a productive member in this Republic…if we can keep it.

      Report this comment

      teachermitch32  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:25am

    Dugan,

    You have the heart of a hero. GOD BLESS, young man! Many happy games for you!!!

    Report this comment

    kickagrandma  
  • APatriotFirst
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:20am

    WTG Dugan

    Report this comment

    Truth Wins Every Time  
    • John 3:16
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:27am

      According to Obama this is exactly why we need Obamacare. Doctors giving false diagnosis so he can make extra money cutting off limbs and re-attaching them Backwards. Obama is such a slezzy loser.

      Report this comment

      John 3:16  
  • chirodoc007
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:17am

    Absolutely amazing. This is thinking outside the box and it seems fantastic.

    Report this comment

    chirodoc007  
  • Fly Old Glory 24/7 365
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:17am

    yep, this healthcare system we have here in the US is just awful and needs to be destroyed so this kind of miraculous stuff can no longer take place…Unbelievable stuff…

    Report this comment

    Fly Old Glory 24/7 365  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 4:43am

      The people trying to use the story of this kid’s surgery to score cheap political points are obviously unaware that the procedure was originally invented by a German doctor in the 1930′s. So, uh, yay Nazi health care system?

      Report this comment

      Chet Hempstead  
  • NoStoppingUs
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:14am

    Exactly the kind of innovation that will disappear under Obamacare.

    Thank you democrats!

    Report this comment

    NoStoppingUs  
    • crackerone
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:41am

      Ditto that!

      Report this comment

      crackerone  
    • sooner12
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:42am

      Agreed.

      Report this comment

      sooner12  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:47am

      Cheer up….This is supposed to be a good news story

      Report this comment

      riseandshine  
    • stifroc
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:48am

      well actually under Obamacare he probably WOULD still get this treatment because he is 10 and has a higher “potential value” as a contributor to society.

      HOWEVER under Obamacare if he was 45 years old and not 10… well then they would just whack off the leg and duct tape on a broom handle for a prosthetic.

      Report this comment

      stifroc  
    • mossbrain
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:17pm

      I sure hope no tax dollars were used for that operation. Why should the nanny government pay for that kind of thing. The parents should foot 100% of the bill.

      Report this comment

      mossbrain  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:26pm

      Stifroc: well actually under Obamacare he probably WOULD still get this treatment because he is 10 and has a higher “potential value” as a contributor to society.
      ——–
      Wrong! I hate to say this, but under Obamacare this boy is considered a weak or “defective” human being and therefore a liability. Obamacare could not even afford the 25-hour surgery. Too many illegals in line, kid. Forget baseball.

      Sick and injured children as well as unborn babies will suffer under Obamacare, because “national” health care is about the survival of the fittest and population control.

      Report this comment

      kryptonite  
    • NoStoppingUs
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:41pm

      @riseandshine
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:47am

      Cheer up….This is supposed to be a good news story
      ======

      I sooper dooper happy, Mr. Daschle, and thanks for your concern! We got a big gun show in town this weekend, I’m going to go buy a few thousand rounds of ammo, check out some 1911′s and then head out to the range.

      Thanks again for your concern!

      Report this comment

      NoStoppingUs  
    • Professional Infidel
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:43pm

      mossbrain?? more like moss for brains?? He’s not clueless He is a do’er, not a baby making machine from a state in mexico plopping children with tuition paid.

      Report this comment

      Professional Infidel  
    • stifroc
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 1:05pm

      @Kryptonite

      Touche’

      Report this comment

      stifroc  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 1:38pm

      Nostoppingus…….Daschle and myself are on opposite sides….I doubt Obamacare will be implemented fully….just enough to cause irreversible damage to our healthcare system….But I still have hope we can dump the top down one size fits all approach and adopt a free market approach in our individual States. This can only come about if Obama’s out on his keester on Jan 20, 2013

      Report this comment

      riseandshine  
    • Your Name Here
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 2:21pm

      Under Obamacare he’d be left to die because he has a mind of his own and determination to do it on his own.
      That kind of attitude cannot be rewarded under Obama’s one world government.

      Report this comment

      Your Name Here  
    • DanB
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 6:31pm

      I think you are forgetting your “whole lives system.” At age 25, a whole lives system would spend good money to fix a human being. You are worth your weight in taxable income. However, children and the aged are worth less. The younger you are, the less money. And the older you are, same situation of less money spent to treat conditions. Put to a graph, you rapidly gain value through your childhood until you reach a suitable age (25 or so) then it caps off and slowly drops over the rest of your life until by the time you are in old age (60 or so) when you are again not worth the time and money to treat. I love the irony though that the whole lives system is used by those who claim to care most about individuals but when you really look at it and tax revenue, it becomes apparent what your REAL value is under socialized medicine. And since politicians have the greatest value of all, there are of course exempt from the whole lives system….

      Report this comment

      DanB  
  • jhaydeng
    Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:13am

    The human mind is so impressive!

    Report this comment

    jhaydeng  
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