Jessica Klein

What started out as a beautiful day in paradise quickly became Jessica Klein’s worst nightmare.In March 2006, Colorado native Jessica Klein was taking a break from schoolwork while attending college in the British Virgin Islands.

“I was with friends hiking along some rocks by the water’s edge when I jumped onto another rock and fell ... I didn’t even realize I broke my leg until my friend saw the blood,” recalls Jessica, 21.

At first her fracture seemed like a “routine” break, but after a few weeks of care at two different St. Thomas area hospitals, infection set in and nearly led to the amputation of her leg. Three physicians and surgeons working together in St. Thomas said they just couldn’t do any more for her.

Jessica’s mother, Stacey Klein called her family’s primary care physician who recommended they go to The Denver Clinic for Extremities at Risk on the campus of Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center. An air ambulance flew Jessica from the islands to Denver where they met Ronald Hugate, MD.

An Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in these types of injuries, Dr. Hugate was ready and waiting to see Jessica. When he realized the extent of the fracture and the infection, Dr. Hugate called on The Denver Clinic’s team to help save her leg.

“This was a difficult case and Jessica had serious problems. Right away we cleaned out the infection and I removed a couple inches of her tibia because the infection killed the bone,” says Dr. Hugate.

“Her injury could have easily resulted in an amputation. The bone and muscles in Jessica’s leg were severely infected, but we’ve put together an outstanding team of physicians and surgeons with different specialities to cover all aspects of care for patients with extremities at risk for amputation.”

After Dr. Hugate’s procedure, another surgeon, David Schnur, MD, a Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon, closed her leg wound using muscle from her back.

Then, Matthew Terra, MD, an Infectious Disease Specialist, worked intensely to battle the infection attacking her leg. Jessica wasn’t quite out of danger, she needed another surgery. Orthopedic Surgeon David Hahn, MD, also a member of the team, attached a special device to Jessica’s leg allowing her body to regrow the bone that was lost because of the infection. Thanks to this treatment, Jessica’s body literally grew two inches of bone.

“They absolutely saved my daughter’s leg,” says Stacey. “It was the best place she could be.”

Now, one year later, Jessica Klein is attending classes in the British Virgin Islands and working on a tour boat – back in paradise. “I never thought breaking my leg might lead to an amputation. They saved my leg and I am so grateful for the awesome care I received. I realize how lucky I really am.”

The Denver Clinic for Extremities at Risk is made up of sub-specialists with expertise in orthopedics, pediatric and adult oncology, reconstructive plastic surgery, infectious diseases, and neurosurgery. The Denver Clinic has treated more than 8,000 patients with trauma, infection, bone and soft tissue tumors, and other diseases that jeopardize limbs.