Local chiropractor thanks Western Baptist for saving his leg
Western Baptist orthopedic surgeon Brian Kern, M.D., (right), visits with chiropractor Terry Heisner, D.C., and his wife, Karen, during a recent doctor’s appointment. Dr. Kern saved Dr. Heisner’s leg after an infection turned to gangrene.
Chiropractor Terry Heisner, D.C., is thrilled to throw out the first pitch before the Southern Illinois Miners home game on Thursday, Aug. 25. But he’s even more excited to be walking out to the mound.
A few months ago, doctors didn’t know if Dr. Heisner’s leg could even be saved after an infection turned to gangrene. “I thought he would lose his leg,” said Western Baptist Hospital orthopedic surgeon Brian Kern, M.D. “I never thought he would walk out of this place.”
Dr. Heisner, 58, who has offices in Paducah and Metropolis, Ill., had never taken a sick day in 33 years of practice until this spring. A borderline diabetic, Dr. Heisner scratched at a callous on his leg and soon developed a diabetic foot ulcer. He and his wife, Karen, treated the infection at home and thought it was getting better.
Instead, the anaerobic bacteria causing the infection was resisting antibiotics and getting worse. “By the time he got to the hospital, he was at risk of losing his leg and could possibly die,” Dr. Kern said. “The muscle tissue was dying. We took him to surgery right away.”
Dr. Kern operated on Dr. Heisner’s leg three times in one week, washing away the bacteria and removing the dead muscle. By the third surgery, Dr. Kern realized a significant portion of the muscle was still viable and could be saved.
Western Baptist plastic surgeon Daniel Tkach, M.D., also performed three surgeries, placing new tissue from skin grafts over the wound. Infectious disease physician Carl LeBuhn, M.D., treated Dr. Heisner’s infection.
“There were a lot of players involved, including the physical therapists and nurses,” Dr. Kern said.
Dr. Heisner spent eight weeks at Western Baptist before being released May 16. “The nurses took unbelievably good care of me,” he said. “The nurses, doctors and hospitalists have all been wonderful.”
Susan Wurth, R.N, orthopedic and urology director, has been amazed at Dr. Heisner’s progression.
“I’m proud of the hospital and Dr. Kern that we could save his leg,” Wurth said. “Thank goodness it’s a unique problem we don’t see very often, but it’s a devastating problem. This was a very big team effort.”
Dr. Heisner hasn’t been released to return to work, but he is excited about being able to walk. He was picked to throw the first pitch at the ballgame after his wife, Karen, submitted his inspiring story to the Southern Illinois Miners organization.