Rob Caskie – Knee Details

Rob Caskie – Knee Details

Patient Name: Rob Caskie

Case Study: Severe proximal tibial fracture (knee)

Dr James McAllister: Rob sustained a severe fracture of his proximal tibia following a fall off his motorcycle. He required extensive reconstruction of the tibia and has ended up with a good result.

Testimonial

In May 2019 I smashed my left knee in a motorcycle accident as a result of potholes near Kokstad. The fall broke the Tibial Plateau into a number of pieces. James McAllister graciously agreed to operate on my leg some 40 hours after the accident.

Very ably assisted by Rian Smit, they began their magic around midnight and worked tirelessly for 4 hours. During the operation I stopped breathing on account of broken ribs and a punctured lung. These two remarkable surgeons along with the anaethetist stabilised my breathing, and resumed work on my leg. Rian had much to say regarding the difficulty of bisecting my calf with a scalpel to operate through the back of my leg! Having no understanding of the severity of the fractures and complexity of a knee joint, it only became apparent after the operation quite what a magician James McAllister is.

To boot, with a protracted recovery period before me, including 10 weeks with absolutely no weight on the leg whatsoever, James allowed me to travel 7 weeks after the operation to work on a cruise ship on the west coast of Canada and Alaska. Appreciating how vital this work was to our financial future, it was an extraordinary gesture. We kept in touch via WhatsApp, with photos of the wound, bearing weight on the leg, initial attempts at walking, etc.

James and his wonderful team were so friendly, accessible and encouraging throughout the extended recovery process, including much interaction with the physiotherapists assisting in my rehabilitation. Often James would squeeze me in for an appointment on very busy days. In the fullness of time, the severity and intricacies of my fractures became apparent. X-Rays reveal metalwork beneath my left knee resembling an inverted Eiffel Tower.

Within 7 months I was walking without any assistance, and spinning regularly on a stationary bicycle. I cannot praise James highly enough, and feel I had the best hands available operating on my knee. The recovery process continues, and I owe James and his team an enormous debt of gratitude. An orthopaedic magician in every sense, and a surgeon who fills every hour with 60 minutes worth of distance run.

Rob Caskie

Project Details

  • Patient : Rob Caskie
  • Condition : Severe tibial plateau fracture (knee)

  • Doctor : Dr James McAllister, Dr Rian Smit