Patient Stories

A former Pasadena, TX police officer describes the treatment experience as well as the physical and mental healing process that he received from working with Dr. Brinker after suffering a devastating motorcycle accident that nearly cost him his leg.

 

Limb Restoration using Bone Transport and Tibiocalcaneal Fusion

An experienced Emergency Physician of over 30 years discusses almost losing his foot after a bone infection set up in his ankle and  how Dr. Brinker helped him through the process and saved his foot by being knowledgeable, keeping him informed and being professional.

 

Watch this Bone Infection Patient Story Video

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Foot Savior

Dr. Brinker saved my foot and helped me get my life back! That’s right, he did both for me and for that I will forever be grateful. I know it may sound a little “corny” but I can’t think of another way to describe how much I appreciate his caring, and all he did to help me through one of the most difficult times in my life.

 

Read more of this Foot Fracture Patient Story

 

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Open Ankle Fracture

 

On July 29, 2004 I was rock climbing and I fell over 35 feet. I landed feet first and the impact caused me to have multiple fractures. My injuries included a broken back and several ribs. My most severe injury was an exposed, open fracture of my ankle. Because of the severity of my injuries, the Emergency Doctor who attended to me referred me to Dr. Brinker at Texas Orthopedic Hospital.Dr Brinker and his staff were excellent. They quickly assessed my leg and I went from almost losing my limb to mountain biking within 12 months. I can't thank Dr. Brinker and his staff at the Fondren Orthopedic Group enough for giving my mobility back to me.

Sincerely,

Walter R.

 

Open Fracture of the Tibia

I sustained an open fracture of the left tibia in a “freak” accident involving an automobile on May 20, 2007.

Initial debridement and wound closure was performed by an orthopedic surgeon within 4 hours of the accident and further debridements were performed 3 days later.

On June 1, 2007 the 3rd surgery involved internal fixation with surgical placement of a titanium rod. I then began many months of physical therapy after which I faithfully used a bone stimulator for the prescribed weeks.  By February 2008, after many x-rays and continued pain, I was told by the treating orthopedic surgeon that I needed more surgery.  I obtained a second opinion which confirmed this need.

I finally met with Dr. Mark Brinker who was foremost concerned as to why my tibia had not healed.  I had been taking Hydrocodone, Advil, and Celebrex since my accident on May 20, 2007.  Dr. Brinker asked me to stop taking any medications that contained an anti-inflammatory component as they stop bone healing.   Dr. Brinker referred me to an endocrinologist for a metabolic bone disease workup to determine if there was a metabolic reason for my non-healing.  There was no evidence of a metabolic reason for my continued nonunion. 

At this point I decided to continue my care with Dr. Mark Brinker, who specializes in treating fracture nonunions, malunions, chronic deep bone infections and limb deformities.  On July 1, 2008 I had my 4th surgery since the accident.  Dr. Brinker performed a treatment of my left tibia nonunion with bone graft.  I was placed in an Ilizarov Taylor Spatial external fixator to straighten the severe deformity in my tibia which was still broken and quite crooked. My wife and I had to adjust the fixator daily as per the instructions of Dr. Brinker.  Several months later the external fixator was revised and then finally removed about 7 months after our initial surgery.

I cannot praise and thank Dr. Mark Brinker and his staff enough for encouraging me throughout the process until I was fully healed and totally free of pain.  I have completely normal function of the involved leg, it is healed and straight.  I fear my story would have had a much different outcome without Dr. Brinker’s expert help.

Lacey K., M.D.