Winnipeg woman’s leg amputated after eight-day wait for surgery

A Manitoba woman had her right leg amputated following complications from a knee replacement surgery after an extended delay in receiving care at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre (HSC).

Roseanne Milburn, 61, underwent the scheduled amputation last Friday after weeks of suffering caused by a post-surgery infection. 

While the operation went well, Milburn remains frustrated and heartbroken over what happened.

Milburn’s complications began in October following her long-awaited right knee replacement surgery. 

In late November, her surgeon at Health Sciences Centre began removing dead tissue from her right knee, with plans to complete the procedure after consultation with an orthopedic surgeon at Concordia Hospital.

However, when Milburn was sent to Concordia, her return to HSC was delayed for eight days because no beds were available. 

During that time, she endured significant pain with an open wound that remained untreated.

By the time she was transferred back to HSC, she had another infection.

Milburn said doctors told her the damage caused by the delay left her leg unsalvageable.

Shared Health, which oversees healthcare delivery in Manitoba, said Milburn was given treatment options, including the possibility of multiple surgeries to try to save her leg. 

However, Milburn said the uncertain outcome with a significant risk of amputation made the choice clear.

“Nope, don’t regret it,” Milburn told CBC News on Monday about her decision to go through with the amputation. 

“Don’t like it because it’s very painful,” said Milburn, describing the phantom pain she now feels where her leg used to be.

Milburn remains frustrated that the six years she spent waiting for a knee replacement ended with her leg amputated.

“Discouraged. Don’t know if I’m going to be home for Christmas,” said Milburn from her hospital bed at Concordia Hospital, where the amputation was performed. 

“Still living this hell day-by-day, hour-by-hour, not knowing anything.”

Despite her grief, Milburn is determined to regain some measure of independence.

Within a day of her surgery, she asked medical staff to show her how to use a walker, even with only one leg.

“They were surprised,” said Milburn. 

“But I said I need to be independent for me.”

Milburn, who describes herself as the “matriarch” of her family, said one of the hardest parts has been relying on others.

“I take care of the family, and now it’s really hard to have them take care of me,” said Milburn. 

“It’s hard to accept because I’m the one that’s supposed to be taking care of them.”

While she hopes to be fitted for a prosthetic leg in the future, her focus for now is on recovery. 

Milburn said she expects to remain in hospital for rehabilitation at least until Christmas Day or longer.

The devastating outcome has also led her to abandon plans for surgery on her left knee, a procedure she had been waiting for as long as her first.

“Careful what you wish for,” said Milburn, her tone a mix of bitterness and resignation.

Milburn’s story raises questions about surgical delays and bed shortages within Manitoba’s healthcare system.

Back in October, a Winnipeg man had his wrong leg amputated at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. 

An investigation has begun to figure out how the wrong leg was amputated and make any changes to the healthcare system so this does not happen again.