Lisa’s Life Before the Accident
Before her accident, Lisa was a senior manager in the NHS with a highly active lifestyle and a particular passion for long-distance running. She was training for the London Marathon with a friend, running three to four times a week—often getting up at 5:30 am to fit in her runs before work.
In addition to her dedication to running, Lisa was devoted to her three dogs, Dottie, Dexter and George, always making sure they had their morning walks.
On 8th March, just days before her 50th birthday, Lisa set out to walk the dogs before completing her longest pre-marathon training run with a friend. Lisa had Dottie and Dexter, while Roger, her partner, took George, their youngest.
Shortly after they began their walk, Lisa was struck by a speeding car in a road traffic collision. A neighbour, an experienced orthopaedic nurse, rushed to her aid and, acting quickly, used Roger’s belt to fashion a tourniquet.
Paramedics arrived swiftly and began immediate treatment. Soon after, an air ambulance landed in a nearby field, with the medical team suspecting a possible amputation. Lisa was sedated at the scene before being airlifted to the Major Trauma Centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital.
On arrival, the trauma team carried out urgent scans and assessments. They explained that while they would make every effort to save her leg, an amputation might be unavoidable.
Lisa underwent a six-hour operation, but the severity of her injuries meant that an above-knee amputation was necessary. She also sustained a deep laceration to her right leg.
She spent six days in the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU), before being transferred to a general ward on the seventh day, where her recovery continued. Five days later, she underwent a second procedure to debride the wound and support the healing process. After only 12 days in hospital, Lisa was discharged.
In the days following Lisa’s accident, seeking legal advice at an early stage proved to be pivotal in her recovery journey. While still in hospital, Lisa was introduced to her solicitor, Jennifer Buchanan, a Partner at Fieldfisher. Jennifer quickly recognised the importance of early rehabilitation for Lisa and ensured that she had access to the appropriate support from the outset.
With her extensive experience in similar injury cases, Jennifer was able to guide Lisa towards the best rehabilitation options. She recommended residential rehabilitation at STEPS Rehabilitation and arranged an initial virtual meeting with both Lisa and Peter Durkin from STEPS Prosthetics. Peter reassured Lisa about the rehabilitation process, outlining the potential for her to walk again, and provided a clear rehabilitation plan, including timelines.
At the same time, Jennifer understood the importance of finding a specialist case manager to coordinate Lisa’s care and support her rehabilitation journey. She introduced Lisa to Kate Gibbons, an experienced case manager from Emma Way Associates with a background in physiotherapy and extensive expertise in amputation and orthopaedic injuries. Kate’s proximity to both STEPS and Lisa’s home in Shropshire made her an ideal fit to work with Lisa.
Kate quickly arranged a video call with Lisa, just 18 days after the accident.
The coordination between Jennifer, Kate, and STEPS allowed for Lisa to move into STEPS Rehabilitation just days after her discharge from Royal Stoke University Hospital, 19 days post-accident. This early action made a significant difference, ensuring that Lisa had immediate access to the therapies, prosthetic care, and specialist support she needed, instead of facing the challenges of returning to an unsuitable home environment too soon.
“I knew immediately that STEPS Rehabilitation was the right place for Lisa. Unlike standard rehab services, which often provide limited therapy, STEPS offers intensive, all-day support in a fully accessible facility. With en-suite rooms, daily therapy sessions, hydrotherapy, and a dedicated team of specialists, this positive environment was essential for Lisa to focus entirely on regaining her independence.”
Kate Gibbons
Lisa arrived at STEPS Rehabilitation on 27th March 2024. As an active and independent individual, she enjoyed running, walking her dogs, and spending time with her family. However, upon her arrival at STEPS, she was wheelchair-dependent — yet determined to walk again.
She was welcomed by the reception team, and Vicki Ridgewell, her assigned nurse, provided a tour of the facility before showing her to the independent living apartment, where she would stay throughout her rehabilitation.
"STEPS is an amazing facility, which felt more like a posh hotel. There was no evidence of it being a clinical setting. It felt homely, welcoming, and professional."
Lisa
At STEPS Rehabilitation, the admissions process is carefully structured to ensure each client receives the most appropriate care and rehabilitation plan. Before admission, the admissions team reviews prospective clients, assessing their individual needs and matching them with the most suitable treating team members. Accommodation is also considered, with rooms allocated based on specific requirements.
"In Lisa’s case, she was so independent prior to admission, that she was allocated the apartment, which was available at the time," explained Vicki "This gave her the flexibility to maintain her independence while also providing space for her family to visit and stay overnight when needed."
Throughout her stay, Dr Rohit Bhide, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine specialising in amputations, prosthetics rehabilitation, and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, oversaw her care.
"We all work in an interdisciplinary way each bringing our expertise to the table. The synergistic effect of the team, all working together towards a common goal, leads to the best possible results."
Dr Bhide worked closely with Vicki and the entire team to ensure that Lisa received the best rehabilitation and nursing care to aid her recovery and improve her clinical outcomes. This personalised approach guarantees that each client feels both comfortable and supported from the outset of their rehabilitation journey.
Lisa benefited from the seamless integration of various specialists and therapies, all under one roof.
Sarah Drury, Amputee Specialist Physiotherapist, was one of the first team members to work with Lisa. When Lisa was admitted just one month after her amputation, she demonstrated remarkable determination and enthusiasm, even in the early stages of her rehabilitation. From the outset, her goals were ambitious—she was determined to return to cycling and marathon running.
“Lisa always displayed immense strength and motivation throughout her rehabilitation,” Sarah said. “Her first challenge was learning how to manage her stump, and then how to properly use her prosthesis. Without this, walking would not have been possible.”
Sarah and the team initially focused on helping Lisa adapt to her prosthetic limb. This involved learning how to put on and remove the prosthesis, then progressing to standing, bearing weight, and walking. Initially, she practised in parallel bars before advancing to crutches and, eventually, a walking stick.
“Each stage of rehabilitation required new strength and coordination,” Sarah explained. “We started with a Kenevo MPK knee, designed for first-time users. Once Lisa was comfortable, we transitioned to a Genium X3, which provides more advanced features for higher-level users.”
As Lisa progressed, the team worked to prepare her for her transition home. Walking in the controlled environment at STEPS was one thing, but navigating slopes, gradients, and uneven surfaces outside required additional training. Lisa worked closely with Sarah to build confidence and develop the necessary skills to overcome these challenges.
Lisa’s daily rehabilitation programme was structured to incorporate a range of therapies, ensuring her progress was both effective and sustainable. The interdisciplinary team collaborated closely, aligning treatments and goals to support her rehabilitation.
During her stay, Lisa worked with Sarah Watt, a Specialist Rehabilitation Physiotherapist with expertise in amputee rehabilitation.
“We broke Lisa’s goal of running into smaller, achievable objectives,” Sarah explained. “Our initial focus was on strengthening her body and improving mobility so that, when she received her prosthesis, she would be in the best possible position to progress. We also concentrated on managing swelling and pain in her sound limb, which had been affected by a deep laceration.”
Lisa also worked closely with the occupational therapy team to build standing tolerance, ensuring every aspect of her rehabilitation was carefully managed through collaboration.
The occupational therapy team played a key role in Lisa’s rehabilitation, working alongside physiotherapists and prosthetists. Tayla, a Specialist Occupational Therapist, first met Lisa during a moving and handling assessment, quickly recognising her independence and motivation to progress.
“Lisa was determined to get going from the start,” Tayla said. “Her drive was evident throughout her rehabilitation.”
Tayla focused on helping Lisa regain independence in everyday activities, such as preparing meals, shopping, and managing family responsibilities. A major goal was ensuring Lisa could walk her dogs and confidently navigate public spaces using her prosthesis.
“We worked on building her tolerance for using the prosthesis and applying those skills to real-world situations,” Tayla explained. “We also trialled adaptive equipment such as shower chairs and wheelchairs to help her make informed decisions for when she returned home.”
In addition, Tayla helped Lisa explore adaptive clothing options, ensuring she could maintain her personal style and confidence.
Dr Rohit Bhide highlights the importance of addressing both the physical and psychological challenges of amputation.
"It's essential to focus not just on physical recovery, but also on the mental resilience needed to reintegrate into the community. Lisa's awareness of the challenges she might face made her an ideal patient, allowing for open conversations about her goals and how we could best support her."
Amputation is a life-altering injury, often leading to a focus on physical recovery and reintegration. However, the psychological trauma is equally important and, if unaddressed, can cause long-term difficulties. At STEPS, the residential amputation programme takes a holistic approach, addressing both physical and psychological needs to ensure the best possible outcome.
Peter Durkin, Prosthetist at STEPS Prosthetics, worked closely with Lisa and her physiotherapists to ensure her prosthesis was correctly fitted and adjusted throughout her rehabilitation. Regular joint sessions helped maintain optimal alignment and prevented issues like gait deviations, which could slow her progress.
“If we notice any issues with fit or alignment, we can solve them immediately, allowing the patient to continue progressing without setbacks,” explained Peter. “This close collaboration between physiotherapists, who focus on muscle strength, and prosthetists, who consider ground force, ensures that solutions can be implemented swiftly.”
Lisa’s ultimate goal has always been to return to running, and STEPS Prosthetics has played a key role in this journey, ensuring she was fitted with the most suitable prosthesis and gradually preparing her for a running blade.
Now back living at home, Lisa continues to receive ongoing support from the STEPS Prosthetics team. She is focusing on refining her gait and building strength.
As Sarah Drury highlighted, "We continue to see Lisa regularly in outpatient sessions, and she is making remarkable progress towards her ultimate goal of running again."
“Her goal is to run again, and possibly even complete a marathon. She’s realistic about the time it will take, but she’s already booked a 10k run for the end of this year. We’re continuing to support her, and we’re excited to see her cross that finish line with the right prosthetic provision.”
Peter Durkin
The transition to home can be a complex process for clients.
“We take a holistic approach to each client, setting goals based on their roles and responsibilities. We work collaboratively, supporting phased returns so that clients can go home for short stays to test their new skills in their own environment. If they face challenges, they return and problem-solve with the team. This way, we ensure their rehabilitation doesn’t end at STEPS."
Tayla
Vicki Ridgewell noted the importance of preparing Lisa for her transition.
“From the very beginning, we were looking at Lisa’s discharge and making sure she had everything she needed to be as independent as possible at home. This included assessing her environmental needs and identifying the right equipment to make the transition smooth. It’s been wonderful to see Lisa progress through rehabilitation and feel confident in her ability to manage at home.”
Lisa’s rehabilitation journey is ongoing, with her focus now on returning to physical activity and work.
“Our goal is to get Lisa back to doing what she loves—running, being active, and working. She’s well on her way to achieving this,” said Dr Rohit Bhide. “For Lisa, it’s not just about regaining mobility, but about feeling fulfilled in all aspects of her life.”
"My main goal now is to run again. I’ve got my first 5k planned in June with the support of the STEPS Prosthetics team, and I’m aiming for a 10k in Benidorm on 22nd November."
Lisa
After renting her home for an extended period, she has now bought and made it fully accessible without compromising on its aesthetics. “I’ve bought my house, and it’s now fully accessible. It’s a real step forward in my independence and my journey back to normality.”
Returning to her career as an NHS Manager is another key goal. “I love my job, and I’m really eager to get back to work. The process of returning is ongoing, but I’m confident that I will get there soon.”
Lisa’s rehabilitation journey has been transformative, and she continues to be driven by her passions and determination. "I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t come to STEPS. I tried a prosthetic within three or four weeks, received intense physiotherapy, and even dealt with a laceration on my right leg that the team worked hard to heal. The fact that I can walk, take my dogs for a walk, and go on holidays is incredible. It’s been just 10 months, and I’ve regained about 75% of my independence.”
“My advice to anyone looking at STEPS is simple - they’re an amazing team. They can deal with any complication, and they’re very friendly and professional. Nothing is too much trouble. I can’t thank them enough - they’ve been amazing.”