I write this on the 1 yr ann of my injury, Steel Mill accident with overhead crane, where 18,000 lbs of steel rolled up my leg, "Grade 3 Open fracture of tibia/fibula/medial malleolus, significant soft tissue loss, crush injury", life flighted to Trauma Hos, had 8 surgeries in 3 wks, requiring a "Skin Flap" (11 hr surgery itself), had Leech Therapy, a muscle taken from thigh, artery sewn into lower leg, significant microvascular surgery, "Leg salvage" situation here, HIGH RISK for infection... Never got an infection under Dr Tarkin! ... 7 months later, Dr Tarkin did the "Bone Grafting", took this long for skin flap to heal enough to be re-opened for Grafting. I was walking before the Bone Graft & I am walking after the Bone graft, I have "Drop Foot" due to the crushing (destroys nerves), so I use an AFO brace & a cane when out & about, still undergoing Physical Therapy. Deeply thankful, Indebted with gratitude Dr Ivan Tarkin headed my Trauma Team... EXCELLENT Orthopedic Surgeon! Joked with him one day how my leg is comparable to football player Alex Smith & he assured me with a stern grin Alex Smith had nothing on me, my situation was pretty severe, extensive. 10 yrs ago, would have likely been an amputation. read more