Woman Who Spent Days in Hospital with Painful Open Wound Waiting to Be Stitched Up Ends Up Losing Entire Leg

A 61-year-old woman from Canada had her right leg amputated following weeks of suffering and complications caused by delayed medical care after a knee replacement surgery.

Roseanne Milburn's health struggles began in October 2023 when she finally underwent a right knee replacement after waiting six years, CBC reported.

In late November, a post-surgery infection required emergency removal of dead tissue, but she faced an eight-day delay in treatment when her transfer between Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre (HSC) and Concordia Hospital was disrupted by bed shortages.

This prolonged delay left Milburn with a painful open wound and worsening complications.

By the time she returned to HSC, the damage from the untreated infection made her leg unsalvageable, forcing her to choose between multiple uncertain surgeries or amputation.

Milburn opted for the latter and is recovering at Concordia Hospital, where she expects to remain through the holiday season as she learns to adapt to life with one leg.

"Discouraged. Don't know if I'm going to be home for Christmas,"Milburn said. "Still living this hell day-by-day, hour-by-hour, not knowing anything."