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Horror condition ... Melissa King (second from right) thought her leg was going to explode after competing in a fun run. Picture: that’s life
A WOMAN thought she was going to lose her leg when medical complications caused horrific swelling after she competed in a costal fun run.
Melissa King was competing in the Burnie Ten - a 10 kilometre race in Tasmania, when her feet started to feel numb and she lost feeling.
After arriving home, the mother of two said it felt like they were going to ‘explode’.
That’s Life magazine reports that within hours of arriving at hospital, the 39-year-old’s left leg had doubled in size and the pressure was more than three times what it should be.
Shock injury ... Mrs King was unable to walk for a number of weeks following the fun run. Picture: That’s LifeSource:Supplied
King was diagnosed with compartment syndrome and rushed into emergency surgery.
Compartment syndrome is a build-up of fluids inside the webs of connective tissue that form walls, or compartments, around muscles or organs.
If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to amputation and even death.
Doctors were forced to cut two large incisions on either side of her leg to release the pressure and used a vacuum to drain out the unwanted fluid.
Surgery scars ... Doctors were forced to make large cuts to release the pressure. Picture: That’s LifeSource:Supplied
Nearly 12 months on, King continues to have ongoing treatment with the support of her family and friends.
‘If I hadn’t gone to hospital when I did and received such terrific care, I could have been left an amputee,’ Mrs King told that’s life!
Doctors are still yet to find a cause of Melissa’s Compartment syndrome.
Out now ... King opens up about her close call in this months that’s life magazine. Picture: that’s lifeSource:Supplied