Orthopedics Patient Stories

Emergency room doctors thought Jonathan’s finger might need to be amputated, but UI Health Care hand surgeon Lindsey S. Caldwell, MD, knew how to save it.

We first became involved with University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital 12 years ago when we learned our then-2-year-old son was born with scoliosis.

On April 22, 2018, Aiden was admitted with osteomyelitis – an infection in the bone – that started in his right knee then moved to his left ankle.

When pain from hip dysplasia threatened to prevent Kiersten Latham from participating in her favorite activities, a team at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics worked with her to get her back in action.

"So thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this magnificent gift you've given us."

"Our family will forever be grateful for the care and love that was shown to not only Braden but also to his entire family."

In December 2014, then-13-year-old Parker Kress was experiencing pain in his right ankle and swelling in his calf. He was taken to a local emergency room, where an ultrasound found a mass on his ankle.

Carley was rushed by helicopter to UI Stead Family Children's Hospital in September 2015 after a farm accident nearly severed both of her legs below the knees. She had also sustained a broken arm and a large cut on her scalp.

Makayla was born three weeks premature at UI Stead Family Children's Hospital with additional birth defects. The doctors diagnosed her with OEIS syndrome, which occurs in just one of 300,000 infants. Once Makayla was born, a team of pediatric specialists worked together to develop a plan of care and she had her first surgery at just five days old.

Will Imbus was one of the first children in Iowa to benefit from a unique technology that reduces the number of surgical procedures for early-onset scoliosis patients. Read more about Will's story.