Tyler Nelson
Back on His Feet Thanks to Lone Peak Hospital and Peak Orthopaedics
Tyler Nelson didn’t hold back at his 6-year-old’s birthday party, he joined the rowdy ruckus in bouncy houses, trampolines and a ninja warrior course. In fact, Tyler and his wife had agilely completed the ninja warrior course at least six or seven times before the incident with the warped wall.
On that final run, as Tyler sprinted up the steeply curved wall and stretched to grab the top ledge and hoist himself up, he heard a clear snap.
“My first thought was maybe I broke the wall or a board or something, but them my foot didn’t move, and I felt a tendon shoot up the back of my leg,” Tyler said.
With a single snap, the party was over for Tyler; and he knew exactly why.
“I told my wife, ‘I think I snapped my Achilles tendon,’ and she said, ‘That’s oddly specific, are you sure?” Tyler said.
When mishaps happen, Lone Peak Hospital offers timely, specialized medical attention
Tyler and his wife, Sarina, left the party in the capable hands of grandparents and hobbled to the car for a ride to the hospital. Without having to discuss it, they knew exactly which hospital they were headed to.
“Every time we’ve needed to go to Lone Peak Hospital, it’s been a good experience,” Tyler said. “We had both our kids there, and I’ve had a few motorcycle accidents and had surgeries there. Even though we live about 90 minutes away, we always make sure to go to Lone Peak.”
As Tyler limped into Lone Peak’s Emergency Room, a gentleman behind the front desk ran forward with a wheelchair – setting the tone for speedy and kind service. Within five minutes they had received initial medical attention and ordered X-rays, which then confirmed Tyler’s original diagnosis. His Achilles tendon, the tendon that attaches the calf muscle to the heal bone, was indeed torn.
Connected with confident care: Discovering Dr. Brian Powell, orthopaedic surgeon
The ER team connected Tyler with Dr. Brian Powell of Peak Orthopaedics. As a board certified and fellowship-strained orthopaedic surgeon with expertise in the complications of foot and ankle, Dr. Powell provided Tyler with the skill, knowledge and solutions of how to get back on his feet again.
“Dr. Powell was knowledgeable and professional. He spent time with us, explaining all our options. He answered all our questions and even answered questions we didn’t think of asking. I was thankful he went through the whole process step by step, and he even offered suggestions for the best things to do to heal quickly,” Tyler said. “I noticed that Dr. Powell was confident he could help me, and I felt confident in him too.”
After hearing all his options, Tyler chose to undergo surgery to reattach the Achilles tendon. The procedure took place at Lone Peak Hospital just days after.
“Everyone at Lone Peak was professional and calming. The nurses were great – honestly, everyone’s great there, that’s why we like that hospital,” Tyler said. “They were good at putting me at ease. I like that everyone seemed light-hearted and easy to joke with, which helps me not be too nervous. We had a few good laughs – my situation was easy to joke about – and that made a more pleasant experience.”
Dr. Powell provides timely and convenient care all along the road to recovery
Tyler’s surgery went smoothly, and he soon returned home to focus on the recovery process. Everything was going well until Tyler slipped while getting out of the shower. It happened just one week after surgery, and as he slid and stumbled, he put significant weight on his foot.
“That hurt more than when I actually tore it the first time. It became swollen and bruised, and we called Dr. Powell to make sure I didn’t ruin anything. He called us right back and got us right in to look at it – through our whole experience, we’ve never had to wait for anything,” Tyler said.
To Tyler’s great relief, the fall didn’t cause new injuries or undo the surgery, and no further surgeries or precautions were needed.
As of now, Tyler is six weeks post-surgery. He’s graduated from a cast but remains on crutches and avoids weight bearing activities. He’ll soon upgrade to a medical boot with wedges and will slowly move toward a normal shoe. Since his occupation as a journeyman for an electric company requires being on his feet, Tyler and his wife are adjusting to slower days at home.
“My wife is amazing – I’m one more child at home to take care of,” Tyler said with a smile and a sigh. “It’s a long recovery due to one little ninja course at a 6-year-old’s birthday party. From here on out, I plan to be more mindful of high-risk situations. I’ll still go hiking, ride motorcycles and play with the kids – but I probably won’t do any more ninja warrior courses.”
Tyler noted how thankful he is to know that when mishaps happen, his family can confidently pull up to Lone Peak Hospital for help and healing.
“We say, ‘Take me to Lone Peak’ because they can make a bad day a little better,” Tyler said.
When mishaps happen, Lone Peak Hospital offers timely, specialized medical attention
Tyler and his wife, Sarina, left the party in the capable hands of grandparents and hobbled to the car for a ride to the hospital. Without having to discuss it, they knew exactly which hospital they were headed to.
“Every time we’ve needed to go to Lone Peak Hospital, it’s been a good experience,” Tyler said. “We had both our kids there, and I’ve had a few motorcycle accidents and had surgeries there. Even though we live about 90 minutes away, we always make sure to go to Lone Peak.”
As Tyler limped into Lone Peak’s Emergency Room, a gentleman behind the front desk ran forward with a wheelchair – setting the tone for speedy and kind service. Within five minutes they had received initial medical attention and ordered X-rays, which then confirmed Tyler’s original diagnosis. His Achilles tendon, the tendon that attaches the calf muscle to the heal bone, was indeed torn.
Connected with confident care: Discovering Dr. Brian Powell, orthopaedic surgeon
The ER team connected Tyler with Dr. Brian Powell of Peak Orthopaedics. As a board certified and fellowship-strained orthopaedic surgeon with expertise in the complications of foot and ankle, Dr. Powell provided Tyler with the skill, knowledge and solutions of how to get back on his feet again.
“Dr. Powell was knowledgeable and professional. He spent time with us, explaining all our options. He answered all our questions and even answered questions we didn’t think of asking. I was thankful he went through the whole process step by step, and he even offered suggestions for the best things to do to heal quickly,” Tyler said. “I noticed that Dr. Powell was confident he could help me, and I felt confident in him too.”
After hearing all his options, Tyler chose to undergo surgery to reattach the Achilles tendon. The procedure took place at Lone Peak Hospital just days after.
“Everyone at Lone Peak was professional and calming. The nurses were great – honestly, everyone’s great there, that’s why we like that hospital,” Tyler said. “They were good at putting me at ease. I like that everyone seemed light-hearted and easy to joke with, which helps me not be too nervous. We had a few good laughs – my situation was easy to joke about – and that made a more pleasant experience.”
Dr. Powell provides timely and convenient care all along the road to recovery
Tyler’s surgery went smoothly, and he soon returned home to focus on the recovery process. Everything was going well until Tyler slipped while getting out of the shower. It happened just one week after surgery, and as he slid and stumbled, he put significant weight on his foot.
“That hurt more than when I actually tore it the first time. It became swollen and bruised, and we called Dr. Powell to make sure I didn’t ruin anything. He called us right back and got us right in to look at it – through our whole experience, we’ve never had to wait for anything,” Tyler said.
To Tyler’s great relief, the fall didn’t cause new injuries or undo the surgery, and no further surgeries or precautions were needed.
As of now, Tyler is six weeks post-surgery. He’s graduated from a cast but remains on crutches and avoids weight bearing activities. He’ll soon upgrade to a medical boot with wedges and will slowly move toward a normal shoe. Since his occupation as a journeyman for an electric company requires being on his feet, Tyler and his wife are adjusting to slower days at home.
“My wife is amazing – I’m one more child at home to take care of,” Tyler said with a smile and a sigh. “It’s a long recovery due to one little ninja course at a 6-year-old’s birthday party. From here on out, I plan to be more mindful of high-risk situations. I’ll still go hiking, ride motorcycles and play with the kids – but I probably won’t do any more ninja warrior courses.”
Tyler noted how thankful he is to know that when mishaps happen, his family can confidently pull up to Lone Peak Hospital for help and healing.
“We say, ‘Take me to Lone Peak’ because they can make a bad day a little better,” Tyler said.