Man loses both legs after suffering from Minor Injury

Dylan Riley, a man who initially suffered a minor knee injury, tragically lost both of his legs after complications from a life-threatening infection. 

The incident occurred in October last year while Dylan was playing frisbee golf with friends. His disc rolled into the road, and as he retrieved it, he tripped and cut his knee. At first, he dismissed the injury as minor.

Two weeks later, Dylan began experiencing severe symptoms, including fever, body aches, chills, and vomiting, but he attributed it to the flu. After taking a hot bath to relieve the discomfort, he realized he could no longer move and screamed for help from his roommate. His roommate immediately called an ambulance.

Dylan was rushed to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome a rare but severe bacterial infection. Despite medical intervention, the infection caused irreversible damage, leading to the amputation of both his legs.

According to Dr. Bob Schoaps, Medical Director for Specialty Critical Care and Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support at Integris Health, he said: “He came into our hospital severely sick, on death’s doorstep practically,” 

According to Schoaps, the situation worsened for Dylan Riley when streptococcus bacteria entered his bloodstream, triggering a severe case of toxic shock syndrome. This condition caused Riley’s organs to fail, and his heart stopped twice during the ordeal doctors tried to revive him.

“If Dylan would’ve stayed home a couple more hours, it’s very likely he would not have survived.

“With his level of illness, we estimate his survival chances at 10% or less.” Schoaps added

During that time, Riley waited for his amputation surgery as he dealt with painful side effects like loss of taste and peeling skin.

Riley mother on his part said: “As a mother, it’s your worst nightmare. I said, Do what you have to do and save my son.”

It could be recalled that Dylan Riley underwent surgery in January, during which his hands were partially amputated. However, surgeons managed to save part of his right palm and a portion of his fingers.

How he copes with it, he said: “I can still grab a pencil and write.

“But I can’t hold power tools like I used to.

In May, Riley received prosthetic legs through the Limbs for Life Foundation and immediately began rehab revealed that he is determined to adapt quickly to his new life and prove people wrong.

“I didn’t want to be one of those people where everyone feels bad for me…… I wanted to prove people wrong.” he told the PEOPLE