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Bobbie Leas, then living in Washington, came home from shopping one day about seven years ago to find a fresh wound on her right heel and a shoe full of blood. Little did she know that day that the journey to get that wound healed would take six years, a move to Crookston, and the help of RiverView Physical Therapist (DPT) Brittni Johnson.

The years following the onset of the wound were filled with doctor visits, ambulance rides, surgery, two different rehab facilities, a wound specialist, and enough wrap/bandages to cover the distance between Washington and Crookston, where Leas moved four years ago. One doctor even used the word “amputation’’, to Leas’ horror.

This past summer, Leas heard about the services of Johnson, not only a PT but also a wound specialist working in RiverView’s Rehab Services Department and with RiverView Home Care.

Johnson began working with Leas shortly before going on maternity leave. She’d visit Leas at her home at the Summit/Benedictine Living Community through Home Care, or Leas would see Johnson in the Rehab Services Department. After Johnson returned from maternity leave, the two picked back up. According to Leas, Johnson had the wound healed several weeks later.

‘’We’re talking miracles here,’’ Leas said of Johnson’s help healing her wound. “She cured it. She did it.’’

More than a Bandage

While all of the other providers seemed to only clean and wrap the wound, according to Leas, Johnson actually “treated it.’’ Part of the treatment consisted of Leas wearing a total contact cast to help protect the skin on her foot and keep the pressure off the wound. The cast allows for faster healing.

Today, Leas does daily exercises and follows Johnson’s instructions to regain the strength she lost from minimal walking for so many years. She’s quick to let you know that she’ll be walking by Christmas. “I’m planning on it. Every night I’m taking baby steps…. After seven years, my legs are like noodles, but I’m going to walk again.’’

Leas can’t say enough good things about Johnson. “I’ve been telling everyone we need to share her name and information. She makes herself available, and she knows her stuff.’’

Leas has even returned to shopping, reporting that while she took her wheelchair on the outing, she was up and walking part of the time.

Finding the Right Care in Crookston

Stuart Laniel is another Crookston resident who praises Johnson’s wound care interventions. A diabetic, Laniel had half of his right foot amputated more than three years ago while living in Minneapolis. After, he lived in a nursing home in that area for nine months to help the wound heal. Unfortunately, much like Leas’ experience, he reported that his treatments only amounted to bandage changes. He was also allowed to walk while in the nursing home, which didn’t help the wound heal.

After Laniel moved to Crookston, Johnson made a Home Care visit to his residence at Nimens Espegard Apartments. After walking together to the laundry room, Laniel recalled Johnson informing him that for the wound to heal, he needed to stop walking on it. From there, Laniel began seeing her three times a week.

While treating Laniel, Johnson attended a wound conference and discussed his case with other wound care professionals. She came back with a plan. Laniel went into a total contact cast – the first patient at RiverView to wear one for wound care – and three months later, Laniel’s wound had healed.

“After two-and-a-half years of that wound being open, she’s the one who figured out how to heal it,’’ he said of Johnson. “That girl’s got a gift…I can’t say enough good things about her.”

“Who would have thought I’d move from Minneapolis to Crookston and find the help I needed? Hats off to Brittni. I’m so glad I met her.’’

Laniel no longer needs wound care services, but he does go to physical therapy at RiverView twice a week to work on his strength and balance. While he uses a wheelchair and walker, he is once again able to walk short distances.

Chronic Wound = Not Healing Properly in a Timely Matter

It’s estimated that 6.5 million people suffer from chronic wounds in the United States, according to the US National Institutes of Health. As the population ages, obesity rates increase, and diabetes cases climb, chronic wound cases are also expected to rise.

The impact of chronic wounds on the health and quality of life of those who suffer from them is immeasurable. Patients with chronic wounds may experience chronic pain, loss of function and mobility, increased social stress and isolation, depression and anxiety, prolonged hospitalization, increased financial burden, and increased morbidity and mortality.

Johnson is part of a team of providers and therapists who work to improve the lives of those suffering from chronic wounds.

“As a physical therapist, wound care is within my scope of practice and has always been a fascination of mine,’’ she shared. “RiverView has allowed me to take the reigns on providing wound care services to our community, both in Home Care and the outpatient setting.’’

If you are dealing with a chronic wound or have questions about wound management services available at RiverView, talk to your primary care provider or call Rehab Services at 281.9463.

Pictured above: Brittni Johnson and Stuart Laniel talk about the success of the wound care he received through her services at RiverView Health.

Below: Bobbie Leas delights at throwing away the walking boot from the total contact cast she no longer needs after successful treatment with Brittni Johnson, DPT.