Man able to walk again thanks to surgeon at McLaren Macomb hospital

MT. CLEMENS, Mich. – A Macomb County man who suffered a bad leg injury in January 2015 is thanking an orthopedic surgeon at McLaren Macomb Hospital for helping him walk again.

Bruce Higbee was a truck driver, and the incident happened during a delivery when he slipped on ice. A bone in his leg ended up snapping and he was rushed to a hospital for immediate surgery.

The surgery did not go well, and he had to have another immediate surgery that led to an infection.

Higbee was scheduled for amputation at McLaren Macomb Hospital, but Dr. Jeffrey Balazsy, an orthopedic surgeon, called him at 1 a.m. with an idea to save his leg. Balazsy mentioned Higbee getting an external fixator on his leg to strengthen the bone.

Higbee said the surgery went well and after being unable to walk for 17 months, he started physical therapy and is now walking again.

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About the Author:

Koco joined the Local 4 News team in September of 2016. She was born and raised in Metro Detroit, attended Central Michigan University, and previously worked at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.