Esteylon's Story

Esteylon is a 13-year-old boy who received a below-knee amputation from the CAMTA team this year. The decision to amputate came after much thoughtful deliberation and discussion between the patient, his family and the CAMTA team. Esteylon was born with congenital amniotic constriction bands, meaning that membranous bands had constricted the neurovascular supply to his limbs when he was in the womb. As a result, he has a few missing fingers and had completely absent sensation in his left lower leg. This leg was also congenitally deformed, and years of walking around with no sensation to protect him from injury meant the Esteylon's foot had become ulcerated and chronically infected. It was this chronic infection, and the resulting risk to Esteylon's health, that necessitated the amputation. 

 

This particularly difficult case required great cultural sensitivity from our CAMTA surgeons, who worked together with Esteylon and his parents to devise a plan for after the surgery that would align with their beliefs and preferences. In the end, a funeral home came to collect the amputated limb and cremate it before returning the ashes to the family. It was a very emotional time, but Esteylon remained positive and is optimistic about his future. CAMTA is going to purchase a prosthetic limb for him and pay for its ongoing lengthening as he grows. Esteylon's dream is to use this device to become a Paralympic soccer player.