ALIVE & KICKING
Promising footballer loses right leg to bone cancer but miracle surgery means he’ll play again
FOOTBALL-DAFT bone cancer battler Robbie Readie is set to play again after life-saving amputation surgery turned his foot into a knee.
The 14-year-old is only the sixth person in the UK to have the gruelling, 13-hour op. His dad Robert said: “Robbie lives for football and has been a really talented player from the age of four. He is such a brave lad.”
A PROMISING teenage footballer battling a rare bone cancer has undergone life-saving surgery which will let him play the sport again. The complex procedure involved amputating part of Robbie Readie’s leg and turning his foot into a new knee. Robbie, 14, was only the sixth person in the UK to have the complex 13-hour procedure, known as rotationplasty. He had the upper part of his right leg removed and the lower limb spun 180 degrees to attach his knee to his hip, leaving his ankle pointing backwards. It means Robbie can retain flexibility in the knee while using a prosthetic limb – meaning he will be able to play football again. His dad Robert, 47, from Clydebank, said: “Robbie lives for football and has been a really talented player from the age of four. “He had trials with Rangers and Queen’s Park, so we were devastated to discover he’d have to lose a limb to save his life. “We wanted to give him the best chance possible and this
unique type of surgery was the best way for him to be cancer-free.
“He’s coped so well and is such a brave lad. He’s determined to play football again.”
Robbie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma after collapsing in pain while on a family day out.
He was rushed to hospital and doctors discovered a tumour on his right femur.
Robert and wife Avril, 37, were told their son would need to start immediate chemotherapy, lasting 12 months. But further tests showed the tumour had grown and doctors said amputation was Robbie’s only hope of survival.
Robert, who works as a property surveyor, said: “Robbie was always fit and healthy.
“He was out with Avril last July when he collapsed to the ground and started screaming in pain.
“He said his leg was sore and was taken to accident and emergency. An X-ray showed an abnormality on his femur.
“He was then transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for more tests. Days later, we were told the unthinkable – that Robbie had bone cancer and would need to start treatment straight away.
“We were stunned and couldn’t believe what we were hearing. We knew it would be the beginning of a long road.
“Chemo made him very ill and he lost his hair but he took it all in his stride.”
The heartbreaking diagnosis was the second tragedy to hit the family after Robbie’s younger brother Leighton passed away at just 16 weeks old.
The tot suffered from Fanconi
anaemia, an inherited blood disorder which causes leukaemia in children and requires a bone marrow transplant.
The family faced more anguish as Robbie’s tumour continued to grow and doctors offered the family two options for surgery.
One would have saved his leg but medics couldn’t guarantee they could fully remove the tumour.
The second option was the rotationplasty, carried out by an expert orthopaedic consultant who had previously performed the procedure in America.
Robert said: “It was lot to process. Robbie is a very mature lad and wanted to make the decision for himself.
“He took a week to think about it then said he wanted to go with rotationplasty. He wanted to make sure all of the cancer was gone completely.”
Before Robbie went under the knife, the Douglas Academy pupil received a visit from Rangers stars Ryan Jack and
Andy Halliday. Robert said: “He was chuffed to bits they took the time to visit. He has also been invited to meet Rangers boss Steven Gerrard and watch the squad train later this year.”
Robert admits the family were anxious before Robbie’s lifechanging procedure, carried out last October.
He added: “We were worried about how Robbie would adjust to life but he’s doing fantastic at physiotherapy. He’s a star and amazes us all.”
Robbie now has three weeks left until his final chemo session.
Robert added: “It’s been an emotional year for us all but Robbie is feeling good.”
Thanks to Amputee Football Association Scotland, Robbie hopes to soon be pulling on his boots again.
The charity aims to create opportunities for amputees and those with congenital limb differences to play football at grassroots, club and national level.
They are holding a football open day for amputees of all ages at Petershill Park, Glasgow, on Sunday, July 28 between 10am and noon.
For more info, visit amputeefootball scotland.co.uk