"PROF. RICARDO SOUSA'S REALISTIC BUT HOPEFUL APPROACH GAVE ME SAFETY, STRUCTURE AND CONFIDENCE."

Testemunho: Anna Marie Paris
Patologia: Infection in a knee fracture

“After hospital stays, external fixators and seeing my leg bend the wrong way, Prof. Ricardo Sousa's realistic but hopeful approach gave me safety, structure and the confidence to believe in my recovery again.”

Following a severe leg fracture in 2024, Anna was hospitalised for several months. Between prolonged admissions, external fixators and a complete loss of independence, she was forced to leave hospital without being able to return home, ultimately being transferred to a rehabilitation unit in Porto. Despite daily physiotherapy, her clinical progress was unsatisfactory.

After removal of the fixators, worrying signs emerged: the tibia began to visibly deform. Her attending physician immediately recognised that something was wrong and referred her for a specialized second opinion. This led to her consultation with Professor Ricardo Sousa.

From the very first contact, his approach was clear, direct and profoundly reassuring. With an experienced eye, he immediately identified the seriousness of the situation: there was an active bone infection and an imminent risk of complications. The course of action was swift — investigations were carried out, the diagnosis confirmed, and urgent surgery scheduled.

The surgical intervention proved to be long and complex. Despite its complexity, everything went well. This decisive step marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Professor Ricardo remained closely involved throughout, personally checking the surgical wound, attending to every detail and ensuring that recovery was progressing as expected. A level of rigour, dedication and perfectionism that Anna recognises as rare and deeply humane.

Recovery was gradual and demanding. Beyond physical rehabilitation, a new awareness emerged regarding mental health, wellbeing and resilience. Each small improvement came to be celebrated as a victory. Today, she is physically active — she has returned to playing tennis and is already dreaming of running a half marathon.

Throughout the entire process, she felt supported, listened to and motivated, not only by Professor Ricardo Sousa, but by the entire multidisciplinary team, including physiotherapy, which played a vital role in both her physical and emotional recovery.

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