Judith Smith Oglesby led a whirlwind life. Her professional career as a writer and communications consultant kept her hopping while managing her business. Social events Judith was actively involved in civic affairs in her home town of Dallas--politics, the arts (symphony, opera, theater) and her 5,000-plus member church, where she was an officer. She also sang with choral groups, was a soloist herself and even played the piano.

On April 23, 2003, a driver lost control of his SUV and spiraled out of control, hitting Judith and her business partner, who were calling on a client. The collision was forceful--airbags deployed, the engine was thrust into the passenger/driver compartment, and Judith and her partner suffered serious injuries. Judith's life changed when her right foot was shattered in the accident.

Judith's orthopaedic surgeon worked hard to help her recover. He put her shattered right foot together using a calcaneus plate--a special device used with calcaneus (heel bone) fractures to hold the bone in place and help it fuse properly. At the time of Judith's accident, this device had been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a mere six months. Judith then spent six months recovering in a wheelchair.

Her previous vigorous schedule was replaced by numerous surgeries, cast changes and water therapy. Two hours of each day were devoted simply to dressing and getting a cab. Judith describes the pain, lack of mobility and dependency on others for basic needs as her initial challenges. The isolation for Judith, an extreme extrovert, was especially difficult. She says, "Grocery shopping became a social outing."

Over the next 20 months Judith progressed from her wheelchair to a walker, then to crutches, a cane, and eventually to not needing an aid. The deeper healing--aided by the use of the plate--has restored her muscles, joints and nerves, allowing her to walk with a slightly improved gait. The nerve damage in Judith's big toe quadrant is still painful and lymphedema (excessive accumulation of fluids) in her foot and ankle are ongoing. In some ways, however, Judith was lucky; many people who suffer from this type of injury require amputation.

Judith is hopeful that she will heal 100 percent in due time. Although she has resumed most of her previous activities, she still has limitations. She does not climb, hike, ski, run or take long walks. She does find that weekly exercise is a great help. Judith says, "Rehab following successful orthopaedic surgery gave me back my life."

Judith is finally back in the driver's seat, literally, and considering new business opportunities.

The calcaneus plate designed at the University of Texas Southwestern (UTS) in Dallas was developed with the aid of an orthopaedic research grant from the National Institutes of Health. Future research to modify this device as well as research on the related nerve damage or lymphedema that often occurs with this type of injury are vitally needed to help patients recover more quickly and without the loss of limb.