UNC Basketball Player: Diabetic Foot Amputation?

The Asheville Citizen just reported that UNC Asheville basketball player Kenny George has been released from the hospital after having a foot amputation. Although the patient and his parents have declined comment, is suspected that this was a similar episode was expected with diabetes and amputations.

What we do know is that the 7-foot-9, 375-pound center had to have part of his right foot amputated earlier this year. As part of that treatment he also spent three months in the hospital. The reason for such a prolonged hospitalization and amputation was that he contracted MRSA.

MRSA (or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), is a type of bacterial infection, which is resistant to many antibiotics. This is now a much feared complication of hospitalization and surgery performed in hospitals throughout the United States. About 10 years ago, the vast majority of these infections were contracted while patients were in the hospital. Today these infections are growing more and more common. In some communities 85% of all skin and soft tissue structure infections involve the drug-resistant bacteria.

Because these bacteria have become more resistant to most of the antibiotics that are taken by mouth, it is often necessary for a patient to be hospitalized in order to treat the infection. These intravenous (I.V.) antibiotics are typically very expensive. Often times the antibiotics can cost $1000 per day. If these infections move into the bone, surgery and up to six weeks of antibiotics can be necessary.

In diabetics, the only effective way to reliably treat these infections is through amputation of the foot. Diabetes substantially reduces a person’s ability to fight off one of these infections. MRSA infections are much more common in people with diabetes. Recent research has shown that about 70% of all amputation to related to diabetes. Although it is not clear that this basketball player is diabetic, it is certainly unusual for a non-diabetic patient to end up with a sort of problem particularly at a young age.

At the end of November, the patient was released from the hospital and is at home recovering. It is hoped that the infection has now been completely cleared.


Dr. Christopher Segler is an author, inventor and award winning diabetic foot doctor. After discovering how amputations resulted from a failing health care system, it became his passion to teach strategies to stop diabetic amputation. If you have diabetes, you can learn more by requesting your FREE report “No Leg Left To Stand On: The Secrets Insurance Companies Don’t Want You To Know About Diabetic Foot Amputation” at http://www.ineedmyfeet.com.