Blackfoot woman saved by new rib plating surgical procedure at PMC

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Story Published: Nov 12, 2009 at 6:57 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 12, 2009 at 8:17 PM MDT

By Wes Horrocks

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POCATELLO - Doctors at Portneuf Medical Center are praising the success of a new surgical procedure they used following a Blackfoot woman's traumatic accident.

The new rib plating treatment has never been done in Southeast Idaho before.

But without the technology Cheryl Simper would not be walking today.

If you watch Simper on her daily walk you would never know that about six weeks ago she was clinging to life.

On September 28 she was training a new horse, when it bucked her off and crushed her. Cheryl Simper said, "I remember the EMT's coming, and that's about it."

She arrived at Portneuf Medical Center with 24 fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, and a punctured lung. "Like a puzzle," said Simper.

One doctor felt she would only live a few days, but thanks to small titanium devices Simper is doing remarkably well. Dr. Kurt Birkenhagen, PMC General Surgeon said, "She would've died without those plates."

Simper said, "I try and walk twice a day, and I try to do my dishes, do laundry, just to keep my muscles working and to get them back into shape."

The trick is that the plates allow ribs to stay flexible.

And that helps to speed up the healing process, and make almost pain free. Birkenhagen said, "If we didn't have it (Simper) would've ended up being a pulmonary cripple, meaning trying to get through the day would have been impossible for her."

Simper's healthy lungs, and lack of underlying diseases are also to thank for her recovery. Simper said, "If I stop and think about it it gets kind of scary, because it was a life threatening injury. And if (PMC)hadn't had the technology they have now with these titanium plates I might still be in the hospital if I was even still here."

Simper does plan to get back on her horses next Spring, but not the one that almost took her life. "I just am so thankful for the doctors (at PMC), and for their knowledge," said Simper.

This rib plating has only been available for a few years.

Doctors at PMC were trained on the new technology just a few weeks before Simper's accident.

After seeing its success the procedure will likely become more common.

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