Camden Clark podiatric surgeon uses advanced technology in reconstructive procedure to prevent loss of limb for local patient

A surgical team at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center recently performed an advanced foot reconstruction using a 3D-printed implant, restoring mobility for a 61-year-old patient and preventing a below-the-knee amputation.

Mid-Ohio Valley resident, Mark Meadows, values an active lifestyle. He lives and works on a farm in Calhoun County and came to Camden Clark facing a potentially life-altering outcome.

“When I came, I was prepared for the worst — losing a limb,” he said.

Meadows' care has been led by Christian Valle, DPM, a surgical podiatrist at WVU Medicine Camden Clark, who specializes in foot and ankle care and limb preservation.

Advanced foot and ankle reconstruction can be an option for patients facing severe wounds, infections, or instability that may otherwise lead to significant loss of mobility. These procedures are designed to preserve function, improve healing, and reduce long-term complications when appropriate.

“Podiatry is a field where we work on the foot and ankle — not only preventative care, but also the treatment of challenging cases,” Valle said. “When you’re faced with a patient who wants functionality of their limb, wants to preserve that limb, and wants to keep working, you have to think outside the box.”

Rather than proceeding directly to amputation, the team evaluated multiple treatment paths and moved forward with reconstruction utilizing a 3D-printed cage implant designed to emulate the internal bony structures of the foot and support long-term function.

“We have the skill sets here. We have the capabilities to manage advanced cases locally,” Valle said. “We’re getting this patient’s life back without the risk of a below-the-knee amputation.”

For Meadows, his goal during his reconstructive journey has been simple: return to his day-to-day life and get back to work on the farm.

“The only things I need to be able to do with my foot are to walk on it and push the clutch on my tractor,” Meadows said.

He added that receiving specialty care close to home brought peace of mind throughout the process and during his recovery.

“One of my biggest concerns was that I was going to have to go someplace else. I don’t want to go anywhere else,” he said. “I’m very satisfied with the whole procedure at WVU Medicine Camden Clark. It’s been phenomenal, and Dr. Valle has done an excellent job.”

WVU Medicine Camden Clark continues to expand access to specialized services across the Mid-Ohio Valley, offering advanced technologies and expertise that allow patients to stay close to home for advanced care. For more information about Podiatry services at Camden Clark, call 304-865-5500. 

Learn more about Mark's story here.