Brendan Naples Journey to Recovery

On Sunday, April 2 Brendan sustained a traumatic leg injury while skiing at Schweitzer with his family. Brendan, a field-going biologist and a musician (Brendan Kelty Trio) and his wife, Amy, a local registered nurse and super-mom are parents to three fun-loving kids and the whole family revels in the woods of North Idaho.

Brendan suffered excruciatingly painful, complex fractures to his right tibia, fibula, and tibial plateau (where the tibia & fibula combine into the lower knee joint) and had to be evacuated off the mountain by ski patrol, then down to Bonner General Hospital by ambulance. Specialists at Bonner General decided his break was too complex to be treated locally and sent him an hour south via ambulance to Kootenai Health to be treated by a trauma team. Extreme swelling in his leg resulted in compartment syndrome, a condition that deprives muscle tissue and nerves of oxygen and needed nourishment. As a result, surgeons have had to conduct 1 emergency fasciotomy surgery and 2 follow-up surgeries to reduce pressure and save muscle tissue, have installed a metal external fixator to support the leg, and have had to delay surgeries to fix bones.

He has been staying at the hospital in Coeur d’Alene and if all goes well, will receive surgery on Wednesday, April 12th to finally address the bone fractures. It will be a long, long road to recovery with hurdles ahead but they are optimistic about a successful recovery. 

Fortunately, Brendan and his family have health insurance that will cover a lot of the healthcare costs, but a high deductible, a multitude of prescription co-pays, occupational therapy equipment leasing, many physical therapy sessions, specialist follow-ups, and likely many more health expenses down the road will add up to a large financial burden.

Any donations would be greatly appreciated to help with these medical costs. In addition, there will be an opportunity to participate in a meal train if you want to help keep the family fed, as well as wood splitting/stacking parties to help keep the family warm.

Amy, the kids and Brendan’s sister are currently staying in a rented house in Coeur d’Alene to be close to Brendan. The kids will be back in Sandpoint next week with Amy’s sister so they can get back to the school routine. They are beyond appreciative of the support from their Sandpoint community, and from family and friends near and far, during the last few difficult days.