Health & Fitness
FL Teen Recovering From Leg Amputation Surgery Following Shark Attack
Addison Bethea, 17, of Perry was attacked by a shark last Thursday while scalloping off the coast of Keaton Beach, according to her family.
TALLAHASSEE, FL — A Florida teen is recovering in the hospital following surgery prompted by a recent shark attack.
According to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, surgeons successfully amputated Addison Bethea's right leg just above the knee Wednesday. The 17-year-old teen from Perry was attacked by a 9-foot-long shark last Thursday.
Her family said she was scalloping when she was attacked off the coast of Keaton Beach, about 80 miles southeast of Tallahassee. Her family said the shark attacked her several times until her brother was able to physically separate the shark from his sister.
Find out what's happening in Across Floridafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Hospital officials said she suffered serious injuries to her upper right leg, including the loss of her quadriceps, the four muscles in the front of the thigh that work together to keep the kneecap stable and allow for lower leg extension. The bite also caused massive nerve and vascular damage.
Since Bethea arrived, hospital officials said TMH surgeons have been working to save as much of her leg as possible and to optimize her long-term mobility.
Find out what's happening in Across Floridafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Surgeons said they were able to restore blood flow to Bethea’s lower leg by rebuilding the blood vessels. This procedure preserved the muscular tissue and skin of her lower leg, keeping it alive and making it possible to use this tissue in reconstruction.
“Saving the tissue of the lower leg was paramount in today’s surgery even being possible,” her dad, Shane Bethea, said in a news release. “The surgeons and the medical staff can’t get enough praise from us for the wonderful care of our baby girl. We are so thankful that she ended up here at TMH.”
Bethea has a long road to recovery that will require extensive rehabilitation, but her family said she is remaining strong and upbeat.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to help Bethea and her family. It is titled, “Medical Expenses for Addison Bethea, Shark Attack.”
Her family has also started a Facebook page, Fight Like Addison, where they will post periodic updates on her progress.
GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
