Dave Gindl Story

October 24 of 1993 was a perfect Colorado Sunday, and Dave and his family had just finished a great family dinner when Dave’s sons Josh and Ben mentioned they had permission to ride they’re dirt bikes in the field behind the home they had just moved into that week. Of course what else was there to do but for the men to take off on they’re bikes to enjoy a late day ride. Dave was moving down the dirt track at about 40 mph when he hit a small dirt mound in front of a drainage ditch. The jump launched him some 40 feet through the air and when he realized he wouldn’t land well, Dave instinctively jumped off the bike landing on his feet. The problem with hitting the ground going that fast is that he broke both his ankles severely.

Dave had been riding for more then 20 years at the time of the accident so he knew he was hurt pretty bad.

His left foot was spun around and sitting behind where it should be going the wrong direction. Dave moved the foot back to where it should have been, and” it felt better, but still really hurt.”

He told Josh to go get his mother and call 911, he had to get to the hospital, fast.

He was taken to McKee Medical Center in Loveland where he was treated by Dr. Beard and Dr. McFerrin. They applied an external fixator on his left leg and casted his right. After surgery to put the pieces back together, the docs then went in to give Dave the news that he may never walk again. Before that news could be delivered though, Dave wanted to know how long before he could ride again? That kind of positive attitude has served him well, and when the left leg, after many surgeries still caused too much pain. He had to make the hard decision to amputate and get on with his life. For Dave it came down to a quality of life issue. Spend the rest of his life in pain and not able to do the thing he loved, or amputate and get on with life?

On July 7th of 2006, some 13 years after the accident Dave entered the hospital again to amputate below the knee. The Doctor performed the Erytl Procedure on Dave, and his “never say can’t” attitude kicked in again as he began the painful rehab.

He had met with the staff at Quorum before the surgery, but now he was a patient and Joe knew what Dave wanted to be able to do. Joe and Dave’s thoughts together were how bad do you want to do this stuff again, and for Dave, the answer was a strong, very bad.

Dave was fitted with the freedom Innovations Renegade foot. A foot known for its responsiveness and toughness. A few weeks after being fitted with his first socket, Dave thought it was as good a time as any to seal his driveway. Carrying around five gallon buckets of sealer all day seemed like a good test for a newly amputated man.

Just this past October, Dave returned from riding in Moab, an old family favorite where he rode his dirt bike with friends. His riding was off the charts, and Dave was told many times how well he was riding. I’m guessing though, you didn’t have to tell him that. He already knew.

Dave continues to thrive thanks in part to the team at Quorum Orthopedics. Joe’s attention to detail and drive to make every patient the best they can be helps us ALL reach to new heights.