A Second Chance to Stand

After years of surgeries, hospital stays and painful setbacks, Patrick Barnes says he is finally back to doing the little things that make life feel full again — getting out of bed, enjoying dinner outings with his wife and building Lego creations at home.

"I’m mobile again," he said with a smile. "I can get up, get into my chair and go live life like it should be lived."

Barnes’ renewed independence is the result of an extraordinary medical journey that brought him to Julie Shaner, MD, an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery for the College of Medicine – Jacksonville and director of the adult reconstructive orthopaedic surgery division at UF Health Jacksonville. Her skill and compassion, he said, not only restored his hip but also saved his life.

A Long Road to Healing

Barnes’ story began in 1993 when a car accident dislocated his right hip. Throughout the years, he developed avascular necrosis, a condition where bone tissue dies due to a loss of blood supply, requiring a hip replacement in 2010 and revision surgery in 2018. Then, in October 2023, while maneuvering his wheelchair up a ramp during a rainstorm, Barnes slipped and ruptured the iliotibial band, or IT band, on his right hip.

The IT band is a thick band of tissue that runs along the outside of the thigh, connecting the hip to the knee. It helps keep the hip and knee stable and supports smooth movement when walking or running. What followed was a dangerous cascade of infections and complications.

By late December 2024, Barnes was critically ill with a staph infection, diabetic ketoacidosis, carbon monoxide poisoning and sepsis. He was rushed to UF Health North, where doctors stabilized him before transferring him to UF Health Jacksonville for advanced care.

“A 50/50 Chance”

When Shaner first met Barnes, she saw a man determined to fight for his health despite overwhelming odds. Although his previous care and surgeries were done through other health systems, UF Health Jacksonville was ready and prepared to treat Barnes.

UF Health Jacksonville is the area’s premier academic health system, offering advanced education, research and leading-edge technologies.

“Mr. Barnes is a member of a growing local community desperately seeking help after other surgeons could no longer manage his condition,” she said. “He was diagnosed with a chronic right hip prosthetic joint infection.”

The first stage of surgery required removing the infected hardware and inserting an antibiotic spacer, a temporary implant designed to deliver medication directly into the joint. Barnes spent weeks on intravenous antibiotics through a special IV line in his arm before returning for a second surgery to reconstruct his right hip.

“On June 25, 2025, it was a 50/50 chance whether I’d wake up with a hip or not,” Barnes recalled. “But by the grace of God, I woke up with my hip.”

Restoring Strength and Independence

Following surgery, Barnes completed physical therapy at UF Health Jacksonville’s Transitional Care Unit, where therapists helped him regain mobility and independence.

“They taught me how to get out of bed, transfer to my wheelchair and strengthen my leg,” Barnes said. “They went above and beyond their jobs.”

Because Barnes relies on his right leg for mobility, having lost his left leg above the knee years earlier, the surgical outcome was especially significant.

“It was absolutely paramount to reconstruct his right hip in a way that was mechanically functional,” Shaner said. “That stability allows him to continue transferring independently into and out of his wheelchair.”

Faith, Gratitude and A New Beginning

Throughout his recovery, Barnes leaned on his faith, family and care team. He vividly remembers praying with Shaner before his surgery, a moment that reinforced the compassion and humanity behind his medical care.

“She’s not just a doctor; she’s a blessing,” Barnes said. “She and her team truly cared.”

Today, Barnes says he feels blessed for a second chance at life. He enjoys spending time with his wife, attending church and caring for their cats and dogs.

“I’ve spent more time in hospitals than at home,” Barnes said. “But now, I’m finally home and grateful for every day.”

Our board-certified specialists in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at UF Health Jacksonville are dedicated to restoring mobility, independence and quality of life for every patient. Visit UFHealthJax.org/ortho to learn more about orthopaedic care or call (904) 383-1010 to schedule an appointment.