NFL Player Fighting to Keep His Foot

New York Giants tight end Daniel Fells remains in a New York hospital in serious condition following the discovery of a severe infection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in his ankle.

MRSA, a bacterium resistant to many antibiotics, often results in skin infections in most community cases of infection. When infection occurs in a medical facility, the bacterium often triggers fatal bloodstream, pneumonia, and surgical site infections.

After suffering a toe and ankle injury, Fells received a cortisone shot nearly two weeks ago. But, following an emergency room trip for his persistent ankle and foot pain and sudden 104-degree temperature, doctors officially diagnosed him with MRSA.

The physicians are now more optimistic Fells won’t lose his foot, while just two days ago doctors were concerned they would have to amputate to halt the spread of infection.

“The more urgent fear is that the MRSA has gotten into the bone and that it could travel into his blood. That could have the gravest of consequences.”

Fell has undergone five surgical procedures thus far — partly to scrape the infection out of the bone, inevitably resulting in some bone loss. However, Fells reportedly has been responding well to the current course of antibiotic beads packed into his foot and IV antibiotics.

Fells has been placed on season-ending injured reserve by the Giants since Monday.

Rich Besser, MD, ABC News’ Chief Health and Medical Editor, remarked on Good Morning America, “When you look at contact sports, there’s lots of opportunities out there for cuts and scrapes and lots of chances to share germs, on the field and off.”

“In a locker room or gym, if you’re sharing any towels or razors…even lifting weights, you can come into contact with bacteria from somebody else,” continued Besser.

In the wake of Fell’s diagnosis, the Giants have met with infectious disease specialists and had their facilities — training and meeting rooms – scrubbed and sanitized.