Alicia Ortstad
Photo by Reach Publishing Services Limited/PA

Teen’s Knee Pain Leads to Shocking Cancer Diagnosis and Life-Changing Amputation

Alicia Ortstad, a 19-year-old student from Uppsala, Sweden, had her life turned upside down when persistent knee pain turned out to be osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. Despite initial dismissals from doctors, Alicia’s determination to find answers led to a devastating diagnosis and the amputation of her left leg in January 2024.

The ordeal began in summer 2023, when Alicia first noticed pain in her knee but “thought nothing” of it. By late August, her leg had swollen dramatically, making it impossible to bear weight. “Now that I look back, there are many signs that I completely ignored that I now know were indications that something was wrong with me,” Alicia shared with PA Real Life, reported by Yahoo.

Doctors initially attributed her symptoms to overuse and prescribed painkillers and rest. However, her condition worsened, and Alicia’s requests for an MRI were repeatedly dismissed. She received cortisone shots, typically used for sports injuries, but they provided no relief. Her symptoms escalated to severe fatigue, frequent colds, and difficulty concentrating in class.

By December 2023, an MRI finally confirmed osteosarcoma. The only option to prevent the cancer from spreading was an amputation. “I was in complete shock,” Alicia said. “I never thought it would come to this. I kept thinking it was something simple, not cancer.”

Alicia underwent surgery in January 2024, supported by her boyfriend, Simon Pettersson, who is also an osteosarcoma amputee. “After the amputation, it was a huge change. The first week was the worst,” she recalled, describing the unbearable pain, including phantom limb sensations. Despite her challenges, Alicia quickly began adapting to life with a prosthetic limb and even returned to horseback riding, one of her passions.

Her battle didn’t end there. A week after surgery, Alicia underwent another operation to remove a metastasis in her lungs, further delaying her recovery. Despite these setbacks, she persevered and graduated in June 2024.

Alicia now advocates for early diagnosis and awareness of osteosarcoma symptoms, urging patients and doctors to take persistent pain seriously. “I wish that people educated themselves more about the symptoms, especially the pain while resting, since it’s very common for osteosarcoma,” she said.

Reflecting on her journey, Alicia remains determined not to let her trauma define her and hopes her story will inspire others to seek help early and stay resilient in the face of adversity.

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