Pele Koljonen’s leg was amputated at the beginning of December. Now the former Veikkausliiga player tells how the terrible accident happened.
– When I was playing on MyPa, one day of filming I was stressed by cold sores. Now there is no need to stress about such things anymore, Pele Koljonen37, hoses the cameraman.
The former top futa player poses in the center of Kuopio. People’s heads turn in Koljonen’s direction, but no one would notice the cold sore now, because the attention is drawn to the other leg of his sweatpants. It is tied below the knee.
– People’s staring and talking is a bit disturbing, but I understand that especially children wonder about the missing leg.
Koljonen lost his right leg last December in a brutal way. Now he returns to the scene of the accident and tells what really happened.
“Everything crushed”
Pele Koljonen slipped on these steps of the Kuopio train station on December 4th. Matias Honkamaa
Koljosen has a serious expression as he looks at the stairs of the Kuopio train station. It was here that his life changed radically on December 4, 2025.
– Then it was the first slippery weather of winter. There was a little ice and snow on the stairs, Koljonen recalls the fateful day.
He was walking down the familiar stairs, when suddenly one of the walking sticks slipped from under him, and Koljonen hit his knee, which had been operated on in an artificial joint, on the sharp corner of the stone steps.
– There was a 17-centimeter-long wound on the leg, which was a couple of centimeters wide. There was a lot of blood, says Koljonen and points to the ground with his hand.
The pain was enormous, but the handsome man remained conscious. Passers-by arrived to help and tried to order an ambulance for Koljose, but it didn’t work. He pushed himself into a taxi with sticks and ordered the driver to drive to Kuopio University Hospital.
– I thought it would just be a wound to be stitched up. It didn’t even occur to me that it would be the moment when the leg leaves.
At the hospital, the seriousness of the situation was quickly revealed.
– Everything that was inside at that moment had been crushed by the leg.
“How do I look?”
Koljonen was lying in a hospital bed for a couple of days after the slip. Pele Koljonen
A couple of days after the slip, Koljonen was lying in a hospital bed. The right leg was amputated from the thigh down.
– I didn’t expect that when I went to KYS, but there really weren’t any other options.
Koljonen does not remember exactly what happened in the days after the accident.
– There was heavy pain medication and some kind of shock state, I guess, because those couple of days are quite dark. I remember bits and pieces here and there.
What did you think when the doctor told you that the leg had to be amputated?
– I didn’t really stress about how I would manage on one leg. I was more wondering how the leg would look after that. Would I look like a fool? Would I dare to go public? How quickly can I get a prosthesis?
Moving from the skull on one leg was not a concern, as he had been walking with crutches before the accident after a right knee replacement.
– The ability to walk is something we take for granted, but I haven’t had it since last March, so it wasn’t something I thought about.
The amputation news would have been more shocking if the leg had been fine, and it had been performed unexpectedly after, for example, a car accident.
– However, the leg had become inflamed so many times after the artificial joint surgery that the doctor thought it was more reasonable to amputate it.
Due to the continuous cycle of inflammation, Koljosen had already been hinted at the possibility of amputation earlier.
Phantom pains
Koljonen is a former Veikkausliiga-level soccer player. Matias Honkamaa
The amputation went well, but since then Koljonen’s leg has been infected again.
– My resistance is similar to that of Finnish skiers, Koljonen laughs.
The inflammation was cured with antibiotics. In addition, Koljonen has received help from painkillers for local pains, but in addition to them, he has had one devilish problem.
– Phantom pains. They came as a complete shock, and there is no treatment for them. Medicines don’t help them, Koljonen regrets.
In practice, he sometimes hurts his leg, which is no longer there.
– It’s quite painful when, for example, at night you’re hurting a foot that doesn’t exist. Can’t do anything. Can’t rub or scratch anything.
According to Koljonen, phantom pains are normal after amputation, when the nerves have not yet gotten used to the new situation.
“I have no regrets”
Koljonen presented the accident scene to Iltalehti at the end of February. Matias Honkamaa
Koljonen’s leg would probably never have had to be amputated if he had not undergone arthroplasty. He still doesn’t regret his decision to go for it.
– I would have gone for an artificial joint surgery, even if I had known better about all these risks. I waited a couple of years to get into it because the pain was so bad even when walking.
Infections after joint replacement surgery are by no means exceptional, but usually they can be controlled with antibiotics. According to Koljonen, he was not the victim of a treatment error, but for some reason the spiral of inflammation in the knee did not subside.
– Because of that, I spent several weeks in the hospital on an intravenous drip. There were probably three episodes.
The knee problems stem from a professional career that ended with injuries already in 2011.
– I had pretty bad cartilage damage from my playing career, but I still haven’t regretted playing football at all. I’ve been thinking more about where my career would have taken me if I hadn’t had to quit at the age of 22.
One reason for the knee problems could be the new game platform.
– Artificial grass is a really bad surface in the sense that it causes knee injuries. Football should be played on grass, Koljonen’s line.
An expensive prosthesis
This sight turned heads in the center of Kuopio. Matias Honkamaa
Despite all the adversities, Koljosen’s positivity shines through. He doesn’t seem bitter at all. The ex-gambler is also in a good mood.
– I just went to prosthetic design. I’m really excited about it. It may be that I will be able to practice walking in 2-3 weeks.
Koljonen has received other good news in recent days: inflammation values are finally at an excellent level. In addition, the doctor praised the strength of the stunted leg.
– The competitive sports background was reportedly visible. He said that thanks to it, I have much better conditions to learn to walk with a prosthesis.
Installing a prosthesis is not exactly a cheap pleasure.
– They cost 5,000–85,000 euros, Koljonen says.
Who pays for it?
– Yes, it will certainly go to the taxpayers. I would be willing to pay for it myself, but apparently it is not part of the protocol. Maybe those taxes have sometimes been paid precisely because such taxes can be compensated.
“No complaint”
Moving around with a wheelchair and canes is certainly a tough place for anyone, but especially for a former top player who is used to doing a lot of sports.
Compared to that, Koljonen is even confusingly good with his situation.
– He doesn’t complain at all. Even at home, Pele does the dishes and cooks normally, Koljonen’s helping spouse reveals.
In the hospital, Koljonen was a little afraid that a mental breakdown might come at the point when he goes home with one leg. However, it didn’t happen.
– And I don’t think it will happen again.
He has thought about seeing a psychologist, but so far has not felt the need for it.
– I have been able to express my feelings to my loved ones.
Kela rejected
The former top soccer player moves nimbly with walking sticks. Matias Honkamaa
Koljonen moves nimbly with sticks. He has also continued to coach futisjunnu in the local football club whenever he can.
– I didn’t get much precious metal from my career, but I gained good networks and learned from coaching jobs.
– I’ve still thought about retraining opportunities, because I don’t know if I’ll get a sickness pension or not. With Raksa, I may no longer be able to do the trick, Koljonen states.
The additional income would be useful, as expenses have increased with the amputation. For example, Koljonen has to order the biggest groceries home. Hospital rides also cost money, but the part-time coach’s income has remained unchanged.
– Kela just rejected the first disability support application, which seemed a bit strange. This bureaucracy is a bit difficult for yourself. I should find out about my rights, but of course I also have responsibilities.
Thanks to the family
The February sun is shining in the center of Kuopio. Koljonen is already looking forward to spring. Despite everything, he even seems grateful.
– Not everyone has such a support network. I want to thank my family for their support. Without them, I’d be pretty screwed. This situation of mine has perhaps even tightened our relationship.
The goalkeeper, who once played in the Finnish youth national team, has already undergone more than 30 operations during his life. One thing he has learned from them.
– I wouldn’t tell anyone not to go for, for example, joint replacement surgery, but before that you should be prepared and think about what might come of it, Koljonen advises.
After several setbacks, Koljonen no longer dreams of the moon in the sky. Instead, he knows how to rejoice in small, everyday things.
– My very first dream would be to be able to carry a cup of coffee at home without help.
A prosthesis is being planned for Koljonen’s leg. Matias Honkamaa
