PBS science correspondent Miles O'Brien says his left arm was amputated above the elbow after an apparently minor injury turned serious.

In a blog post posted Tuesday and verified by PBS, O'Brien recounts the Feb. 12 injury that occurred while he was on assignment in Asia and how it progressed to a life-threatening stage.

O'Brien says he was diagnosed with "acute compartment syndrome," in which blocked blood flow in the body can cause serious consequences.

His doctor suggested an emergency procedure, called a fasciotomy, to relieve the pressure. During the procedure, O'Brien was unconscious but says there were complications during the procedure and the doctor had to make the choice to amputate his arm just above the elbow.

The PBS reporter says his doctor told him removing part of the arm was a choice between "a life and a limb." He says he's grateful to be alive.

"Life is all about playing the hand that is dealt you," he writes. "Actually, I would love somebody to deal me another hand right about now – in more ways than one."

PBS spokeswoman Anne Bell says O'Brien has continued working, despite the ordeal.