22-yr-old walks again after 11 years
Undergoes several surgeries after consultations on key challenges
A 22-year-old man, who had been crippled after an accident 11 years ago, started walking on his own again after a series of surgeries at a city hospital. Gaurav Sharma had met with a major accident in January 2005 when he was going to attend a family function in UP.
Gaurav, then 11-year-old, saw his uncle and cousin die in front of him and later, he also lost his mother while he was in the ICU. Mentally and physically traumatised, he went through eight surgeries in the initial years which left him with a crutch, a fused hip and short left leg.
Gaurav, who had to live through his physical condition till the age of 21, finally got in touch with a joint reconstruction and replacement surgeon of a leading private hospital. After series of consultations, he had to undergo several surgeries before he could move.
The key challenge before the doctors was how to remove a nail from his thigh bone which was preventing the placement of hip prosthesis. And this too had to be taken out first through the knee joint from where it was put earlier.
Not only this, extensively scarred tissues following the accident and multiple surgeries presented the possibility of a sound breeding ground for infection. Muscles around his hip joint were also scarred and atrophied due to multiple surgeries and disuse. This made his prosthetic hip unstable and more prone to dislocation.
Doctors say that in young patients, joint replacements don’t last for life as the wear out rate is quite high due to high level of activities.
Finally, on May 5 last year, Gaurav underwent his first surgery. His final surgery was on September 9, following which he was completely able to walk without support.
“His post-op procedure went as planned and the patient was allowed full weight bearing from day one. All investigations are normal post six months after surgery. Today, Gaurav walks unaided but with a slight limp. He is undergoing physiotherapy to increase his muscle strength,” said Dr Dhananjay Gupta, who conducted the surgery.
Gaurav Sharma had met with a major accident in January 2005 when he was going to attend a family function in Uttar Pradesh
Mentally and physically traumatised, he went through eight surgeries in the initial years which left him with a crutch, a fused hip and short left leg