Another participant in the Bioengineering Rehabilitation for Wounded project is showing excellent results in the restoration of his wounded foot. A control examination shows the installed implants into the bones of the foot have survived, so over time Volodymyr will have a new heel. Despite all the predictions made by conventional medicine, despite unsuccessful treatment in Ukrainian and western hospitals and with the threat of amputation looming, the specialists at the iLaya clinic have managed to save him from complete disability. Money for the treatment – which amounts to about half-a-million UAH was via donations by the volunteers of The People’s Project.
Нога Володимира до початку лікування у рамках «Біотеху». Ні ходити, ні навіть ступити
Volodymyr was injured in the summer of 2015 during a combat mission, and reconnaissance at the front near Donetsk Airport, when he stepped on a mine. It was fortunate given a mine often blows a foot or leg off, that Volodymyr’s leg was only wounded. It was also fortunate military doctors coped well with the extent of his injuries. It was only later when he was gripped by infection in the bone that the consequences of being wounded worsened and doctors were forced to perform seven operations to remove fragments of gangrenous bone and eventually were able to overcome the infection. However, as a result, Volodymyr was left without a heel which, if left, would not grow back, and to insert an implant into the complex structure of the foot bones is simply beyond the realms of conventional medicine. Ukrainian and foreign doctors were unable to help and, in a German hospital, Volodymyr was given two options – either a non-operational foot or amputation and a subsequent prosthetic.
Ліворуч – знімок до операції. Праворуч – знімок після встановлення нової кістки
A decisive role in his fate was played by Odesa volunteer Olha Dombrovskaya who pointed Volodymyr in the direction of the Bioengineering Rehabilitation for Wounded project. People’s Project volunteers subsequently collected more than half-a-million UAH for his treatment. In May, doctors at the Kyiv-based iLaya Medical Company sampled bone material from Volodymyr and completed preparatory plastic surgery. By August they had cultivated the required bone fragment and implanted it into his foot. Now, two months later, X-rays show the new bone has survived. To date, Volodymyr’s leg is already in much better shape.
Нога після встановлення кісткового фрагменту та пластичної операції
The full course of treatment is yet to be completed, doctors have to wait until the new bone takes hold. Immediately after that Volodymer will undergo reconstructive plastic surgery to restore connection between the new bone and the tendons of the foot and ankle. Only then will full function be restored to the leg and foot.
Volodymyr’s injury
Unfortunately, this type of treatment is out of the reach of a significant number of wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine’s government does not fund biotech treatment, and the cost id prohibitive to most families. To save these guys from disablity you can donate to the project Bioengineering Rehabilitation for Wounded to give wounded Ukrainian defenders a chance to return to a normal life.
