Israeli doctors saved a girl from leg amputation
Complications from a leg fracture that 26-year-old Amila from the Palestinian Authority suffered as a teenager threatened her with amputation. The last hope for the girl, whom doctors in her homeland could not help, became Israeli doctors. Relying on their extensive experience and access to the latest technologies, they performed a series of complex interventions, saving the young patient’s leg and freeing her from the threat of lifelong disability.
Amila arrived at the Israeli clinic from the city of Jenin, located in northern Palestine, with a diagnosis of "chronic recurrent osteomyelitis." This term refers to an inflammatory destructive disease of the bone and bone marrow caused by pathogenic bacteria. With a prolonged course, the purulent-necrotic process also affects the soft tissues surrounding the bone and can lead to changes in the structure of the bone tissue and deformities.
Amila's dangerous condition was a consequence of a leg fracture that occurred when she was just 14 years old, which local doctors treated incorrectly. The pathological process localized in the area of the foot and constantly reminded her of itself with pain that intensified with the slightest movement or pressure. The function of the limb was impaired; the girl could not only step on the injured leg – even passive movements became impossible for her. Moreover, the infectious process spread to the muscles of the foot, which began to die off.
By all indications, Amila had only one option – amputation; otherwise, there was a high risk of death. But the doctors understood that such an operation would make the young girl a lifelong invalid and reduce her chances of a full life. The most they could offer was subsequent prosthetics of the removed foot. The doctors decided on an alternative option.
They performed a series of unique interventions on the patient, which were complex in nature. During the first, they delicately removed the necrotic areas of soft tissue while preserving the integrity of the limb. Several more operations were needed to correct the serious deformity of the foot that prevented the girl from walking painlessly. After several months of recovery, Amila can once again step on her foot without feeling discomfort or unbearable pain – her foot has returned to its original shape.
“In the last six months, we have admitted five patients with a similar diagnosis,” says one of the leading specialists in orthopedics, Professor Mark Eidelman. “We performed similar surgeries on all of them, successfully addressing the problem and avoiding amputation.”
“These are extremely complex interventions,” continues the professor. “The problem is that in a leg where a purulent-destructive process is occurring, it is impossible to palpate the pulse, so surgeons have to operate almost by feel. But our specialists, who have years of experience and honed skills, and have the most advanced equipment and technologies at their disposal, successfully tackle this challenging task. Yes, it is difficult and risky, but we always strive to help, doing everything we can. And these efforts are rewarded by the amazing emotions you feel when you see a person who was recently unable to stand on their leg walking normally again.”