A baby from Kherson, who lost her leg, has been undergoing rehabilitation for 10 months at the Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialized Hospital.
In early May last year, a Russian shell hit the house where little Marina was. Doctors from Krivoy Rog saved the child’s life, but were forced to amputate his leg above the knee. Long-term treatment in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, as well as physical and psychological rehabilitation of a 6-year-old girl took place in the Okhmatdet National Clinical Hospital. This is reported by the medical institution on Facebook.
After being admitted to the hospital, Marina was lying almost all the time: occasionally she sat on the bed, but she could not move without the help of strangers. Prosthetics were necessary!
6-year-old Marina from Kherson
Photo: NDSL Okhmatdyt
“The main tasks before prosthetics are to strengthen the muscles, prepare the leg for prosthetics, teach the child to keep coordination on one leg and move freely in space,” said Nazar Boroznyuk, a physical therapist at Okhmatdet NSCL.
Specialists prepare Marina for prosthetics
Photo: NDSL Okhmatdyt
In addition, a psychologist has been working with Marina and her relatives since the first day at Okhmatdet. Classes with a specialist also include art therapy. “This provides a reduction in the level of anxiety,” explains psychologist Tatyana Akhmatova.
Marina’s first prosthesis
Photo: NDSL Okhmatdyt
A girl who suffered from Russia’s war against Ukraine became the first child to receive prosthetics in Ukraine. According to the parents, it was important for them to get Marina’s prostheses in their native country in order to avoid difficult flights and be able to receive regular help from a rehabilitation and prosthetist.
The prosthesis for the girl was made in Kyiv. Prosthetist Oleksandr Stetsenko says this is the first prosthesis he has made for a child. It is worth noting that children’s prosthetics are much more complicated than an adult’s.
Making a child prosthesis for Marina
Photo: NDSL Okhmatdyt
Now Marina’s prosthesis has been improved and made cosmetic – similar to a real leg.
“This will help Marina overcome psychological fear and socialize among her peers. The hospital team continues to work with Marina and her family and wishes them good health,” the Okhmatdet NSSB says.
Marina with a team of doctors at the Children’s Hospital
Photo: NDSL Okhmatdyt
Marina with a new cosmetic prosthesis
Photo: NDSL Okhmatdyt
Focus wrote that the bionic prosthetic hand, developed by the Ukrainian startup Esper Bionics, was included in the ranking of the best inventions of 2022 according to the American magazine Time.
