This is the story of 6 year old Master Aslam whose father being a primary school teacher has spent his life educating and empowering small children in the poverty and illiteracy struck African country of Sudan. But unfortunately his only son was crippled by a deformity that had resulted from an infection to his leg at the tender age of 1 year. As a result of which, Aslam could never walk normally. He was often bullied by children and tabooed by the society.

Ray of Hope:

His father happened to interact with a fellow Sudanese man whose son had been treated for a similar crippling deformity of hand at MIOT. With great hopes his father landed on the shores of Chennai accompanying his son with a desire to rehabilitate his son into this “judgemental world”.

Diagnosis at MIOT:

Once he arrived at MIOT, he was thoroughly examined and evaluated by state of the art radiological arsenal. It was found that one of his leg bones had been largely eaten up by the infection resulting in a deformity which had been, and would be hindering not only his physical growth but also mental and social wellbeing. His father also briefed about the nature and progress of the infection related events that Aslam’s limb went through since the age of one year.

Treatment planned:

Such a long standing and severe condition required a Herculean effort. After thoroughly discussing the nature of the treatment with his father, Aslam and the doctors started on a journey for the “RECONSTRUCTION” of his limb which would continue for the next few months but would result in smiling faces forever. Only few Orthopaedic surgeons across the country are familiar with the precise application and exploitation of a 5 decade old complicated limb reconstruction technique.

Treatment done:

The surgery was performed on him where a metallic reconstruct consisting of multiple rings and rods, attached to the deformed leg after straightening it. Though the crookedness of the leg was corrected in a single step, the limb was considerably shorter than the opposite one and had no bony anchor.

Via a technique called as “SEGMENTAL TRANSPORT OF BONE”, new leg bone was created that not only filled up the existing bony void but also lengthened the short leg. Over the next three months the bent and crooked leg was transformed into what was un -differentiable from the normal leg.

Recovery:

He was discharged 15days post surgery. As the reconstructed leg grew its strength back after rigorous physiotherapy regimen, Aslam started not only walking but also running, jumping and playing around with his friends. After 8 months of treatment, we bid adieu a happy and satisfied Mohammed family.

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