The first patient in the history of Ukraine with bone-implanted prostheses drives, plays sports and volunteers
Last year, orthopedic traumatologists at the UNBROKEN National Rehabilitation Center performed osteointegration (intraosseous) prosthetics of the lower extremities for the first time in Ukraine. The patient, 57-year-old Armed Forces captain Ihor Krupnov, who lost both legs in the war, had prostheses implanted directly into the bones. Now the defender is leading an active lifestyle and fulfilling his dreams.
First, doctors surgically installed metal implants, and then, six weeks after the operation, prosthetists fitted the pipes and feet to them. It was not easy for the patient to agree to the operation, which had never been performed in Ukraine.
“I didn’t know what was going to happen. Both I and the doctors took risks. But they operated. I think it was the right step. I have not regretted a single day since then,” says Igor Krupnov.
Now Igor leads an active lifestyle – he drives, plays sports, volunteers and fulfills his dreams. He has recently returned from the United States, where he walked the streets of Los Angeles on his own two feet.
“Osteo-integration prosthetics is the latest technology that is being successfully applied in the world. This is a new opportunity for people who have lost their limbs, and the medical system is obliged to provide these opportunities – especially to those who lose their health while defending the state. I am very glad that we at the NESLAMNI Center managed to apply this methodology,” said Oleh Samchuk, CEO of the First Medical Association of Lviv.
At the same time, doctors emphasize that osseointegration has a number of exceptions and contraindications. Therefore, the decision on prosthetics is made exclusively by a multidisciplinary team, based on the patient’s indications and goals.
As a reminder, Ihor Krupnov is a defender who voluntarily came to the defense of our country and lost both legs in the war. It happened in the late fall of 2022. His car hit a mine. We previously told you about Ihor Krupnov’s story here.
For reference.
The UNBROKEN National Rehabilitation Center is a unique place where adults and children affected by war receive comprehensive, qualified medical care. The center operates on the basis of the First Medical Association of Lviv, the largest medical institution in Ukraine, which includes two adult hospitals and one children’s hospital.
The areas of work include reconstructive surgery, burn treatment, orthopedics, prosthetics, physical and psychological rehabilitation. It has its own prosthetic workshop. And in April 2022, a new rehabilitation building was opened here: it has seven floors with comfortable wards, rehabilitation rooms, state-of-the-art equipment, and a swimming pool. All this is for the best possible recovery of the wounded, as the center’s mission is to save, prosthetics and rehabilitate Ukrainians in Ukraine.