External Fixation Treatment in India

Pooja Shah, a 28-year-old elementary school...

Pooja Shah, a 28-year-old elementary school teacher and avid runner, was struck by a car while crossing the street on her way to work. She suffered a severe, open tibia-fibula fracture with significant bone displacement and soft tissue damage. The emergency room orthopedist explained that due to the contaminated nature of the open wound and the need to stabilize the complex fracture while allowing access for wound care, an external fixator was the best option. Pooja was terrified, especially when she saw the metal frame and pins protruding from her leg after surgery. The first weeks were challenging, dealing with pin site care, the weight and bulk of the frame, and the inability to bear weight. However, as the weeks turned into months, the fixator provided the stability needed for her bones to heal without infection. After three months, the frame was removed, and she transitioned to a cast and then intensive physiotherapy. Emotionally, she journeyed from shock and despair at the loss of her mobility and independence to a determined resilience. Seeing her bone healing progress on X-rays and eventually taking her first unaided steps filled her with profound gratitude and a hard-won sense of strength.