Ahmedabad: Civil Hospital surgeons mend 11-year-old’s broken neck

AHMEDABAD: Eleven-year-old Lakshmi, a resident of Vatva, was playing at her school in March. A small accident brought along major consequences. When she could not move her neck, experts suggested thorough tests, and the results showed that her third disc in the neck had been severely damaged.
“She already had the condition known as cervical kyphosis because of which a person cannot straighten his/her neck,” said Dr J P Modi, the superintendent of Civil Hospital, adding that it’s an unusual condition in a child. “The accident caused her neck to fall on one side and also caused neurological damage,” Modi said. “She had lost control over her motions and movement of hands and legs.”
Lakshmi, the daughter of a loading autorickshaw driver, was admitted to Civil Hospital, but the lockdown increased the time frame of the treatment. Eventually, a halo-vest was constructed specially for her and a series of procedures involving orthopaedic and neurosurgeons ensured that she recovers from the condition. The contraption ensures that the patient doesn’t move the neck much, helping in the healing procedure.
Two surgeries were also performed on her. “A bone from her leg was used to create a bracket for her neck,” said a surgeon.
“Earlier, her neck could bend as much as 45 degrees. But the process would ensure that she can lead a life with her head held high,” said Dr M M Prabhakar, OSD at Medicity. “As she also has heart ailment, she has been admitted to UN Mehta Heart Hospital where she is recuperating.”