'It Was a Miracle': Algerian Escapes Amputation Thanks to Russian Doctors

Abdelkader's journey began four years ago when a car accident ended his "peaceful and pleasant" life.

"My life was completely turned upside down, as I discovered at the Algiers military hospital, where I was admitted, that a part of almost 12 centimeters of the tibia of my left leg had crumbled due to [...] the accident in addition to a double fracture," he recalled.

His condition became even worse when a stubborn infection developed in the wound and doctors couldn't stop it.

In Search of an Effective Treatment

Between 2019 and 2023, Abdelkader was under observation at the Algiers military hospital and underwent several operations. By his own admission, he was not satisfied with the results of his treatment. He was then transferred to Brussels, but the plan proposed there did not meet his expectations.

"I was disappointed because of the therapeutic protocols that were offered to me, exactly the same as in Algeria; the results were not conclusive," he admitted.

Faced with this observation, he chose not to stay in Belgium and returned to his country. He then had the idea to seek help in Russia.

"I spent my days communicating with many foreign doctors via the internet, notably Egyptian, Jordanian and Saudi ones. No fewer than 35 specialists, to whom I explained my case, recommended the Ilizarov center in Kurgan city in Russia. The 35 specialists were all unanimous: the Ilizarov center is the best hospital in the world able to treat this kind of problem," Abdelkader said.

The Algerian contacted the center and the Russian specialists told him about their technique and its results. Unlike their European and Algerian colleagues, who recommended transplantation, the Russian doctors resorted to self-reconstruction. This involves using healthy parts of the bone to restore the damaged area.

An Unusual Situation

In addition to a multiple fracture, Abdelkader's case was aggravated by the presence of an infection.

"During treatment, he was confronted with an unusual situation. In fact, complications appeared during the treatment. In particular, purulent complications. They were linked to non-union and inflammation. In such cases, not all hospitals accept patients," Sergey Burnashov, head of the purulent orthopedics-traumatology department at the Ilizarov Center, explained.

The doctor went on to describe in detail the method by which the specialists of the Ilizarov Center heal their patients.

"We use the Ilizarov device to treat these purulent complications. It allows extrafocal osteosynthesis, in other words, one that does not affect the purulent site of infection," Burnashov added.

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Treatment at the Ilizarov Center

On May 27 of last year, Abdelkader arrived in Kurgan, a city near the Russian border with Kazakhstan, and was admitted to the Ilizarov Center before undergoing surgery. The effect of these operations was extraordinary.

"Three days later, I was able to stand up for the first time in four years – during which I only moved while lying on a rolling bed – which was a miracle for me, especially since the Russian doctors saved me from an inevitable amputation of my leg because of the infection that doctors in Algeria were unable to cure," Abdelkader explained.

Due to the complexity of Abdelkader's case, the treatment took place in several stages.

"First, the infection was treated, and the dead tissue was removed. Then we joined the ends of the fragments, fixation for the thigh was carried out with the Ilizarov apparatus. As for the tibia, the lesion was quite large. We waited for the wound to heal, then we performed an osteotomy and we gradually replaced the tibial lesion. It measured between six and seven centimeters," Doctor Bournachov guided Sputnik Africa through the treatment.

Restoring All Functions

Not only was the threat of amputation averted, but the patient was also able to regain full functions.

"Currently, I have returned to a normal life after recovering almost 95% of the health of the bone in my leg which continues to get stronger and stronger," Abdelkader concluded.

Dr. Bournachov clarified that all the fragments of the broken bone have been reassembled and that they will have to wait a few months for them to come together again.

Abdelkader will have to return to the Ilizarov Center in April for a check-up and possible removal of the device from his leg. Abdelkader said he is very "confident and optimistic."

He is particularly pleased to learn that the same treatment will be available in his country in the future: "I learned that Algerian doctors are in training for a period of five years, with the aim of mastering the technique and set up services capable of applying it in Algeria," the Algerian shared the good news.