New Delhi, Feb 27: In a remarkable medical feat, nine-year-old Afrin, who had been struggling with a rare bowleg deformity since birth, took her first independent steps after undergoing a complex surgery at a private hospital in the city.
Afrin was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) with congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia, a condition that severely affected her mobility. Despite undergoing surgery at the age of six, her condition persisted, making basic movements an immense challenge, according to Dr. Vikram Khanna, Senior Consultant in Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement at Aakash Healthcare.
“The biggest challenge was that her bones did not heal together as expected. Even if we managed to treat her, the risk of refracture remained extremely high,” he said.
Traditional surgical methods such as bone plating and grafting were ruled out due to the complexity of her condition. Instead, the medical team devised a specialized multi-step surgical approach to enhance her recovery prospects.
“We are all very happy she can walk for the first time,” said Perween, adding that the family hopes Afrin will become a doctor one day so she can help others in need.
Afrin’s successful treatment marks a significant milestone in orthopedic advancements and gives hope to many suffering from rare bone disorders.
Afrin was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) with congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia, a condition that severely affected her mobility. Despite undergoing surgery at the age of six, her condition persisted, making basic movements an immense challenge, according to Dr. Vikram Khanna, Senior Consultant in Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement at Aakash Healthcare.
A Complex Medical Challenge
Dr. Khanna explained that the primary issue was non-union of bones, meaning they failed to fuse properly post-surgery. Moreover, Afrin had thin bone marrow and poor bone quality, increasing the risk of fractures.“The biggest challenge was that her bones did not heal together as expected. Even if we managed to treat her, the risk of refracture remained extremely high,” he said.
Traditional surgical methods such as bone plating and grafting were ruled out due to the complexity of her condition. Instead, the medical team devised a specialized multi-step surgical approach to enhance her recovery prospects.
Innovative Surgical Approach
Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Director and Head of the Department of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement at Aakash Healthcare, detailed the procedure, which included:- Removal of abnormal tissue growth (hamartomas) from both legs.
- Bone grafting to strengthen the tibia.
- Stabilization of the bone using a Titanium Elastic Nailing System (TENS) and K-wiring of the fibula.
- Application of an Ilizarov external fixator, which kept the bones aligned during the healing process.
A Family’s Dream and Determination
Afrin’s journey to recovery has been a source of immense joy for her family. Her elder sister, Neha Perween, who left her studies after Class 12 to care for Afrin while their mother worked as a domestic worker, expressed her happiness at seeing her sister walk for the first time.“We are all very happy she can walk for the first time,” said Perween, adding that the family hopes Afrin will become a doctor one day so she can help others in need.
Afrin’s successful treatment marks a significant milestone in orthopedic advancements and gives hope to many suffering from rare bone disorders.