Advanced Limb Salvage Surgeries Restore Mobility for Four Patients

In a country where the loss of a limb often translates into loss of livelihood, independence, and social dignity, the true measure of healthcare lies in its ability to restore not just health, but wholeness. It is with this responsibility that CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, brings to light four complex limb salvage successes—stories that reaffirm a simple yet powerful belief: amputation should be the last resort, not the default outcome, even in the most severe trauma cases.

Demonstrating advanced orthopaedic capability and long-term clinical commitment, the hospital successfully preserved four severely injured limbs that were at imminent risk of amputation, using the highly specialised Ilizarov limb reconstruction technique under the leadership of Dr Ajay Kumar Paruchuri, Senior Consultant – Orthopaedics. Each case involved patients with devastating limb injuries caused by road traffic accidents, industrial trauma, or railway accidents, often compounded by chronic infections, bone loss, failed previous surgeries, and prolonged suffering—situations where patients are frequently told that amputation is the only solution.

33-year-old N Neelima Devi from Hyderabad, who sustained a severe open fracture in a road traffic accident and later developed chronic bone infection following prior treatment, underwent removal of infected implants and application of an Ilizarov fixator. With sustained infection control and bone grafting, complete bone union was achieved, preserving the limb and restoring her ability to walk independently. In another case, 52-year-old D Venkateswara Reddy from Hyderabad suffered a heavily contaminated open fracture after falling from a moving train. Emergency stabilisation with Ilizarov fixation enabled gradual bone healing and functional recovery, preventing permanent disability.

A young male patient from Madhya Pradesh, critically injured in an industrial accident with burns and multiple fractures, lived for years with chronic infection and non-healing wounds and had been advised amputation elsewhere. Through a staged limb reconstruction approach using Ilizarov fixation, infection was controlled, fracture union was achieved, and a limb lengthening of 6 cms was successfully performed, ultimately preserving the limb and restoring functional alignment and mobility. In the fourth case, 51-year-old CH Lakshman from Khammam sustained severe open fractures with associated vascular injury following a motorcycle accident. With Ilizarov fixation, bone grafting, and structured rehabilitation, progressive healing was achieved, enabling him to walk independently once again.

Reflecting on the significance of limb salvage, Dr Ajay Kumar Paruchuri said, “When we save a limb, we are not merely preventing amputation—we are protecting a person’s ability to earn, to move freely, and to live with dignity. Ilizarov reconstruction demands patience, precision, and a long-term partnership with the patient. These cases remind us that even in the most complex situations, perseverance and belief in limb salvage can transform lives.”

Commenting on the hospital’s broader responsibility, Biju Nair, Zonal Chief Operating Officer (ZCOO), CARE Hospitals, stated, “In a society like ours, losing a limb often pushes families into economic and emotional hardship. Our role as a healthcare institution is to intervene before disability becomes destiny. These limb salvage successes reflect our commitment to humanity-first medicine—where clinical excellence serves a larger purpose of restoring independence, dignity, and hope.”

With advanced infrastructure, a strong multidisciplinary framework, and deep expertise in complex trauma and reconstruction, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills continues to strengthen its role as a referral centre for limb salvage surgeries, offering patients a future beyond amputation and reaffirming the hospital’s belief that the highest form of care is one that gives life back its possibilities.