It will take anywhere between three months and one year for victims hurt in the Himalaya foot overbridge collapse near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus last week to recover from the injuries, doctors have said.
Six people died and more than 30 were injured in the foot overbridge collapse on March 14.
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Many of the victims fell on their feet from a height, and the impact has resulted in severe multiple fractures in the lower limbs and the spine. Doctors say the recovery will include healing of fractures and consecutive rehabilitation therapy, which may take time.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Dhiraj Sonawne from GT Hospital said due to a fall from a height of 30-35 feet, many victims have suffered burst fractures — spinal fractures caused by severe axial load. “The impact of such falls starts from the foot and goes up to the spine,” Dr. Sonawne said.
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Of the seven victims currently admitted to GT Hospital, three have spinal fractures. Of these, Harshada Waghare (40) has undergone a surgery which involved implanting eight screws and two rods in her spine. The other two have not required surgery so far. Of the remaining four, one patient — a banana seller on the bridge — has blunt injuries and puncture wounds on his foot. The three others have suffered fractures to the finger, shoulder and tibia, along with multiple injuries. “The fractures will heal in about three to five months,” Dr. Sonawne said.
RBI employee Rajendra Navale, his wife and their three-year-old son are admitted to Jaslok Hospital. While the child was operated on for a foot fracture, his mother had blood accumulation in the thigh and an ankle fracture.Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Amit Pispati said Mr. Navale’s injuries are the most severe of the three and his recovery may take over a year. Besides multiple spinal fractures, he also has severe fractures to both feet and a lot of damage to his joints.
Three other patients, including two police constables, are admitted to Bombay Hospital. One of the policemen, Mahesh Shetye, has a spinal cord fracture, along with fractures in one hand and one leg. “All patients are stable. There is sensation in Mr. Shetye’s limbs, which is a good sign,” Dr. Sagar Sakle from Bombay Hospital said.
Of the nine patients admitted to St. George Hospital, seven have undergone surgeries and required orthopaedic implants. Of these, at least three have severe fractures, including those to both tibia, femur shaft and humerus shaft. Two other patients, who were shifted to JJ Hospital with a leg fracture and a head injury, are in a stable condition.