Wong et al. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2010, 5:43 CASE REPORT Open Access Bilateral transtibial amputation with concomitant thoracolumbar vertebral collapse in a Sichuan earthquake survivor Caroline Ngar-Chi Wong1*, Joseph Man-Kit Yu2, Sheung-Wai Law3, Herman Mun-Cheung Lau1, Cavor Kai-Ming Chan3 Abstract The devastating earthquake in Sichuan, China on 12 May 2008 left thousands of survivors requiring medical care and intensive rehabilitation. In view of this great demand, the Chinese Speaking Orthopaedic Society established the “Stand Tall” project to provide voluntary services to aid amputee victims in achieving total rehabilitation and social integration. This case report highlights the multidisciplinary rehabilitation of a girl. | Wong et al. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2010 5 43 http content 5 1 43 JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND RESEARCH CASE REPORT Open Access Bilateral transtibial amputation with concomitant thoracolumbar vertebral collapse in a Sichuan earthquake survivor Caroline Ngar-Chi Wong1 Joseph Man-Kit Yu2 Sheung-Wai Law3 Herman Mun-Cheung Lau1 Cavor Kai-Ming Chan3 Abstract The devastating earthquake in Sichuan China on 12 May 2008 left thousands of survivors requiring medical care and intensive rehabilitation. In view of this great demand the Chinese Speaking Orthopaedic Society established the Stand Tall project to provide voluntary services to aid amputee victims in achieving total rehabilitation and social integration. This case report highlights the multidisciplinary rehabilitation of a girl who suffered thoracolumbar vertebral collapse and underwent bilateral transtibial amputation. The rehabilitation team was involved in all stages of the care process from the pre-operative phase through amputation into prosthetic training and during her life thereafter. Despite this catastrophic event early rehabilitation and specially designed bilateral prostheses allowed her a high level of functional ability. The joint efforts of the multidisciplinary team and the advancement of new technology have revolutionized the care process for amputees. Introduction A magnitude earthquake struck Sichuan Province of China on 12 May 2008. It was the most damaging natural disaster since the devastating Asian Tsunami of 2004. The earthquake in Sichuan left over 70 000 dead about 20 000 missing more than 200 000 injured and almost ten million homeless 1 . The majority of the injured survivors suffered musculoskeletal trauma -often relating to crush injuries - resulting in unilateral bilateral or even multiple limb amputation fractures and spinal cord injuries. Long-term and well planned rehabilitation after the acute management is vitally important to .
