22/04/2022
The Trans-tibial heroine
PHOTO | EUGENE AMELI
HOD, KNH Orthapaedic technology - Mr. O.J Odiege (2nd, left) with Ms.Leah Muchiri (C) and her family memebers as she trains to walk again
brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. There is no cure for lupus erythematosus, but medical interventions and lifestyle changes can help control it. The condition can partially affect the sight and appendages (lower and upper limbs). At such a tender age and fighting quadruple amputations and co-morbidities, she remains optimistic that things are bound to take an about-turn for better self-reliant days. The good news would be broken to her, not in any other hospital but Kenyatta National Hospital which takes pride in quality specialized health care services at affordable costs. At the Orthopaedic clinic, the solution to her problems started to unfold with treatment and physical assessment that revealed well-healed stumps with no skin issues as well as proper muscle grade and full range of motion of joints. “Leah’s condition required prosthesis since she spent most
of her time on a wheelchair. She attended physiotherapy sessions twice a week for several months. During these sessions, blood pressure and heart rate were monitored. She was very motivated and compliant with the program but often pushed the boundaries and had to be reminded of the risk of falling down. Currently, she is able to walk independently with minimal monitoring and shows promising continuous improvement,” said Senior Orthopedic Technologist Mr. Emmanuel Mayaka Onduso. The strenuous compact outpatient program entailed an exercise program of strengthening for hip and knee extensors, prone lying and review of positioning as well as weight shifting and unsupported standing in the parallel bars progressing to eyesclosed balance. This included balancing on a foam cushion while monitoring the time that she could sustain each, gait trainingstarting with walking unsupported
ISSUE 8 | Kenyatta National Hospital Newsline
“Currently, she is able to walk independently with minimal monitoring and shows promising continuous improvement,” - Emmanuel Mayaka
with a gait belt and minimal assistance in the parallel bars and progressing to a four (4) point cane with a gait belt and assistance. It was also supported by walking with a single cane that has a widebased tip and finally to walking one hundred and twenty (120) meters with no gait aid (unsupported), at the KNH physiotherapy department. “I can ascertain that, upon assessment, Leah exhibits and testifies to no pain, phantom pain (pain that feels like it’s coming from a body part that’s no longer there) or uncomfortable issues with her stumps or prostheses,” added Mr. Damiano. “I thank all those who have made me walk again. I am slowly gaining independence in my daily chores and I will be faithful to all follow-up clinic visits. I hope to one day regain my hand functions also, although I know how costly it is, but I believe that with well-wishers or donor funding, this can be achieved in the near future,” said Ms. Leah Muchiri.
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