Expressnews
Mr Muthuraja unfortunately had a fall from a height and suffered two major high velocity injuries.
1) Unstable fracture of the thoracolumbar spine
2) Severe injury of the pelvis and hips
The fracture of the spine unfortunately injured his spinal cord which left him completely paraplegic. He was immediately operated in Ganga Hospital which stabilised the spine so that rehabilitation could be started. Following the healing of the wounds, he was transferred to Ganga Spine Injury Rehabilitation Centre where he partially recovered, but still required wheel-chair mobilisation. Following intensive training under the coach of Mr.Yuraja & Physiotherapist Mr Muruga Prabhu, he became an expert in wheelchair chair shotput and discus throw winning two medals and making India proud.
Dr Rajasekaran, Director, Ganga Hospital said that Mr Muthuraja’s story is an inspiration for other spinal cord injured patients on how well they can perform. It is also a lesson that why patients with spinal cord injuries must take proper treatment which allows them to perform to their fullest ability. An early and definitive surgery is very important to give a stable spine that allows them to start rehabilitation very early. The surgery that Mr Muthuraja underwent involved placement of multiple titanium screws and two rods whichbrought the spinal column to position and stabilised the spine. Otherwise, the spine is always weak and giving rise to pain which will not allow strengthening programs.It is notable that following the surgery, the spine could take the severe stress that is involved with both discus and shotput throws which puts a severe demand on the spine.
Following surgery, Mr Muthuraja was also rehabilitated in Ganga Spine Injury Rehabilitation Centre. The centre has many advanced equipments including the state-of-the art expensive machines. The centre has been the beneficiary of two Global Grant Projects of the Rotary International through the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Central. These projects have helped to update the centre with facilities matching the West and also provided a hydrotherapy pool which facilitates quick muscle recovery, body balance and rehabilitation.
Both Ganga Hospital and Rotary Club of Coimbatore Central felicitated Mr Muthuraja and his coach Mr Muruga Prabhu. Mr Ashwin, President, Rotary Club of Coimbatore Central welcomed the gathering and Mr Ramani Shankar, leading architect and member of Rotary Central offered felicitations and also elaborated on the need for such centres. Dr Rajasekaran, Director of Ganga Hospital, explained about the importance of appropriate therapy for spinal cord injured patients and said that Mr Muthuraja’s story is an inspiration for many such patients. He also explained future plans for the expansion of the rehabilitation centre into a Paralympic sports training centre so that many more Mr Muthurajas will emerge. This is very important because there are more than 35000 people with severe spinal cord injuries in India every year.
