Dr Chen giving back mobility to children with old ...

Dr Chen giving back mobility to children with old fractures

Zim Now Correspondent

While herding goats, 10-year-old Mupodyi decided to ride on a donkey.

The adveture ended badly when he fell and suffered a fracture on his left elbow.

Two days later, he was at the Parirenyatwa Hospital with extreme swelling. Dr. Chen Junpeng, an orthopedic surgeon from the 21st China Medical Team and Loudi Central Hospital, diagnosed severe displacement and recommended emergency surgery.

But Mupodyi’s family did not have the money to complete the admission procedures as scheduled.

One month later, Mupodyi returned to Dr. Chen’s OPD. Witnessing the boy’s stiff elbow joint with the fracture site healing in a deformed position, Dr. Chen felt compelled to act.

He arranged for an emergency surgery on the same day. After thorough reassurance and compassionate communication with the family, Dr. Chen successfully performed the surgery in about an hour.

Postoperative C-arm radiography showed good fracture reduction, approaching normal. On the first day after surgery, Dr. Chen visited the ward, guiding postoperative rehabilitation exercises.

Mupodyi and his family smiled with satisfaction, expressing their gratitude to the Chinese doctors who had traveled thousands of miles to help them.

Mupodyi’s case is not unique. During his time in Zimbabwe, Dr. Chen has treated many children with untreated fractures.

Due to economic difficulties, many children get to the hospital for treatment long after their injuries.

“In some cases, the fractures had healed in a deformed position. Treating such cases is challenging and could potentially result in some degree of functional impairment,” said Dr. Chen.

He said he will continue to give his best to every child that he can help.

“For every patient I encounter, I will do my utmost to help them and restore their limb function to the greatest extent possible,” he said.