Circumstances of Injury:
On December 18, 2024, while holding our position, we came under another round of enemy fire. A kamikaze drone began its attack. Our bunker was already in poor condition — the structure was sinking and unstable — but we had no other option. We had to hold the line.
The enemy spotted us from the air. The drone hovered over our position, and within seconds, it dropped an explosive. I was inside the bunker at that moment. The blast hit me with multiple fragments, causing a shrapnel wound to my leg.
The first sensation felt like an electric shock — as if 380 volts shot through my leg. A sharp, piercing pain that slowly faded, but my leg stopped responding. The only clear thought was: I’m alive — I need to stay focused.
Because of continuous fire and the dangerous conditions, evacuation was impossible. I had to remain in the bunker for 20 days before a safe extraction could be arranged. My brothers-in-arms never left me — they shared everything they had, supported me, and helped me get through the pain and exhaustion.
There was fear — you can’t survive war without it. But it didn’t paralyze me; it pushed me to keep going. What matters most is that I survived. Life goes on, and that’s what truly counts.
Diagnosis:
Healed (consolidated) fracture of the upper third of the left tibia with a bone defect and cement spacers in place.
This means that the fracture in the upper third of the left tibia (shin bone) has already healed — the bone has partially restored its continuity after the injury.
However, a bone defect remains at the fracture site, meaning there is an area where bone tissue has been lost or has not fully regenerated.
To fill this void and prevent infection, cement spacers have been placed. These are special temporary inserts, often loaded with antibiotics. They:
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help maintain the shape and structural support of the bone,
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protect the area from infection,
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prepare the site for further reconstruction, such as bone grafting.
Clinical Decision:
Alloplasty of the tibial bone defect.
Alloplasty of a tibial defect is a surgical procedure in which the missing or damaged portion of the bone is replaced with a special material.
In this case, an allograft material is used — this is donor bone tissue or specially processed biomaterial that is compatible with the human body. It is placed into the area of the defect to:
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restore the integrity of the bone,
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provide structural strength,
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create conditions for proper bone healing and regeneration.
Over time, this material may be partially or completely replaced by the patient’s own bone tissue as the healing process progresses.
