Severe Arm Injury near Bakhmut: A Chance to Restore Function

A gunshot wound led to bone loss and a serious infection. There is now a chance to restore movement in the arm — but it requires complex surgical treatment.

Case Summary

• Date of injury: November 16, 2022
• Location: outskirts of Bakhmut
• Injury: gunshot wound to the right arm
• Complications: bone defect and osteomyelitis
• Condition: significant loss of arm function
• Treatment plan: total elbow joint replacement

A strong sense of duty and commitment to protecting fellow soldiers guided every action.

On November 16, 2022, during combat operations on positions in the outskirts of Bakhmut, the unit came under heavy artillery fire, followed by an assault and a prolonged firefight.

In the midst of the battle, he sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm. The sensation was sharp and piercing — as if a powerful electric shock had passed through the entire right side of his body. The arm instantly lost sensation.

Despite this, he managed to reach cover, report the injury to his commander, and begin moving toward the evacuation point on his own.

At that moment, the only goal was to hold on and not lose the limb.

Bone defect in the upper part of the right forearm (radius and ulna), temporarily replaced with an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer. The condition is complicated by osteomyelitis and significant impairment of arm function.

What This Means

Part of the bone in the arm was lost due to the injury. It has been temporarily replaced with a special material containing antibiotics to preserve the bone’s structure and help fight infection.

There is also an active infection in the bone, which makes treatment more complex, and the arm currently has severely limited movement and strength.

Total elbow joint replacement.

What This Means

The damaged elbow joint will be completely replaced with an artificial prosthesis. This allows the restoration of movement in the arm — including bending and extension.

This type of procedure is necessary when the bone is severely damaged or complicated by infection, and other treatment options are no longer effective.

Goal: reduce pain, restore mobility, and preserve the ability to use the arm in everyday life.

Why Help Is Needed

Injuries like this require complex, multi-stage treatment. Reconstructing the bone and implanting a prosthesis offer a real chance to restore arm function.

Your support is an opportunity to complete the necessary treatment and regain the ability to use the arm in everyday life.