Al-Ahsa Health Cluster: Rehabilitation plan and orthopedic shoes save a patient from paralysis
Medical staff in Al-Ahsa Governorate recorded a new medical achievement that adds to the record of health successes in the Kingdom, as a specialized medical team at King Fahd Hospital in Al-Hofuf, affiliated with the Al-Ahsa Health Cluster, succeeded in ending the suffering of a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis, and enabling her to regain the ability to walk and move independently after a long period of total dependence on her companion in all her movements.
Accurate diagnosis of a complex health condition
The hospital's rehabilitation clinics received the patient, who was suffering from a deteriorating and complex health condition characterized by severe weakness in her lower limb muscles and extreme difficulty performing basic vital functions such as sitting and standing, rendering her confined to a wheelchair. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that directly affects the joints and surrounding tissues, and in advanced cases, can lead to bone erosion, joint deformities, and loss of mobility if not treated with intensive therapy programs.
Initial medical and clinical examinations conducted by the specialized team revealed a significant limitation in the range of motion of the hip and ankle joints, accompanied by clear muscle atrophy as a result of lack of movement, in addition to a difference in the length of the lower limbs, and a defect in the knee ligaments. These combined factors negatively affected the body's balance and stability, which necessitated urgent intervention.
Comprehensive treatment plan and technical intervention
The treatment team began implementing an intensive and comprehensive treatment plan based on the latest protocols in rehabilitation medicine. The plan started with precise exercises to increase the range of motion and length of the affected tendons and muscles, and progressed to include muscle strengthening exercises and balance improvement, culminating in transitional exercises to prepare the body for movement and walking.
During the gait training phase, the team encountered complex biomechanical challenges that required immediate intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration. The case was referred to a rehabilitation medicine consultant and the prosthetics department to develop a technological solution to support the treatment plan. Specialists were able to design and manufacture a custom-made orthopedic shoe for the patient, which significantly improved her body alignment, enhanced her gait, and addressed the leg length discrepancy, reflecting the advancements in supportive medical services in the Kingdom's hospitals.
The importance of medical integration and the goals of health transformation
The integrated efforts of a multidisciplinary team, including physiotherapy, rehabilitation medicine, prosthetics and orthopedics, resulted in a remarkable and gradual improvement in the patient’s condition, as she eventually succeeded in walking short distances and regaining a large part of her lost independence, which had a significant positive psychological impact on her and her family.
This achievement reflects the significant progress witnessed in the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly in the field of rehabilitation medicine and specialized care, in line with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which focuses on improving quality of life and enhancing the efficiency of healthcare services. The Al-Ahsa Health Cluster emphasized that this success highlights the importance of early intervention and the use of appropriate assistive devices as crucial elements in accelerating patients' response to rehabilitation programs and reducing disability rates.
