Electrocution survivor gets new lease of life with prosthetic limbs at CMCH

COIMBATORE: A 32-year-old woman who lost both her hands in an electrocution accident has received a new lease of life after doctors at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) fitted her with lightweight prosthetic limbs. Thanks to the artificial limbs made at the hospital’s Artificial Limb Centre, K Rukmani, from Kothagiri in the Nilgiris district, can now carry out her daily chores independently.

Rukmani, a mother of two, suffered the accident in September 2024. While her children were playing on the terrace, a ball fell down. When she used an iron rod to retrieve it, she accidentally touched a wire from a nearby electric pole. The electric shock rendered both her arms non-functional. She was admitted to CMCH, where plastic surgeons did below elbow amputation on both sides to save her life.

After her wounds healed, Rukmani was referred to the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation on February 25, where she was fitted with modern prosthetic arms under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS). She received training with the prosthetic limbs, learning to write names independently and to pick up and place objects.

Dr Nirmala, Dean of CMCH, said the hospital’s Artificial Limb Centre custom-designs and prepares prosthetic arms and legs for patients on-site. “Over 200 prosthetic limbs have been provided to those in need under the CMCHIS. In private hospitals, prosthetic fittings can cost up to Rs 2 lakh, but under this scheme, they are provided free of cost,” she said.

She also commended the team of doctors and staff for their efforts in fitting the lightweight prosthetic limbs and providing continuous training. The team included Dr Vetri Vel Chezhiyan, director, Institute of Orthopaedics; Dr Senthilkumar, head of the department of plastic surgery; Dr Padmarani, assistant professor, department of physical medicine and rehabilitation; prosthetic technician Jagan; and occupational therapist Sridevi.

The Artificial Limb Centre at CMCH began manufacturing lightweight prosthetic limbs in July 2020. The first transtibial prosthetic limb was fitted to a woman on August 15, 2020.