Fifteen-year-old Thameem, who suffered acute trauma after a bike accident and has undergone rare surgical procedures, may be carrying more metal in his neck than ‘Iron Man’ himself.

He continues to wear a cervical collar after neurosurgeons at KIMS Hospital here fixed what they described as a totally shattered spine.

The ICU staff and physiotherapists agree that it is Thameem’s indomitable spirit and God’s grace which would carry him forward on the road to recovery.

The accident happened on September 18 when Thameem was a pillion rider on his friend's bike. As they negotiated a steep bump at a high speed, Thameem was thrown off the bike.

He landed on his back, injuring his spine. When he regained consciousness, he could not move his left upper and lower limbs at all, and had only minimal power on the right.

The tremendous impact of the fall had literally broken his neck, causing multiple fractures on his spine and haemorrhage into his spinal cord. All four limbs paralysed, he held on, breathing and fighting to survive.

Emergency surgery

He was rushed to the hospital and was subjected to emergency neurosurgery lasting eight hours by a team of Santhosh George Thomas, Biji Bahuleyan and Girish KM.

After the complicated surgery, Thameem tried his best to cooperate with the ICU team, physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists.

After a week, his limb functions started to return. It has now been a month since the accident, and Thameem is now able to walk with support.

Santhosh George Thomas, neurosurgeon and spine surgeon, says that high-speed trauma to the spine in young individuals is potentially the most devastating of all injuries to the skeletal system.

“We all wish young people would keep this in mind when they zoom around recklessly on their two-wheelers or play dangerous sports,” he said.

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