Gymnast Falls Head First off of Uneven
Bars
China's paralyzed gymnast Wang Yan has improved beyond
doctors' expectations since she underwent surgery in
Shanghai, said Wu Xiqin, chief coach with the Zhejiang
Provincial gymnastics team.
"On behalf of Wang Yan's family and myself, we want to thank
everyone for their concern", Wu said on the phone. "The critical
period for the 15-year-old is over, and that she has improved
amazingly has even surprised the diagnosis group only after
having surgery seven days ago."
Wang fell into a coma at the national gymnastics championships
in Shanghai June 10 after landing head-first on the mat in her
dismount from the uneven bars with her second and third
vertebrae fractured.
Sources after the accident said that the gymnast would likely be
paralyzed for life, but after surgery and treatment, her
condition improved considerably.
The team of doctors thoroughly examined Wang's impaired mobility
yesterday. But, whether she could transfer out of the intensive
care unit (ICU) will depend on her test results, Wu added.
Seven days since the major surgery, the injured teenager is able
to eat spoonfuls of food, indicating she is getting stronger
physically.
By having her mother by her side and visible recovery, the
15-year-old quickly throws off the gloomy feelings.
According to her doctors, the gymnast is able to relieve herself
on her own, and as her muscular sense is gradually returning,
she can swing her left arm that at first she could not move
ideally, lift her legs up and down and has regained some hand
mobility.
So far, she hasn't had any side effects since the surgery
succeeded, which satisfies the diagnosis group. To their
knowledge, it is a good sign. Yesterday's test of her limb
functions showed she is now out of danger, and the locomotor
system is steadily recovering, according Xu Jiangguang, doctor
of Wang Yan with Shanghai No.6 Hospital.
"We will focus on, during the next stage, helping the gymnast
regain the damaged neurological functions," Xu said.
"I am optimistic Wang can stand up some day," her coach said,
full of confidence. "But it seems too early to say that she has
overcome the injury as she needs to live at the special care
ward for at least two months."
But whether Wang will move out of the ICU would rely on an
examination report which is due out this week.
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