Ukraine introduces first robotic simulators to help wounded veterans walk again

The first robotic simulators in Ukraine were installed in the regional hospital of war veterans in the city of Rivne. These simulators help wounded soldiers relearn how to walk and move their hands. This innovative equipment has become an important event for Ukrainian medicine.

This is reported by Raion in ua, Rubryka writes.

What is the problem?

During fierce battles, Ukrainian soldiers receive serious injuries, due to which the soldiers need rehabilitation measures after treatment and operations.

In addition, a full-scale war also damages the civilian population, which also needs rehabilitation under the supervision of professional rehabilitators.

What is the solution?

Before the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, i.e., in 2014, participants of World War II and the Afghan wars were treated and rehabilitated here. Nowadays, the majority of patients are those who have been defending Ukraine from the Russian invaders.

In total, the medical facility has 240 beds. Every year, more than five thousand veterans undergo rehabilitation and treatment here. Currently, 100 beds are reserved for patients of the Republican Center for the treatment and rehabilitation of the consequences of neurotrauma.

How does it work?

The Klevan Hospital, as it is popularly called, was one of the first to treat and rehabilitate patients with craniocerebral and spinal injuries who had significant brain damage and large bone defects. Today, such therapy already has many positive results.

Recently, robotic simulators never seen in Ukraine were installed here, one of which will teach veterans to walk again.

The state budget allocated about $490 thousand for its purchase. This is the first time that such equipment has been purchased for Ukrainian medical institutions.

The simulators have several programs:

• The walking recovery system is a robot that fixes the patient from the waist to the heels, analyzes the possibilities of leg movement, and starts a rehabilitation program. The program monitors what the patient does. The system immediately activates and stops if a person makes certain independent movements.
• The simulator also has a hand rehabilitation program. The device fixes the limb and the patient develops the hand by performing tasks in the form of a game on the monitor.
• A verticalizer is a robot that fixes the patient in a vertical position, simulating walking on the monitor. The program can specify both passive walking and walking with obstacles. The range of motion is not great, but the patient sees they can do it.

These robots open up new possibilities for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian veterans, allowing them to restore motor skills and improve their quality of life.

The equipment carefully analyzes the patient's condition, providing an individual approach to each. These are not just medical devices, but real assistants that help restore faith in oneself and one's abilities.