Following a traffic accident, many victims confront severe psychological and health challenges. The journey to rediscover themselves requires immense effort from the patients, their families, and the medical team.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Technician Dinh Quoc Hung assisting a patient in regaining motor functions. Photo: T.Y.

Persistent and wholehearted effort

At 10 am, in the hallway of the third floor of the Rehabilitation Department at the Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital, 24-year-old Nguyen Hoang Khoi from Quang Ngai Province, struggles to take slow steps towards his mother. Standing about a metre away, Mrs Huong always keeps her arms ready to catch her son if he falls.

The rehabilitation room and hospital corridor have become familiar places for the mother and son. Mrs Huong says Khoi can now take steps on his own, though slowly and with difficulty. For nearly four years, she has been by his side, her eyes filled with love and hope.

Khoi's story began four years ago when he had a traffic accident while travelling from Da Nang to Quang Ngai Province to visit his family. He was hit by another vehicle and left on the road. Passersby took him to the hospital. The severe collision caused a traumatic brain injury, leading to paralysis on one side of his body and complications like epilepsy, meningitis, dyslipidaemia, and a limp right hand.

Every day has been a battle for Khoi, with multiple surgeries and long hospital stays. Each step, movement, and breath requires his utmost effort. Mrs Huong has never left his side, taking care of his meals, sleep, personal hygiene, and rehabilitation exercises. Khoi admits that there were moments of despair, but seeing his mother's daily struggles, he couldn't give up.

Every morning and afternoon, Mrs Huong accompanies her son to the Rehabilitation Department for therapy sessions. Dinh Quoc Hung, a physical therapy technician, explains that each of Khoi's slow steps results from thousands of painful and exhausting hours of training. "Khoi is one of the most persistent and determined patients I've ever met. He follows the treatment plan and gives his all in every session. From a patient diagnosed with left-sided paralysis and a limp right hand, he can now balance while sitting and walk slowly with support" says Mr Hung.

Monthly, dozens of traffic accident patients receive treatment from the Rehabilitation Department team. Pham Thi Kim Thien, born in 1980 in Mo Duc District, Quang Ngai, has faced a long, challenging journey to recover after a serious traffic accident six years ago. The accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury, quadriplegia, and a coma, requiring numerous complex surgeries. Her husband, Tran Vinh Phuoc, sold their land, sent their children to live with their grandparents, and moved with his wife to Da Nang for her medical treatment.

He takes her to the rehabilitation room twice daily and works in the hospital cafeteria to earn extra income. "Waking up after the accident, I couldn't believe I would have to rely entirely on others. It was tough initially, but my husband's care and spiritual encouragement motivated me to persevere," shares Ms Thien.

Don't miss the "golden time"

Early and correct rehabilitation for traffic accident victims offers a chance at "rebirth". Dr Huynh Tan Tue, Head of the Rehabilitation Department, emphasises that the golden period for rehabilitation is within six months of the injury. Early and proper support can help patients fully recover or reduce long-term effects and dependency on others.

Dr Tue explains that most traffic accident patients lose motor functions, suffer from paralysis, or have traumatic brain injuries and impaired cognition. Early rehabilitation is crucial, but many patients or their families are unaware of its importance, missing the golden period. "For severe cases, recovery might be limited, but without regular and correct physical activity, patients can face complete paralysis" adds Dr Tue.

Rehabilitation is a complex, long-term process requiring medical support. Dinh Quoc Hung, a rehabilitation technician, asserts that patients will receive guided exercises based on their injuries, averaging 1 - 1.5 hours of training daily, split into morning and afternoon sessions. Speech therapy and psychological treatment are equally important for optimal recovery.

Psychologist Tran Minh Phuc of the Tue Minh Psychology Centre highlights that society often overlooks the psychological recovery of traffic accident victims. Many severely injured patients need to prepare mentally to live with permanent disabilities. "Psychological therapies can help patients overcome crises, aiding their return to normal life" he says.

Financial and time constraints also hinder many families from seeking medical care, reducing patients' recovery chances. Recently, the Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital introduced the Foot Balance machine to assess and address imbalances in weight distribution for better treatment outcomes.

Dr Do Van Thanh, the hospital director, notes that adding the Foot Balance machine and other medical equipment helps detect and evaluate balance issues related to injuries. "We continue to invest in modern facilities and medical equipment, as well as apply scientific advancements in diagnosis and treatment. This offers traffic accident victims better access to healthcare, thereby enhancing their recovery and reintegration into the community" affirms Dr Thanh.

Reporting by TIEU YEN - Translating by TRUC VY