New York University (NYU) Langone and an Israeli hospital have joined forces to offer new hope to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers who have lost limbs in the conflict with Hamas. The Israeli charity Belev Echad has facilitated a collaboration between Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center – Ichilov and NYU’s Center for Amputation Reconstruction (CAR) to provide innovative osseointegration techniques developed in the US to Israeli soldiers. This partnership also involves training Israeli doctors to perform these surgeries in their own country.
Osseointegration is a procedure that allows a prosthesis to be directly attached to a patient’s bone, reducing pressure on the surrounding soft tissue. NYU CAR, established in 2019, is a multidisciplinary center led by Dr. Omri Ayalon, focusing on patients with complex limb injuries or severe congenital defects.
Dr. Ayalon expressed gratitude for being able to help these soldiers through reconstructive procedures, highlighting the center’s ability to provide specialized care for patients dealing with limb injuries. The recent attacks by Hamas have increased the demand for prosthetics in Israel, making osseointegration an important innovation for improving treatment outcomes.
The comprehensive approach at NYU CAR includes surgery, physical therapy, and emotional support under one roof, offering a holistic approach to prosthetic treatment. The center’s expertise in addressing phantom limb pain and other challenges associated with amputation and prosthetics, combined with the benefits of osseointegration, enables patients to receive prosthetics effectively.
One example of a soldier benefiting from this collaboration is Imri Rong, a 26-year-old IDF member who was injured during a mission in Gaza. Rong, who was accompanied by his loyal K-9 companion Cheetah, sustained nerve damage in his leg and ankle. Thanks to Belev Echad’s support, he received treatment at NYU CAR, aiming to regain mobility and lead a normal life after surgery.
Dr. Yaron Mor of Ichilov Hospital believes that partnering with NYU CAR will enhance the care available to Israeli soldiers, emphasizing the importance of such collaborations in advancing medical treatment for those injured in conflict.
A partnership between a New York hospital and an Israeli hospital is offering a unique opportunity for mutual growth through knowledge exchange. Dr. Mor, a veteran who served in a previous Gaza war, finds treating wounded veterans to be especially meaningful. Having experienced the loss of a friend during his service, Dr. Mor sees it as a privilege to care for these young individuals and help them lead normal lives. Belev Echad, an Israeli rehabilitation center for wounded IDF soldiers, is collaborating with the New York hospital to provide cutting-edge surgeries and innovative technology in Israel. According to Rabbi Uriel Vigler, the President of Belev Echad, these surgeries have the potential to significantly improve the lives of many individuals.
