Gymnast likely to be paralyzed
A teenage Chinese gymnast who broke her neck at the national championships on Sunday is likely to be at least partially paralyzed for life, according to state media.
Wang Yan, 15, fell into a coma after landing head-first on the mat after catching her leg during the dismount from the uneven bars, fracturing her second and third vertebrae.
A doctor who took part in Wang's diagnosis said she was lucky to be alive, adding it was encouraging that she had recovered some function in her right leg.
"It's a very serious injury," said Jia Lianshun, the chief of the Bone Study Institute of the People's Liberation Army.
"The patient could not react to stimulant under the chest bone, and both hands lost the capability to move. The symptom is very similar to top marrow damage, which results in death in 98.5 percent of cases.
"What's lucky for her is she revived the function in the right leg and foot. With appropriate medical treatment, it's possible to recover part of the physical function.
"The doctors have been carrying out intensive medication on the girl and the possibility for operation can come only when her physical condition improves."
The stakes were high for Wang and her competitors at the national championships held in Shanghai, because it was the first trial for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"The gymnasts all display their new routines with highest difficulty," national team manager Zhang Peiwen told the Chengdu Business Daily.
"It is a tragedy no one wants to see. I hope she can get better soon. I believe everybody is in sorrow."
Agencies
(China Daily 06/14/2007 page22)
