There was a lot of conflicting information about the illness and recovery of the Olympic champion Roman Kostomarov in ice dancing. On April 30, the Mash Telegram channel reported that the skater, who has been in the hospital since the beginning of January, underwent prosthetic surgery on his foot and hand. According to the source, Kostomarov is conscious and recovering. Parallel to this, it was reported that the rehabilitation process required for the transfer of the athlete to Germany continues and it may take several months.
However, a few hours later that same day, Sport24 denied this information, citing its sources.
“The news that Roman had prosthetic surgery on his foot and hand is nonsense. There was no operation,” the source said.
On April 24, TASS wrote that the skater is in stable condition, is doing recovery exercises and wants to get home as soon as possible – missing his family. And on April 26, the broadcast RBC Sport, citing two sources, reported that Kostomarov had difficulties during rehabilitation: it is difficult for him to regain his mobility. Despite the problems that arose at the same time, the athlete’s condition has been stable in recent days.
“Now the best rehab specialists work with Roman. They work hard to restore his mobility, but it is difficult for him to exercise, ”the source said.
Speaking about the rehabilitation of Kostomarov, rehabilitation specialist Konstantin Ternovoy noted that this is a rather long and difficult process for many reasons.
“The first is the psychological state. It is a shock, a misunderstanding of the person’s current physiological state and self-awareness. This needs to be handled very carefully and on an ongoing basis.
The second is the depletion of the body. Many of Roman’s vital organs were affected.
There is functional insufficiency of organs and systems. All internal reserves are depleted, organs are damaged, both functionally and structurally, due to purulent processes.
The third is a violation of the musculoskeletal system. After amputations, problems can be in the places of recovery. You also have to take into account that the limbs are amputated along with part of the nervous system, so the nervous system must adapt to the new conditions, which does not happen very quickly, ”quotes the rehabilitation specialist Sport24.
Petersburg private ambulance “Koris” chief physician Lev Averbakh also told Sport24 that the rehabilitation process of the skater will take a long time, and that there may be a deterioration in the recovery process.
“The fact that Roman is recovering is very good. Frankly, according to the information we have, the chances of a successful outcome were extremely low. But it’s too early to relax. We have a big recovery ahead of us.
Sepsis, thrombosis, pneumonia and other serious complications leave scars on the body and tend to return. He needs to be transferred from the intensive care unit to the ward first, and then to the rehabilitation unit.
Roman will remain under medical supervision for at least six months, but given his complications this could take up to several years. Averbakh, blood coagulation, general indicators, mental health, etc.
Before his illness, Kostomarov actively participated in various ice productions, including the performance in the play “Anna Karenina” staged by producer and choreographer Ilya Averbukh. The specialist admitted that in the anniversary year (in 2023, the silver medalist of the 2002 Olympic Games turns 50) he plans to return to the show, but so far it is difficult for him to imagine this without the participation of Kostomarov.
“Romeo and Juliet and of course Anna Karenina are also planned. With “Anna Karenina”, of course, the most difficult thing, because so far I can not imagine the performance without the participation of Romans (Kostomarov). We all understand everything. I really hope it won’t be without his participation,” Sport24 quotes Averbukh.