Dr. Andrey Shestakov, a clinician specializing in nervous system diseases, questions the assertion that an anti-inflammatory injection could have caused grave complications for figure skater Roman Kostomarov. In sports reporting, some specialists have found the claim that such an injection would lead to amputation or similarly severe outcomes unlikely. The discussion reflects a broader concern about how medical interventions are interpreted in high-profile athletic cases. Shestakov emphasizes that the presence of serious health events does not automatically implicate a single treatment as the primary cause, and he points to a more nuanced view of the patient’s trajectory.
According to the physician, an anti-inflammatory shot would not typically generate the kind of catastrophic damage described in some accounts. He notes that the initial diagnosis may have contained errors from the outset, and that the clinical picture requires careful reevaluation. The reference to Covid-19 paired with pneumonia suggests a cascade of systemic effects that could impact joints and general health, with early symptoms sometimes mistaken for a routine cold. This perspective aims to separate therapeutic choices from the complex biological processes that can unfold during respiratory infections, particularly when they interact with preexisting conditions.
Shestakov outlines that the most significant factors behind the extensive physical decline appear to be multiple infectious processes arising during the course of Covid-19 and pneumonia. The key takeaway, he argues, is not a single intervention but the interplay of several infections and the body’s response to them. This interpretation shifts focus away from a singular treatment and toward understanding how simultaneous infections can drive deterioration in mobility and overall function over time.
From early January, Kostomarov remained hospitalized following New Year performances at an outdoor event. Reports indicated that he was moved to intensive care due to pneumonia and required artificial respiratory support, with the situation described as critically serious at that time. Medical teams faced a rapidly changing clinical landscape, balancing the management of lung infection with the need to preserve neurological function and systemic stability. The patient’s status during this period underscores the fragility of recovery when severe infection intersects with prior health challenges.
On February 7, reports circulated that Kostomarov had undergone amputations of both legs, with later updates mentioning finger amputations as well. By spring, the Olympic champion had entered a rehabilitation phase as part of the recovery process. The trajectory of such events—if confirmed or clarified—highlights the importance of transparent, accurate reporting in medical emergencies and the impact on the athlete’s long-term quality of life. Rehabilitation efforts during this period focused on restoring mobility, stamina, and independence, while tracking the potential long-term consequences of extensive infection-related damage.
Earlier in the discussion, a neurologist had suggested factors that might hinder Kostomarov’s full recovery from the injuries, adding another dimension to the medical dialogue surrounding his treatment and prognosis. This input reflects the multidisciplinary nature of care in complex cases where neurological and systemic illnesses intersect, and it underscores the need for ongoing assessment to inform treatment choices and expectations for return to sport or daily living.