UKRAINIAN SOLDIER RECEIVES NEW PROSTHESIS FROM ENES JURIQUILLA

Sergey, a 25-year-old Ukrainian, worked as an electrician in a mine back in his home country. In February 2025, like many others, he joined Ukraine’s defense efforts amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. He participated in several military operations across the country until November 11 of the same year, when he stepped on a landmine.

Sergey initially received medical care in Ukraine, where he was fitted with two resin-based prosthetic legs. After one of these prostheses broke, he enrolled in a support program organized by the Ukrainian government and civil society organizations.

Through this program, the Ukrainian Civil Society in Mexico, with support from the Ukrainian Embassy and the Ministry of Health, connected Sergey with a team of specialists at the ENES Juriquilla campus of UNAM. The team provided not only physical but also psychological assistance.

Luisa Alejandra Santos Borráez, a faculty member at ENES Juriquilla, described Sergey’s injuries: “He suffered a partial Chopart amputation after stepping on a landmine, which resulted in the loss of most of his foot; only his heel was preserved.”

Santos Borráez recalled, “He arrived in Mexico from Ukraine in November 2024, wearing a prosthesis that didn’t fit him properly.”

“We began by taking measurements to create custom molds for him. From there, we started the thermoforming process, which involved several adjustments until we achieved the final socket—the part where the patient’s residual limb fits.”

Sergey wore a test version of the prosthesis for a month. The final version was completed once the alignment and adjustments were made and the patient was comfortable. The entire process took four months.

Santos Borráez noted that Sergey has since been discharged and is now back in Ukraine with his family. With his new prosthesis, he can now perform activities such as running, crouching, climbing stairs and ramps, and walking on various terrains.

The multidisciplinary team involved in this project was led by Santos Borráez and included Nora Ramírez, a faculty member in Nutrition; Aleida Cisneros, a student in the same field; Adrián Pastrana and Andrea Peña, students in the Orthotics and Prosthetics degree programs; and Daniel Rodríguez and Andrea Torres, students in the Physical Therapy degree program.