A devastating crush injury that once pointed to amputation finds healing through advanced cell-based therapy
The patient travelled back to Mauritius on his feet, via flight, and uses no walker for any support while walking
In a remarkable case of recovery, a 19-year-old boy named Ashfaq from Mauritius defied the odds after suffering a severe foot injury in a road accident. Initially advised for a below-knee amputation due to the extent of his injuries, Ashfaq’s story took a dramatic turn for the better when regenerative therapy at StemRx Hospital in Navi Mumbai offered him a chance to heal without surgery or amputation. Dr. Pradeep Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher & Founder of StemRx Hospital & Research Centre, saved the teen’s foot from amputation by giving him a fresh lease of life.
Ashfaq was riding as a rear passenger on a motorbike when a motor vehicle rammed into them. The impact severely crushed his right foot, trapping it between two vehicles in March 2025. Despite wearing a helmet and taking necessary safety precautions, he suffered multiple fractures and a major soft tissue injury. He was immediately rushed to a nearby Hospital in Mauritius, where emergency wound cleaning, debridement, and stabilization of his foot were performed with ligation of vessels and suturing.
Subsequent CT scans revealed the gravity of his condition: shattered bones, displaced fragments, joint dislocations, and a large soft tissue hematoma. The local medical team suggested surgery but warned of a high likelihood of tissue death, ultimately leading to amputation. Faced with this grim prospect, Ashfaq sought alternatives and reached out to StemRx in Mauritius, which then referred him to their main center in Navi Mumbai for specialized regenerative care.
At StemRx, a multidisciplinary team created a tailored, non-surgical treatment protocol. Over four months, Ashfaq underwent a combination of regenerative therapies, repeated wound care, antibiotics for infection control, skin and bone grafting, and sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). A standout part of his treatment was MDI therapy, which works by mimicking the body’s natural insulin release pattern. MDI therapy supports faster tissue and bone healing. It also reduces inflammation, limits harmful fat byproducts, improves blood circulation, and even helps nerve recovery.”
Dr. Pradeep Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher & Founder of StemRx Hospital & Research Centre, said, “ He travelled via flight on a stretcher along with his father in March 2025, with a hope to save his leg from amputation and to walk again. On arrival, he had a destroyed foot, shattered bones, and tissue damage, which made it impossible to walk. This innovative approach promotes faster tissue and bone healing by reducing inflammation, improving blood circulation, and supporting nerve recovery. With consistent therapy and careful monitoring, Ashfaq’s wounds healed, bones began to realign, and tissue regenerated. Not treating a foot crush injury on time would lead to permanent tissue and muscle damage, infection/gangrene, or even life-threatening complications like crush syndrome and foot amputation. Most importantly, amputation was avoided, and the young man regained function in his foot, a once-unlikely outcome.
Dr. Pradeep Mahajan added, “Ashfaq’s case showcases the immense potential of regenerative medicine, especially for trauma patients without underlying health complications. With technologies like MDI, previously hopeless cases may now end in full recovery and not loss. This success not only gave Ashfaq his leg and independence back but also stands as a beacon of possibility for others suffering similar traumatic injuries. He is now able to walk, climb stairs, and has no difficulty in doing everyday tasks. The patient is advised to avoid excessive strain, wear protective footwear, maintain a healthy diet, continue physiotherapy, and practice good hygiene. The patient travelled back to Mauritius on his feet, via flight, and uses no walker for any support while walking.”
“When the doctors in Mauritius told me I might lose my leg, my heart sank. I felt like my whole world had come crashing down. I kept thinking about how I would live, how I would move forward with one leg? The thought of amputation haunted me every second. I was shattered, hopeless, and couldn’t see a future. But coming to StemRx was like finding light in complete darkness. Dr. Mahajan and his team didn’t just save my foot; they gave me back my strength, dignity, and the belief that miracles do happen. I will be forever grateful for this second chance at life,” said a teary-eyed Ashfaq.
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