Ukrainian former Olympian given new lease of life after surgery in Dubai

Former Soviet Olympian was visiting family and has not been able to return home due to war

Larisa Strotskaia pictured with medical staff at Aster Hospital. Photo: Aster Hospital

A Ukrainian retired Olympian has had knee surgery in Dubai to free her from years of pain caused by a debilitating condition.

Larisa Strotskaia, 69, who represented the Soviet Union in the 1972 Munich Olympics in the long jump, said she was “haunted” by pain from severe osteoarthritis in both knees as medication gives her little relief.

Ms Strotskaia arrived in Dubai with her husband, Boris Eremeev, in December to visit their children. It was during their holiday that war broke out in their country.

Her condition worsened after swelling in both legs left her unable to walk, sit or lie down without pain.

Doctors suggested surgery, but the family could not afford treatment.

“I tried everything from taking pain killers to injections to doing physiotherapy to get some relief,” she said.

“We had come here to meet our children and grandchildren. We were planning to go back to Ukraine in March, but things turned upside down for us in this short time.”

The Ukrainian consulate in Dubai put them in touch with Aster Hospitals, who covered the cost of the treatment.

Ms Strotskaia recently underwent a total knee replacement procedure at Aster Hospital, Qusais.

“We do not have a country to go back to,” she said.

The couple are living with their children and have an extended visa so that they may remain in the UAE.

“The government granted special approval for us to stay in the country for a year,” Mr Eremeev said.

“We had come with some money to spend a short holiday with our children and grandchildren.

“Neither could we afford the cost of the surgery here in Dubai, nor could we go back to Ukraine.”

They have do not know what has happened to their family home in Kyiv.

“We are going through the toughest time in our life,” Ms Strotskaia told The National.

“We have lost everything in our life.”

The Ukrainian national was a track and field coach and physical trainer for 40 years.

For now, she is enjoying the experience of being pain-free for the first time in years after surgery on April 16.

“Now I am relieved. There is no pain,” she said.

“I can walk without pain and I’m looking forward to this. The pain in my knees has been haunting me for some time now.”

Dr Raghavendra K Siddappa, orthopaedic specialist at Aster, performed the four-hour bilateral total knee replacement, exchanging the damaged bone and joint for titanium and cobalt chromium metal implants.

“Post-surgery, she had done well and started walking on the same day,” Dr Siddappa said.

“Surgery is advised only in advanced stages of arthritis, where the entire joint is damaged, [and] the patient finds it difficult to walk, climb the stair and there is no relief with medications and physiotherapy.”

Physiotherapy will continue for two more weeks as Ms Strotskaia gains strength.

The couple were grateful to the hospital and doctor for their “exceptional” support and care. They said they are hopeful about the future.

“We will forever be indebted to all those who have supported us during these times of crisis,” she said.

“The war is getting intense. But we hope to return to our country soon.”

In an emotional video, Ms Strotskaia has a message to the world about the war in Ukraine. “Please help us, the Ukrainian nation," she said.

"Stop the evil, stop killing our people.”