Govinda likely to be discharged Friday after accidentally shooting himself in the leg; here’s how long it takes to recover from a bullet injury

His wife, Sunita Ahuja, shared that while he had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit on Tuesday, his condition has since improved significantly. “He is better. We will admit him to the normal ward today. He is much better than yesterday (and) will be discharged the day after tomorrow. With everyone’s blessings… he has recovered.”

#WATCH | Actor and Shiv Sena leader Govinda's wife Sunita Ahuja arrives at CritiCare Asia where he is admitted.

She says, "He is better. We will admit him to the normal ward today. He is much better than yesterday. He will be discharged the day after tomorrow. With everyone's… pic.twitter.com/WZYfjJH2GS

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2024

According to Govinda’s close aide, Shashi Sinha, the accident occurred as Govinda was placing his revolver in a cupboard when it slipped, causing the gun to fire accidentally. “He was about to leave for Kolkata when the incident occurred. He was keeping his licensed revolver properly in the almirah when it fell on the ground. While handling the weapon, the bullet accidentally discharged. The injury is below the left knee. The bullet has now been removed. His daughter Tina is present at the hospital. He is talking to everyone and is doing alright,” he told indianexpress.com.

Recovering from a bullet injury can vary significantly based on the severity and location of the wound, as well as the type of tissues or bones affected.

Recovery Time: Bone vs. soft tissue injuries

According to Dr Sanjay Gupta, an internal medicine expert, the recovery timeline for bullet injuries largely depends on whether the damage involves bones or soft tissues. If the bullet has caused bone injury, recovery can take more than four weeks. Bone fractures or shattering can prolong healing, especially if surgeries, such as placing a plate in the bone, are required to stabilise it.

For soft tissue injuries, the recovery time is typically much shorter, around 10 to 15 days. These injuries involve muscles and skin rather than bones, leading to faster healing unless vital structures like arteries or veins are involved. “In the case of Govinda, if he had sustained a bone injury, his recovery could extend to at least a month,” Dr Gupta said.

Assessing the damage: The bullet’s path

Emergency medicine expert Dr Tamorish Kole emphasises that the recovery and surgical approaches depend heavily on the bullet’s trajectory and its impact on surrounding tissues. Critical factors include whether the bullet passed through the body or remained lodged inside and whether it damaged any major arteries or veins. Imaging scans such as X-rays or CT scans are crucial for determining the bullet’s path and assessing potential damage to bones, organs, or vessels.

In lower leg injuries like Govinda’s, the risk is higher if an artery or vein is hit, which can complicate recovery and increase the need for vascular surgery. Fortunately, in this case, it seems the bullet avoided critical blood vessels, minimising the complexity of the situation.

Factors affecting severity: Type of firearm and location

Dr Amit Gupta, trauma surgeon at AIIMS, highlights that the type of firearm and the location of the gunshot wound significantly influence the extent of the damage. High-velocity firearms, such as assault rifles, cause far more damage than low-velocity ones like revolvers. The distance from which the shot was fired also plays a key role; closer shots typically result in more severe injuries due to the higher impact force.

In Govinda’s case, the bullet struck below the knee—a region where bullet wounds are rarely life-threatening, Dr Gupta said. The leg’s thick muscle tissue and deep-seated nerves offer some protection, reducing the chances of damage to vital structures. However, if the bullet had shattered on impact or damaged nerves, the recovery process could be more complex, potentially requiring long-term rehabilitation.

For patients with bone fractures, surgery is often required to stabilise the injury, with metal plates or screws placed in the bone to aid healing. According to Dr Gupta, weight-bearing can typically begin within a month to a month and a half if recovery progresses smoothly, even in cases involving vascular injuries. Nerve damage, however, presents a more challenging scenario, as nerves do not regenerate easily, requiring extended rehabilitation.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.