George shares his experiences before and after his bone-anchor surgery in his femur.
George lost his right leg above the knee in an accident. Initially, he tried using a conventional prosthesis to help him mobilise. Unfortunately, the process of fitting a prosthetic limb and using it proved to be an ordeal. The socket that was used to secure the prosthesis was uncomfortable and painful at times. It was also very heavy. Since George also suffered from breathing problems (due to a pre-existing lung), the amount of effort he needed to expend to walk was more than he could manage. Therefore, he was forced to mobilise with a wheelchair only. This greatly limited the quality of his life, especially since he was retired and had hoped to enjoy travelling with his partner before the amputation occurred.
George said, “I started searching on the internet and heard about this thing where people could have these inserts put into their legs, which would enable them not to have to wear sockets. I wanted to be up and walking. I wanted to be able to dance with my wife and to get back to some of what we used to have.”
After a successful operation to insert a bone-anchor into his femur, George shares his experience of undergoing osseointegration surgery.
“Absolutely awesome. I can go places that I couldn’t go to before, especially if there are no lifts or escalators available. I can go up and down stairs, which I couldn’t do in a wheelchair. It’s given me a lot more independence. I’m getting out and about and doing things with my wife and enjoying (much more of) the life that I used to enjoy before my amputation. So yeah, it’s great.”
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