Amputee Ready for Operation: Bionic Leg New Zealand First: Osseointegration

[Wayne Renardson]

 via Stuff.Co New Zealand

Amputee Phil Coulson is recovering in Nelson ahead of a second
operation next month which will see him receive the first "bionic
leg" in New Zealand.

The Nelson father of three had his first operation in Sydney on March
21. Surgeons opened his stump and implanted a metal stem directly
into his femur of his amputated leg.

A second operation on May 2 will see his leg re-opened and another
part, called an adapter, connected to the metal stem in the femur.
The adapter leads out of the stump and the knee and leg components of
the artificial leg fit directly to it.

The operation is only done in Sydney and Germany and is available for
amputees with above-the-knee amputations.

Mr Coulson's right leg was amputated above the knee after a
motorcycle accident near Dovedale in October 2010.

Mr Coulson said the first operation went well. He was awake for the
operation after electing to have an epidural. He will be on crutches
until May 2.

The rest of the story here:

http://fwd4.me/0xpG

Wayne Renardson


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