For patients who face amputations, the recovery process may take many months and can be filled with physical, emotional and social challenges. To make the process easier on patients, Memorial Hermann is offering a new procedure called osseointegration, in which the surgeon places a metal implant into the bone that can then directly attach the prosthetic leg to the patient’s skeleton. Vinay Vanodia, MD, talks about the procedure and the rehabilitation process.
Osseointegration: A New Surgical Option for Patients with Limb Loss
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To see people who gave up on walking, because of problems with traditional prostheses, go through this procedure and rehabilitation and get their lives back is very gratifying for me and the entire team.
Dr. Vanodia: It’s the installment of a metal implant into the femur bone of an individual with an above-knee amputation, so, over time, the metal integrates into the bone and becomes one unit. The surgery involves two stages. The first stage is where the femur bone is prepared to receive the metal implant and it is placed into the bone. Patients then wait three months to allow the metal to integrate with the bone. During the second surgery, surgeons screw in a titanium abutment that will come through the skin and attach directly to a prosthetic knee and foot.
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Q: What is osseointegration?
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Dr. Vanodia: Osseointegration is a great option for individuals having socket fit issues with an above-knee amputation. Osseointegration will not give patients more strength, however, so they have to have a certain level of function and strength before being considered. Patients also need to be in good health because they are going in for two major surgeries. Afterward, they need to be diligent about cleaning the metal piece that is on the outside of the leg. Cleaning it every day is necessary to avoid infections. Also, if a patient is very active, doing sports such as rock climbing or putting excessive pressure through the metal, or if they are frequently going into a hot tub or public pool, this procedure is probably not the best. However, for those patients who are looking for a more comfortable way to perform daily activities and return to a more active lifestyle and feel that they are hindered by a traditional prosthetic socket, this is a great procedure. I believe it can make a huge difference in the lives of these patients.
Q: Is osseointegration a good option for every person who suffers with limb loss?
TIRR Memorial Hermann offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care that addresses the individual needs of life-altering injury or illness. Continually recognized as one of America’s best rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, TIRR Memorial Hermann is a national leader in medical rehabilitation and research.
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By StoryStudio on September 7, 2023
A New Step Forward
Osseointegration is game - changing technology for patients with limb loss.
Sponsored by Memorial Hermann
- Vinay Vanodia, MD
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To see people who gave up on walking, because of problems with traditional prostheses, go through this procedure and rehabilitation and get their lives back is very gratifying for me and the entire team.
"
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Sponsored by Memorial Hermann
Memorial Hermann offers new procedure to help improve the quality of life after amputation
Vinay Vanodia, MD
Vinay Vanodia, MD, is an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and the medical director of the Amputee and Limb Loss Rehabilitation Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann.
Dr. Vanodia: This procedure eliminates the need for a traditional prosthetic socket that is created off an impression of the leg. For many patients, the socket is uncomfortable because it hinders range of motion, can cause skin irritation and can make it awkward to sit down. Any change in weight or volume of the limb can cause fit issues and require a new socket, which can take a few months and could hold a patient back from progressing.
Another advantage is called osseoperception. Patients who have undergone osseointegration have more feeling of the ground. If they walk on grass, carpet, or cement, they can feel it because the vibrations travel up to the bone. Many patients have said they like it because the leg feels like a part of them, and they would never go back. In addition, it’s better for a patient’s skin because it is open to air. This causes less skin irritation, possible fungal infections, sweating issues and folliculitis. Because they are more comfortable, they walk more and are more active.
Q: What are the benefits of this procedure?
Dr. Vanodia: About six weeks after the second surgery, patients will start working with a therapist at TIRR Memorial Hermann to gradually begin putting weight through the metal implant and doing exercises that will help stretch their muscles and increase their range of motion. The patient will start with 40 pounds of weight through the implant, progressively increasing the weight by 20 pounds each week until they reach half their body weight. Then the prosthetic knee and foot are attached and patients relearn how to walk over the next several weeks. The whole process can take about 12 to 14 weeks of physical therapy.
Q: What is the rehabilitation process like for patients?
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- Vinay Vanodia, MD
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Q: What is osseointegration?
Dr. Vanodia: It’s the installment of a metal implant into the femur bone of an individual with an above-knee amputation, so, over time, the metal integrates into the bone and becomes one unit. The surgery involves two stages. The first stage is where the femur bone is prepared to receive the metal implant and it is placed into the bone. Patients then wait three months to allow the metal to integrate with the bone. During the second surgery, surgeons screw in a titanium abutment that will come through the skin and attach directly to a prosthetic knee and foot.
Vinay Vanodia, MD
Vinay Vanodia, MD, is an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and the medical director of the Amputee and Limb Loss Rehabilitation Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann.
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