The amputee feels the leg, arm or thumb again and recovers its mobility leaving behind most of the common orthopedic prosthesis´ problems.

BENEFITS OF THE IMPLANT
The use of common prosthesis may cause a series of problems such as perspiration, pain, bad smell, bothering noises and skin irritation. Furthermore, difficulties to install and remove the prosthesis and the inevitable skin damage due to rubbing may lead in severe cases to a new surgery.

The type of prosthesis used in the implant of orthopedic leg is a cutting edge prosthesis which does not cause the problems described above. Patients with this new implant technology leave behind the wheelchair and diminish their dependence of the crutches recovering their ease of movement and quality of life.

After all surgeries are complete and the patient is discharged there are two very important requirements which must be kept:

• Rigorous hygiene in the base of the implant
• Not to be exposed to activities that will over demand the support of the artificial leg because this may fracture the bone where the implant is inserted forcing the patient to go back to conventional prosthesis forever.

The rehabilitation treatment must be a step by step process to gradually increase the usage of the new prosthesis.

People with diabetes, with severe bone deformities and smokers are not eligible for this surgery. Nor are those people suffering from peripheral vascular pathologies and mental health alterations because of the high responsibility and personal commitment required for the success of this treatment.

THE SURGERY
The treatment consists of two surgeries six months apart of each other. On the first surgery, a specially designed titanium implant is mounted into the bone of the thigh beginning the process of Osseointegration. After the surgery, the residual extremity will need between 6 to 8 weeks to heal. In most cases, after the extremity has healed, it is possible to keep using conventional prosthetics although the existing cavity may need to be adjusted or replaced. This work can be performed in our workshop or in a specialized workshop in the US.

On the second surgery, a connector is screwed to the implant. The patient must stay in bed in the hospital for 10 to 14 days with the limb elevated in order to speed up healing and skin regeneration. Bandages are changed every 3 to 4 days.

The surgical procedure is carried out on muscles and soft tissues as well, which means that the patient should not do any exercise during the following 6 weeks.

WHY IS CHILE THE ONLY COUNTRY IN AMERICA CARRYING OUT THIS SURGERY?
Hospital del Trabajador in Chile is the nation´s center for rehabilitation, highly specialized in trauma and orthopedic surgery.

A medical team from this hospital was trained in Sweden by Rickard Brånemark, MD PhD, a son of Per-Ingvar Brånemark, who invented the Osseointegration technique.

Doctors Rainhold García, Jessica Castillo, Carlos Sandoval and Vanja Sturiza staffed at Hospital del Trabajador, are pioneers in the practice of the Osseointegration technique and have had amazing results. The Swedish hospital where this technique was born references all their prospect patients from Latin America to our hospital due to our experience and successful results.