Three-hour legs kick waiting times
Prosthetic technology being trialled at Caulfield Hospital has lower limb amputees up and walking on a new prosthetic leg within three hours.
Prosthetics manager Jim Lavranos said the technology has the potential to wipe months off waiting times for new legs.
“Rather than going through the process of the traditional plaster cast, this socket is made directly onto the patient and cures within an hour… then we do all the trimming and assembling behind the scenes,” he said.
“This can all happen within three hours as opposed to two months which is fantastic because longer wait times can lead to enhanced anxiety not to mention the sooner, we get the patient up and going, the sooner we can get them into rehab.”
Jean was one of seven test patients to receive a leg using the technology last week and said it was a fantastic innovation.
“To be able to come in here for a few hours and actually leave with a new leg is wonderful, it’s not something I’d have considered possible… in the past I’ve had to wait a while,” Jean said.
“It’s an incredibly personal thing so when I was offered the chance to be part of this trial, I was incredibly eager and the end product feels fantastic… the foot it a little different, but I can attach the one I have on my old leg to it.”
Jim said the patient approval rating over the course of the three-day trial was well over 60 per cent.
“There’s benefits to both the patients and us with this technology so overall this has been a promising start to introducing this to our team and patients.”
