Osseointegration: Frequently Asked Questions.

Most patients will require only one single stage surgery to fit the implant. For more complex cases, where it is in the patient’s best interest, the decision may be taken to complete osseointegration over two stages, separated by a period of months. Patients with very short residual limbs may also require lengthening prior to osseointegration.

Even during single stage surgery, it is often possible to complete additional procedures alongside the fitting of the implant, which are designed to improve patient outcomes.

Osseointegration is possible for people with upper and lower limb loss, as well as those who have lost fingers to amputation, even where the residual bone is very short. 

For the lower limb, osseointegration is possible for

• Above-knee (transfemoral) amputation
• Below-knee (transtibial) amputation

For the upper limb, osseointegration is possible for

• Above elbow (transhumeral) amputation
• Below elbow (transradial) amputation
• Digital/Finger amputation.

Osseointegration Group is also the only team experienced in complex osseointegration at the shoulder (scapula) or hip (pelvic) for people with whole limb loss.

For people who have been unable to benefit from other types of treatment, and where the limb is not salvageable, amputation with subsequent osseointegration may be a viable therapeutic option.

Where this may be the case, you will be invited to complete individual assessments with members of our multidisciplinary team, including a pain specialist, psychologist, prosthetist and physiotherapist, to ensure that amputation is the right choice for you.

In short, no.

No two osseointegration procedures are the same, because no two patients are the same; varying as they do in the nature and level of their amputation, the time since amputation, the quality of their bone, the presence or absence of additional health issues and, of course, their individual needs.

Accounting for these individual factors also means that the costs associated with osseointegration can vary from patient to patient.  

Conditions like insulin-dependent diabetes can negatively impact the healing process. For this reason, patients with diabetes these conditions can be at higher risk of implant failure.

However, recent advances in surgical technique and technology mean that patients with well-controlled diabetes are now able to undergo osseointegration.

No. Antibiotics are a key part of our post-operative infection reduction protocol, but are not typically used in the longer term for patients without a history of recurrent infection.

Yes, absolutely!

Once your wound has healed and you have received the go-ahead from your surgeon, you are encouraged to swim in the ocean as the saltwater will help with the healing process. You should avoid freshwater (rivers, lakes and pools) and chlorinated public swimming pools for around a year after your surgery, due to the much higher risk of infection.

When you do start swimming again, it is important that you contain to exercise good hygiene around your stoma by rinsing with soap and clean water.

The Osseointegrated Prosthetic Limb (OPL) implant is compatible with a very wide variety of external prosthetic limb types.

Which one you choose will be determined by your prosthetist in line with your goals around safety and functionality.

Osseointegration, like any surgery, carries a degree of risk. Though shown to be a safe and effective therapeutic option, some patients may experience complications following their osseointegration surgery. 

You can read more about potential complications, and how we minimise your risk, here. 

Yes.

It is possible to have the implant removed and return to use of a traditional socket-mounted prosthesis.