The London Prosthetics Centre (LPC) recently hosted an event titled “Exploring Upper Limb Osseointegration,” bringing together over 40 attendees, including surgeons, prosthetists, occupational therapists, solicitors, case managers and users to discuss the evolving landscape of osseointegration and its impact on upper limb prosthetic rehabilitation. The session featured presentations from leading experts and users whose experiences offered a comprehensive view of this life-changing surgical advancement.
The Surgical Perspective: Progress and Patient Choice
The event opened with Mr Edmund Fitzgerald O’Connor, Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon at Guy’s & St Thomas’ and King’s College London Hospitals. Mr O’Connor highlighted the remarkable progress achieved over three decades of surgical innovation in osseointegration.
He emphasised that while the procedure is not suitable for every patient, for those with an active, healthy lifestyle and commitment to rehabilitation, osseointegration can be life-changing. He noted that continued advancements in implant design have led to a significant reduction in infection risks, a trend that continues as materials and techniques evolve.
Advances in Prosthetic Integration
Next, attendees heard from Stewe Jönsson, Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist (CPO) from Integrum, who has over 30 years of experience in fitting prostheses following osseointegration. Having worked with osseointegrated implants since the 1990s, Jönsson has been central to their technical development and refinement.
He explained how the latest implants and prosthetic componentry allow patients to begin training within just three to four weeks post-surgery, accelerating rehabilitation and strengthening. Beyond the clinical benefits, Jönsson highlighted that osseointegration can also offer a cost benefit, reducing long-term reliance on traditional socket technology.
Karin Kalvered, also from Integrum, discussed the continuous evolution of implant design, noting that today’s implants are both smaller and stronger than their predecessors. Integrum’s research and development process is directly informed by feedback from surgeons and users, ensuring that even small adjustments, such as refinements to the implant surface, can significantly improve skin healing and comfort. Karin emphasised that it is these ongoing insights that drive the global advancement and success of Integrum implants.
Real-World Success Stories
Jim Ashworth-Beaumont, an upper limb amputee and osseointegration user, shared his personal journey. Before surgery, Jim was able to wear his prosthesis for only around 25% of his working day. Since receiving his osseointegrated implant, he now wears his Espire Elbow comfortably throughout the day, connecting a variety of terminal devices to suit his professional and personal needs.
Jim returned to work just five weeks after surgery and now enjoys full shoulder movement and improved reach, greatly enhancing his independence. His prosthetist, Alan McDougall, praised Jim’s determination and commitment to rehabilitation, highlighting how his dedication to training and physiotherapy was key to his successful outcome.
The Ultimate Duo: Steeper and TASKA
Lorna Aitken, Product Manager at Steeper, discussed the role of the Espire Pro Elbow as a powerful prosthetic hub following osseointegration. She explained the benefits of the Espire Pro and TASKA hands for this patient cohort and highlighted the success of this product combination for many users in Ukraine.
Speaking alongside Lorna was Oleksandr, a prosthesis user from Ukraine, who shared his experience of gaining greater reach, control, and strength through osseointegration. Just four months after surgery, he had returned to competitive sports, particularly enjoying archery, demonstrating the life-enhancing potential of this technology for active individuals.
The Role of Technology and Teamwork in Client Care
Carl Cato, Prosthetist at LPC, shared his learnings from years of experience with Osseointegration and reinforced the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach. Collaboration between surgeons, prosthetists, and therapists ensures each stage is coordinated for optimal outcomes, from surgical planning to prosthetic fabrication and long-term rehabilitation.
He closed his presentation by showcasing the brand new state-of-the-art facilities now available to clients at the London Prosthetics Centre. Boasting three private, fully equipped fitting rooms and a spacious rehabilitation suite where clients can trial new prosthetic limbs and engage in multidisciplinary treatments. Services include physiotherapy, psychotherapy, and musculoskeletal therapies, all under one roof, ensuring continuity of care and optimal outcomes for every client.
What is Osseointegration and What Does it Mean For Amputees?
The “Exploring Upper Limb Osseointegration” event highlighted the transformative potential of this surgical innovation. Through collaboration between surgeons, prosthetists, researchers, and patients, the field continues to advance rapidly, driven by science, technology, and shared human experience.
If you would like to explore Osseointegration as an option for a client or yourself, please get in touch with the team at the London Prosthetics Centre for more information.