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Szpital na Klinach is the only one in Poland and one of 8 centers in the world that performs osseointegration procedures. Patients after limb amputation can count on normal, everyday functioning without the cumbersome funnel prosthesis. Osseointegration is a modern surgical method that allows the prosthesis to be permanently anchored in the human skeletal system.
Press material
What is osseointegration?
Ossteointegration is the scientific term for bone ingrowth into an implant. The implant is permanently, surgically integrated with the bone, which then grows into the implant. The external denture is attached to the metal extension (connector) of the implant. Ossteointegration is successfully used in orthopedics in patients after upper and lower limb amputation, which are a consequence of congenital defects, diseases such as atherosclerosis, but also traffic accidents, as well as those that occur at work, such as electric shocks or crushing. The treatments are especially recommended for active people and those who want to return to work related to physical activity.
Advantages of osseointegration in numbers
According to the results of new research published in 2021. at JBJS Open Access by researchers at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, leg amputees who receive bone anchored prostheses report a high level of satisfaction compared to those who receive conventional funnel prostheses. As noted by Dr. Horst Aschoff – one of the few specialists in the world who has been dealing with the topic of osseointegration for over 15 years – Thanks to the direct, skeletal connection of the prosthesis to the limb, amputees report a significant improvement in functionality, comfort, balance, proprioception and even emotional connection with a limb.
The Human Amputation Questionnaire was used for the study, and researchers also collected data on a range of quality of life indicators, including patient-reported functional activity, mental health, pain and self-image, as well as adverse events such as serious infections, fractures at the implant site and other complications. The researchers found that the results improved significantly throughout the study period. Prosthetic mobility increased from 49,7 to 81,4 and prosthetic problems decreased from 46,4 to 9,1. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in implant function, as measured by 2-minute and 6-minute walk tests. The bone bonding of the implant was so strong that patients were able to return to physical activity quickly, including vigorous, strenuous exercise such as jogging within six months to one year after surgery. As Dr. Horst Aschoff emphasizes:
The increase in the results confirmed in the scientific study certainly confirms the benefits of osseointegration, but does not necessarily reflect what we actually see in the day-to-day hospital. Smiles on people’s faces, expressions of gratitude for how much their lives have changed are the actual evidence of patients who, thanks to osseointegration treatments, managed to improve the quality of life and even completely change it.
Why is it worth using the osseointegration treatment?
The Krakow Hospital in Klinach is the only medical center in Poland and one of 8 in the world that offers this innovative procedure and provides a full spectrum of care. Our multidisciplinary team consists of experts in the field of orthopedics, plastic surgery, prosthetics, rehabilitation and other fields who work together to guide the patient through the treatment process – says the attending physician Dr. Wojciech Piwek.
Osseointegration eliminates the need for a conventional hip prosthesis, thus solving typical prosthetic problems, such as excessive abrasions and skin ulcers, pain, pressure, painful neuromas, and sweating. Additionally, due to the fact that the implant is placed directly in the bone, the patient is provided with better osseoperception – the ability to feel differences between surfaces, and osseopprorioception – the ability to sense where the prosthesis is located without looking at it. Osseointegration also allows the bone and muscle mass in the stumps to slowly return to a level close to the physiological level, because the bones and muscles of the endoprosthesis are actively used, thanks to which the patient becomes stronger and also increases his mobility. The nature of the implant also allows for a better range of motion compared to traditional prostheses, thanks to which the gait becomes more natural, as well as improving the comfort of sitting and the speed of use of the prosthesis.
Undoubtedly, the possibility of improving the quality of life of patients is one of the key values for which we have decided to expand the offer of Szpital na Klinach in the field of orthopedics. It turns out that biocompatible prosthetic implants integrated with the bone allow not only to improve physical fitness, but also increase mental well-being. The operation requires a well-trained team and excellent operator skills, but each of them hides the joy and satisfaction of our patients who, thanks to osseointegration, have a chance for a better quality of life – says Joanna Szyman – president of the Neo Hospital Group, which includes Szpital na Klinach.
The first one-stage osseointegration procedure in Poland
As a standard, osseointermediation procedures are carried out in two stages, i.e. they require two surgical interventions: the first, during which the implant is inserted into the bone, and the second, during which the connector between the external and internal prosthesis is fixed. This month, Dr. Horst Aschoff performed the first single-stage osseointegration procedure in Poland at the Szpital na Klinach (Szpital na Klinach).
Performing such a procedure is possible only in patients with good bone quality and anatomical conditions, and the decision to perform the procedure during one operation is made intraoperatively. The decisive advantage of the one-stage procedure is lower anesthesia burden on the body, limitation of surgical interventions, and thus minimization of the risk of perioperative complications, less stress on the patient’s side, as well as one hospital stay and faster recovery – says the attending physician Dr. Łukasz Kawik.