A patient’s story:
In August 2004, after a motorcycle accident in September 2003, my right lower leg was amputated. I lived with a socket brace for 21 years, and I did absolutely everything I could with it. From simple walking to skiing, wakeboarding, kickboxing, running, obstacle courses, and you name it, I was there doing it. But often with a little pain, a pressure point, or an infection, and always with a sweaty stump. Whether I was sitting quietly or running many kilometers, my stump always sweated. This meant I had to dry and clean my liner and stump several times a day. Moreover, I didn’t like going outside anymore when the outside temperature was 20 degrees Celsius or higher. And summer vacations became more of a torment than a relaxation. In addition, I was experiencing increasing lower back pain.
About 10 years ago, I first heard about Osseointegration, but I thought it was too risky. Then, in 2021, I met a running buddy (also a blade runner) who had undergone the procedure, which got me thinking.
In 2025, I started exploring the possibilities. I soon found AOFE Clinics through the Military Rehabilitation Center (MRC) in Doorn. After a pleasant and insightful conversation, the process was initiated. Following additional radiological examinations, the implant was ordered, and the procedure followed a few months later.
On September 15, 2025, I underwent surgery. I went home the next day and spent four weeks recovering with daily wound care. After that, I began rehabilitation at the MRC, put the prosthesis back in, and immediately started 100% weight-bearing. Rehabilitation consisted of twice a week, with practice at home in between using crutches and later canes. After about two months, I was walking completely without any aids again.
The entire process, from the initial intake to the present, has been supervised by case manager and expert patient Dicky de Best. Dicky has had an osseointegrated prosthesis for over 10 years, speaks from experience, explains everything in detail, and is always available for questions. A very reassuring experience.
At the time of writing, I’m less than four months post-surgery and I’m doing everything again, with more ease than before. The feeling is much more direct, stable, and natural. Cycling, walking, sitting, getting up—everything is more comfortable and getting better every day. I’ve given up high-impact sports for the time being, and also running, which used to be my passion. Despite this, I consciously chose to do this. Being able to move more comfortably is more valuable to me, and there are still plenty of sports I can do. Currently, research is also being done to determine whether running is possible with osseointegration, so who knows what the future holds. Initially, the focus is on recovery and enjoying the improvement I’m already noticing.
Incidentally, stoma care, rinsing twice a day, is for life. The care is a bit more work than before, but the socket prosthesis, liner, and residual limb also required some care. It’s part of osseointegration and is now becoming a daily routine. In the evening, I can “click” the leg off in two seconds and sleep. And summer hasn’t even started yet… I can’t wait to see how much more comfortable it will be without a liner or socket!
