Pioneering operation for international patients
The London Clinic, a private hospital and charity in the UK, has launched a new surgical service for amputees across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
It is the first hospital in the UK to offer the surgery that aims to improve the function of the limb and reduce pain and skin-related complications. The London Clinic said that military veterans who have been seriously injured in combat are likely to be suitable candidates for surgery in London, when previously they have had to travel to Australia or the US for treatment. The pioneering operation is called osseointegration and involves anchoring the prosthesis directly into the thigh bone using the OPRA (Osseointegrated Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees) implant system, designed by Professor Rickard Brånemark.
Mr Paul Culpan, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, who will be leading the surgical service at The London Clinic, said: “There’s robust clinical evidence that osseointegration, a pioneering operation for patients with amputations that removes the need for a socket prosthesis, significantly improves quality of life and long-term health. As the prosthesis is directly connected to the bone it can dramatically improve limb function as well as patient psychology, reducing dependency, improving lifestyle and providing an opportunity to return to work and a more normal life. We are proud to be able to offer patients from across the Middle East the opportunity to undergo osseointegration by our experienced trauma surgeons in Harley Street and lead in establishing a world-class osseointegration centre at The London Clinic.” The surgical service will be showcased at the Arab Health 2019 exhibition and congress in Dubai at the end of January.