Osseointergration is the right choice for David

Former soldier David Sneddon has become the third single-leg amputee to undergo osseointegration surgery in Scotland through the NHS. David was seriously injured by a bullet from a Taliban sniper while on a routine patrol in Afghanistan in 2010.

The decision was made to amputate his right leg above the knee two years later, while battling infection after two failed knee replacements. Subsequently, David used a prosthetic leg for eight years before pains and sores led him to consider osseointegration.

Also known as Direct Skeletal Fixation, the procedure involves inserting a permanent titanium rod into the bone so a prosthetic limb can be attached to an external fitting, doing away with the need for a socket.

“In early 2018 I began getting lots of socket problems: my socket kept dropping off, and would dig into my leg, causing pain. I play a lot of golf and volunteer three days a week, so I’m quite active and the socket problems were holding me back,” said the 42 year old from Bathgate.

Since undergoing osseointegration surgery last October, David has been exercising on a daily basis to rebuild his muscle strength, and has been attending hospital appointments three times a week. In March, he had already managed to build up enough strength to walk unaided.

“The first 12 weeks were quite intense. I was going to physio five days a week for four hours at a time to work on my glute and core muscles. It’s still early days, so the bone is tender and I have some muscle pain, but the pros already outweigh the cons. I’ve already been able to walk three miles with the aid of just one crutch – which I couldn’t do before the operation – and I’ve not got the discomfort I had with the socket.”