Hi-tech leg-up can change a child’s life
● For years Anthony, who had his right leg amputated at the age of three as a result of a congenital defect, had to stand on the sidelines and watch his able-bodied friends play.
Today, the 16-year-old is able to run freely after high-activity prosthetic feet were given to him and a handful of other young amputees as part of a research project.
Stellenbosch University academics aimed to assess the short-term and long-term effects of new hi-tech prostheses on the physical activity and wellbeing of children in disadvantaged communities.
They found that experiencing physical activity and sport not only had a significant impact on how the children perceived sport as adults, but benefited their health and improved their social integration.
Anthony was one of eight children who received a prosthetic, a hi-tech carbon-fibre blade with a heel, donated by orthopaedic equipment manufacturer Össur.
Researchers from the university’s division of orthopaedic surgery and the Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine tested the children’s balance, gait patterns, maximal walking or running speed, stair-climbing and psychosocial wellbeing.
Lead researcher Gemma Haywood, who conducted the study for her master’s degree in sport science, said small changes were apparent after four weeks.
“The study shows that after just a short period of time the children were able to adapt to their new limb.
“Most of the children had an active lifestyle, such as walking to school, specifically due to coming from a low socioeconomic background. The new foot was therefore to enhance their quality of life.”
But Haywood said the high-activity feet cost between R60,000 and R120,000, meaning they are out of reach for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. “I think it creates awareness that maybe we need to find a similar solution that is more accessible and reusable to adequately give the children their best overall solution,” she said.