2024-07-23 18:44:01
The Sherbrooke resident’s life has been completely transformed since undergoing osseointegration, where a prosthesis is screwed directly into the tibia, allowing him to continue practicing one of his passions: golf.
Bernard Ouellet is one of about 60 Quebec amputees who underwent the procedure in Canada five years ago.
“It’s like I have two feet,” he concluded on the 10th hole at Estri Milby Golf Club, where he plays four to five times a week.
Bernard Ouellet had his left foot amputated in a work accident in the 1990s, and his stump had a traditional socket prosthesis for nearly 25 years until his doctor offered osseointegration treatment in 2021.
“I said yes immediately. I was one of the first people in the country to receive this message, but in other parts of the world this had been happening for a long time, so I didn’t hesitate. I have no regrets, it changed completely My life,” he explained.
In addition to being more stable, socket prostheses eliminate skin irritation, pain, and discomfort.
“Before this, I fell at least twice a year with great landings. Since I put on my new prosthesis, I haven’t had a fall. And my golf swing is more natural!” he said.
Screenshot/VAT News/QMI AGENCY
Dr. Robert Turcotte, an orthopedic surgeon at CHUM, performed the osseointegration surgery.
“The idea is to put an implant into the bone that will go through the skin and be welded to the bone like a hip or knee prosthesis. It’s not a very complicated operation,” he said.
Osseointegration is covered by health insurance, CNESST and SAAQ. It is not recommended for people with bone problems, those undergoing chemotherapy, and smokers.
“We’ve done 60 of these surgeries over the past five years,” Dr. Turcotte said. One day I think this will become a regular practice. We’re going to amputate you, but for now that’s still a surgery we do on people with socket problems.
Last year, Bernard Ouellet finished third at the Canadian Para Championships. He will compete in the event for the second time next September.
“It’s a really great experience, you play with people who understand your reality, and I took the opportunity to promote osseointegration. It’s very important to me to make this new technology known so that as many people as possible can Benefited from.
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