Osseointegration Prosthetics

Always Remember: You Have the Power of Choice

The folks that choose MCOP become members of a much larger community committed to their ongoing health, happiness, and wellbeing – and who wouldn’t want a prosthetic company that’s 100% invested in your outcomes?

By choosing to Move Forward with MCOP, you’ll receive:

• The knowledge that you’re working with some of the most experienced prosthetists in the country when it comes to complex or unique limb loss.
• Expert guidance and industry-leading knowledge on the latest prosthetic technologies and activity-specific devices.
• The convenience of an in-house gym and shared services, complete with amputee-specific physical therapy services.
• The added comfort of working with people who truly care.

Over the years, we’ve seen an increasing interest in osseointegration prosthetic options, and the popularity of these systems continues to grow as the technology and surgical procedures rapidly advance. Therapy and rehabilitation for osseointegrated prosthetics is also a bit different than with other prosthetic options. But what exactly is osseointegration prosthetics?

What is Osseointegration Prosthetics?

Osseointegration refers to a direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-carrying implant.

For amputees, it involves a procedure in which a titanium rod is implanted inside of the bone of a residual limb. This osseointegrated titanium rod then serves as the means to attach a prosthetic appliance, and attachment device options are comparable to those prosthetic devices used with traditional socket attachments. 

While osseointegrated prosthesis options are relatively new when compared to other prosthetic systems, they’ve quickly gained global acceptance and popularity among prosthetists due to the many unique advantages they provide over other systems, including mobility, strength, and ease-of-use.

How does it work?

Titanium is an extremely biocompatible metal with unique bioactive abilities and has been used for medical applications since the 1950s. The surface of titanium naturally adheres to cells in the body, making it the ideal material for physically bonding directly to bone. Titanium is also resistant to corrosion that could be caused by bodily fluids.

When an osseointegration amputee undergoes surgery, a titanium rod is inserted which forms a strong attachment to the surrounding bone. In many ways, it’s almost as if you’re anchoring an entirely new bone to extend out from the existing residual limb. Meanwhile, there are two main types of osseointegration implants used in limb prosthetics:

• Screw Shaped (OPRA) – Similar to a dental implant, the titanium rod is actually shaped like a screw and is screwed into the bone. These titanium screws aren’t inserted quite as far as press fit prosthesis implants, but screw-shaped implants do require a longer healing time to reach solid integration.
• Press Fit Prosthesis (ILP) – ILP implants resemble a more traditional metal rod without the screw threads and is typically inserted deeper to the bone than an OPRA implant. A press fit prosthesis also has a larger load-bearing capacity, and there are several different types of press-fit prostheses for different applications.

When is it used?

Though popular in dental applications for several decades, osseointegrated implants are a relatively newer option in comparison to conventional socket prosthetic systems. For amputees, the technology and applications of osseointegrated prosthetic systems are constantly improving. At the same time, more patients are switching from externally-worn socket systems to osseointegration systems.

It is worth noting, however, that osseointegration is not an immediate option for new amputees because the necessary surgery cannot occur until about one year after the amputation surgery. If possible, MCOP recommends that patients seeking an osseointegrated system use a socket-based system first. This allows for proper healing to occur, and it also provides the opportunity to first try out a socket system. You may discover that a more traditional (and common) socket-based prosthetic is actually well-suited to meet your needs.

Luckily, you don’t have to rush to make a decision. Whenever you do choose to transition to an osseointegrated system, the process is still the same, regardless of if it takes place today, tomorrow, or five years in the future.

Who uses it?

Most osseointegration procedures are for patients with leg and/or upper-arm amputations, specifically transfemoral (above the knee) or transhumeral (above the elbow). Osseointegration prosthetics are usually only considered after an amputee has already been using a socket-based system and has problems with it. For example, if any of the following issues persist while using a socket system, an osseointegrated system might be a good long-term solution:

• Problems with the socket itself
• Limited mobility
• Discomfort when sitting
• Prosthetic components become easily detached
• Complexities in usage
• General soreness

Advantages over Traditional Socket Attachments

While osseointegration is not suitable for all amputees, it does offer many unique benefits. For amputees, these benefits should be carefully weighed against the disadvantages of osseointegration. They should also be compared to the pros and cons of socket-based systems. After all, making the transition to osseointegration is a big change that should not be taken lightly.

Here are a few of the key advantages provided by osseointegration.

Strengthen Your Residual Limb

Following any amputation, the non-usage of the residual limb can eventually cause it to weaken because of disuse osteoporosis. Even with traditional socket attachments that fit over the limb, the bone is not loaded upon as it would be naturally. This can lead to decreased muscle volume and weakened bones in and around the residual limb. 

A clinic in the Netherlands evaluated bone-remodeling processes and concluded that the bone around an osseointegrated implant becomes thicker and stronger with continued (and typically increased) usage of the area. With the titanium rod serving as an extension of your existing bone, using an osseointegrated prosthetic attachment has been proven to strengthen the residual limb over time. This is because the natural load of the existing bone is restored as amputees begin using it more for load-bearing applications. With this usage, the stump muscles are reactivated and strengthened, which helps to further stabilize the nearby bone and promote fusion between the implant and the bone. 

Eliminate Certain Skin Issues

One of the primary drawbacks of traditional socket prosthetics is the unpleasant process of conditioning the skin and tissues around the residual limb. Even when the skin becomes appropriately formed and toughened, rashes, blisters, pressure sores and other issues are still common and, as a result, an amputee will often limit their prosthetic usage.

Osseointegrated prosthetics don’t cause the same types of skin irritation issues because the skin itself is not wrapped up to receive a socket device. Instead, the structural support for the prosthesis is reliant upon the bone structure in which it is attached. When skin issues are reduced, the amputee is more likely to get additional usage out of their prosthetic system.

Easier & More Efficient to Use

Depending on the amputation level, traditional socket attachments are typically a bit more cumbersome to attach, use and detach when compared to an osseointegrated prosthetic system. This is partially due to various socket-related attachments and accessories needed for a comfortable fit (sleeves, wraps, etc.) during usage. 

For example, a 2011 study of 22 osseointegrated prosthesis patients in comparison to socket-based devices showed that patients with lower-limb amputations:  

• Nearly doubled their prosthetic usage (measured in hours per week) 
• Walked significantly faster and farther than before 
• Used 18% less energy while walking 
• Reported improved quality of life 

Ease of use and usage efficiency are also closely linked to enhanced stability and mobility.

Enhances Stability & Mobility

In lower limbs especially, osseointegration offers more overall mobility and stability which helps with walking and standing. The amputee’s natural standing posture is often restored with this weight-bearing advantage, as is the intrinsic stability.

Osseoperception

Osseoperception occurs when a patient regains their proprioception, which is the unconscious perception of the position of the body, movement and spatial orientation in relation to the external environment. This means that patients regain some of their ability to naturally feel things, such as sensing the surface characteristics of something they are walking on, like grass, carpet or uneven pavement. This promotes safer and more confident movements, even in unfamiliar areas or dim light.

Disadvantages

An osseointegration prosthesis is not right for everyone, and sometimes it’s the disadvantages that sway an amputee to continue with socket prosthetics. Before any amputee considers an osseointegrated system, they should first understand some of these disadvantages. 

Lengthy Rehabilitation Time

As previously mentioned, the osseointegration process cannot begin until about one year after the initial amputation surgery. For this reason alone, amputees should start out with a traditional socket-based system after their amputation – otherwise, they would be living without any prosthetic. Still, using a socket system involves its own unique rehabilitation and therapy procedures separate from the therapies used when undergoing a transition to an osseointegrated prosthetic.

Even so, osseointegration surgery can sometimes involve a much longer recovery and rehabilitation time frame depending on the amputation level, amputee bone structural makeup and the type of osseointegration implant. Before the new prosthetic system can be fully utilized, the bone needs to completely fuse to the titanium rod to form a strong bond. Forming this bond takes time, during which load bearing is steadily introduced to ensure the residual limb strengthens properly.

From the initial implant surgery date to the return of full strength and mobility, the entire process can take anywhere from 2 to 12 months or longer, with full weight bearing at anywhere from six weeks to 12 months.

Additional Risks

Though the benefits do outweigh the risks, there are still some unique complications associated with osseointegration surgeries and usage, including putting amputees at a higher risk for infection and bone fractures. 

Preparing for your Osseointegration Prosthetic Transition

For any amputee, a new prosthetic system is a big change. So, before any osseointegration surgery is scheduled, you must first determine (with the help of a doctor) if you’re a suitable candidate for this type of prosthetic system. If you are a recent or soon-to-be amputee, the earliest you can have osseointegration implant surgery is one year after your amputation procedure. 

Also, if you’re already using another form of prosthesis, then it might be possible to continue using the same or similar device in the future. But, you should first discuss this with your prosthetists as it could affect insurance coverage and the type of device-ready attachment that is connected to the titanium implant.

Insurance 

Of course, making sure your insurance will be approved beforehand is a must. So, before any procedure is scheduled, you’ll have to navigate the pathways of obtaining the proper insurance coverage for your device. If you have a work-related injury, your team can work with your workmen’s compensation case manager to obtain the best device for your needs. Whether you have private or government insurance, VA, Tricare, or Medicare/Medicaid, most insurance companies offer options for osseointegrated prosthetics.

Following this decision, prosthetic insurance experts will work to obtain pre-authorization from your insurance regarding the products that are best suited for your lifestyle. It is also important to have your team check your benefits to make sure that there are no exclusions in your insurance policy.

Talk to a Prosthetic Insurance Expert 

Pre-Surgery Conditioning

As opposed to preparing for a socket prosthetic, where the pre-surgical physical therapy is a central focus of the overall process (immediately following amputation surgery), preparing for osseointegration surgery is not as intensive since that initial conditioning phase has usually already passed and the stump muscles have been conditioned. However, the conditioning and rehabilitation exercises used with other prosthetics are certainly beneficial when preparing for an osseointegrated prosthesis.

Osseointegration Surgery

There is no way around it: bone surgery is absolutely necessary. The surgical procedure involves inserting a titanium rod directly into the inside of the bone of your amputated limb. If needed, the length of your stump bone could be altered in the surgery and the surrounding soft tissue corrected.  

Depending on whether you have an OPRA or ILP prosthetic, the surgery specifics and rehabilitation timeframes can vary. Whether it’s a screw-shaped or press-fit prosthesis, once the rod is fully inserted into your residual bone, a small separate skin incision is made to allow the surgical team to connect an osseointegration adaptor, which will later connect to your chosen prosthetic device.

This skin penetration point is called a stoma. The stoma incision area will naturally drain and you should expect a small amount of discharge during early recovery. In-hospital recovery time can range, but typical stays are around 3 to 5 days. During this time, you’ll receive instructions on how to clean and care for the stoma area. During your first few weeks of recovery, MCOP prosthetists will prepare your prosthetic attachment that will connect to the osseointegration implant.

Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

One of the most critical phases of your osseointegration transition is the months following surgery. This is when you’ll work daily to strengthen the bone and surrounding tissues and condition them for future usage. For the first few weeks, MCOP therapists, rehab specialists, and prosthetists will work closely with you every day to develop a rehabilitation plan that gradually increases your strength and prepares you for living with your new osseointegrated prosthetic system.

Everyone’s rehabilitation plan is different, but you’ll learn how to:

• gradually increase the load to your prosthetic,
• connect and disconnect your prosthetic device,
• walk with crutches (for lower-limb amputees),
• keep the area clean,
• use the new prosthetic system during this critical recovery phase.

Depending on your amputation level and the type of osseointegrated implant, this intensive daily rehabilitation could last up to 6 weeks initially, but patients should continue their daily exercises for several months as they gradually introduce more load-bearing activities. As mentioned earlier, the healing timeline is quite different for OPRA and ILP type implants.

With the OPRA type of implant, full load-bearing activities cannot begin until 6 to 12 months. ILP implants have a larger load-bearing capacity and amputees can usually introduce full load-bearing activities within a few weeks after surgery.

Regardless, the rehabilitation process is not to be taken lightly, and patient perseverance is key to reaching your physical potential with the new prosthesis. Many patients experience extreme muscle pains for up to a year after surgery, especially for those who’ve begun using a new system that engages muscle groups that weren’t previously in use. This is normal, but if pain persists well past your full load-bearing threshold, you should talk with a medical professional.

Additional Information

As you can see, similar to other prosthesis options, determining whether osseointegration is the right solution for you is dependant on your unique amputation situation and your personal preferences.

What are your goals? Let’s talk about how to reach them together!