June 28, 2024
In 2019, Zach's life took an unexpected and drastic turn. Working at a charcoal factory in Branson, Missouri, Zach suffered a catastrophic accident that led to lower leg amputations of both legs. Despite the initial trauma and the subsequent grueling journey of surgeries and rehabilitation, Zach is determined to walk again.
The Accident
Zach’s injuries occurred during a routine day of work. One misstep and he found himself trapped in a machine for three agonizing hours. The machine was taken apart to get Zach out, but the severity of his injuries required immediate and drastic medical interventions. His left leg was amputated on-site, while his right leg followed suit after being airlifted to a hospital in Springfield, MO. Zach endured multiple surgeries, including kidney dialysis and the application of five wound vacs to his right leg. For two months, Zach’s medical team wasn’t sure if he would survive, but he was determined and fought hard, thinking of his kids back home.
Discovering Osseointegration
Zach did make it home to his three kids where the road to recovery was long. During rehabilitation, Zach tried five different prosthetic options for his left limb, all with varying levels of malfunction and discomfort.
Zach’s prosthetist attended a conference where he heard Dr. English present an innovative option for people with limb loss: osseointegration. When presented with the option, Zach was enthusiastic and new hope was born.
Osseointegration limb replacement is a surgical procedure where a metal implant is anchored directly to the bone, which then attaches to a prosthesis. The implant integrates with the surrounding tissue, allowing a new prosthetic limb to serve as a natural extension of the body. This advanced option serves patients where traditional socket prostheses could not, and still allows them to progress to full weight bearing after the two-step surgical process and healing.
The Osseointegration Process
Zach’s osseointegration journey began in November 2023 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Washington University Orthopedic specialists, Ian English, MD, MA, and Christopher McAndrew, MD, MSc, performed the first surgery where they elevated his muscle, implanted a metal device inside the femur bone, performed a bone graft and sutured the skin closed over the implant.
After a few months of letting the implant grow to the bone, it was time for the second stage of the procedure. David Brogan, MD, MSc, joined Drs. English and McAndrew in this second surgery where they opened the muscle again, trimmed muscle and skin, and put an addition piece of the metal implant in place. This time, they intentionally left the tip of the implant sticking out of Zach’s skin so he could begin attaching a short prosthesis. Once healed from that second surgery, Zach started to strengthen the bone by attaching the one-foot prosthesis and gradually weight training.
Zach progressed well through physical therapy and at-home weight training with the shorter prosthetic attachment. Now, Zach has received his custom full-length attachment and has begun rehabilitation to walk again!
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