Randy Hayes knows there's a reason he's still alive, but he's still searching for it. However, Randy counts this search as a blessing because he knows things could have turned out a lot different after the car crash he was involved in on Feb. 8, 2012.

"The Lord has much in store for me," Randy said. "He also has a reason for me to still be here; it has encouraged me to seek hard for what that task will be."

The crash shattered Randy's left femur just above his knee, as well as causing other injuries. Randy remembers being awake, responsive and numb on the way to the hospital, all the while wondering to himself, "God, what do I do now?"

After doctors stabilized his leg and addressed his other injuries, nearly everything healed quickly, and Randy started therapy. However, while he was still hospitalized, doctors identified an infection in his left femur, starting Randy on infusion therapy during the summer and fall of 2012. When the infection remained after he was taken off antibiotics, the decision was made just before Thanksgiving to add an Ilizirov frame (a kind of external fixator frame) to his entire left leg and restart antibiotics.

Randy was faced with a decision: two years of lengthening the femur one millimeter per day and reconsolidating the bone, or amputating his leg just above the fracture. The amputation was the only sure way to eliminate the infection.

After consulting with a high school friend, John Brandt (co-owner of Optimus Prosthetics) and working with Optimus practitioner Glenn Schober, Randy decided to have the operation performed by Dr. Janos Ertl near his home town in Indianapolis, IN (more on Dr. Ertl and his procedure in next month's newsletter). John and Glenn also sat in on the operation and worked with Dr. Ertl to get a head start on Randy's prosthetic.

Once healed, Randy continued to work with John and Glenn of Optimus Prosthetics to receive his above-knee prosthesis, which features the revolutionary new Power Knee.  Since starting his recovery, Randy has progressed from bed to wheelchair to walker to using only a cane to walk unassisted. Randy has also had to deal with thoughts of "Why did this happen to me?" and feelings of despair, but said he made a conscious choice not to let that bother him.

"You know, I quickly found that accepting the accident and the amputation really gave me freedom from all of the second guessing," Randy said. "God is in control of our lives whether I acknowledge it or not, and He had a plan for my life."

When asked about advice he would give to others considering an amputation, Randy offered three main points: don't try to make the decision alone, don't overthink amputations and prosthetics, and be sure to find an amputation specialist that you trust, just as he did with Dr. Ertl.

"I am living and breathing proof," Randy said, "that through working with the talented people in this field and with modern medicine and equipment, an amputee with prosthetic assistance today has the opportunity to leave the illness or hurt of an amputation behind them and walk boldly out into the things in this world you still are yet to conquer, with the Lord's help." 

The POWER KNEE, developed by Össur and available in the area first from Optimus Prosthetics, is the world's first and only motor-powered, artificially intelligent prosthesis designed for above-the-knee amputees. This innovation provides some great benefits previously unseen in prosthetic devices. Here are a few of the highlights of the POWER KNEE:

Powered Extension- this helps a user stand up from a seated position, provides support when walking up inclined surfaces or going up a flight of steps.

Powered swing extension- the POWER KNEE helps with natural walking dynamics, enabling correct pelvic rotation for a more natural gait through an active pendulum motion that swings forward when the user is walking.

Active heel rise and knee flexion- the POWER KNEE actually lifts the heel off the ground, regardless of if user is walking on flat or undulating surfaces. This helps increase safety and prevent stumbling by increasing toe lift.

Imitates normal proprioception- by anticipating and responding to each step, the POWER KNEE provides the best function to adjust gait symmetry to optimize the custom gait of each user.

All of these benefits result in a better experience for any user walking with the POWER KNEE. The POWER KNEE was available in the area first from Optimus Prosthetics, and can be used by those that have had a Transfemoral, Bilateral Transfemoral, Unilateral Hip Disarticulation or Unilateral Hemipelvectomy procedure.

To learn more about how a POWER KNEE could benefit you, contact Optimus Prosthetics today!