Amputee Fitted With Bionic Leg

The bionic leg that gave my life a lift: Amputee fitted with limb that lets him cycle, walk backwards and even go SKIING

Matthew Newbury, the first UK patient to receive a new bionic prosthetic leg system 'Genium'

He lost a leg in a motorcycle accident but property developer Matthew Newbury has no trouble scaling the ladders and scaffolding on his building sites.
He is the first Briton to be fitted with the latest state-of-the-art bionic limb and says it has transformed his life.

Mr Newbury, who lost his left leg above the knee, has had prosthetic replacements before but none have allowed him to move as freely as the £50,000 Genium. 

He can even ski and walk backwards.
'The difference is just vast,' said Mr Newbury, 30. 

'With my old leg, a lot of the time I'd be walking gingerly, avoiding tripping up, but now I can walk with much more confidence, I can climb stairs in a much more natural way.
'But the best thing is I'm not tired all the time. I have my life back. I can go out for drinks and dinner until late without feeling exhausted.'

He is so happy with his 'super limb' that he says it works better than his right leg, which survived the 1997 accident but was badly damaged.

Mr Newbury, of central London, was 15 when the motorbike he was a pillion passenger on was struck from behind.
He spent more than 18 months in hospital and rehabilitation.

In 2004 he was awarded £2.1million compensation, as well as more money for his accommodation needs – and blew some of the cash on a Porsche with the number plate HA5 1 LEG. 
He also used it to set up a building company and he is now said to be worth more than £9million.

The combination of motion and speed sensors and advanced computing mean that the Genium, made by German firm Otto Bock Healthcare, can detect small changes in movement and direction.

This makes it better than other models at changing the rigidity of the knee, providing better balance and stability.
Cycling, skiing, golf and table tennis are all possible.

New lease on life: Matthew's leg's new technology means he can programme the limb to suit the day's activities

 

Accident: Mr Newbury was aged 15 when he lost his left leg after a motorbike he was a pillion passenger on was struck from behind by a Land Rover
In Mr Newbury's case, his leg will allow him to work the pedals on his light aircraft. He can also get around his own building sites. 
Even simple tasks such as crossing the road have become easier for him.
He said: 'I am now able to walk, ride and navigate life without a second thought.'

His prosthetist, Richard Nieveen, of ProActive Prosthetics in Elstead, Surrey, said: 'It is very encouraging to see Matthew so well with this new knee and we will be watching his progress with great interest.'