Leo Millar - Dorset Orthopaedic

AUTUMN/WINTER 2011
Leo Millar
swings into action
New robotic hand!
Innovation for
KAFO wearers
Stephen Thomas
reaches for
GOLD
more
inside!

Welcome to the Autumn 2011 Edition of our
newsletter. I can’t remember a busier time for
individuals at Dorset Orthopaedic since we started
in 1989 with 2 prosthetists and 3 technicians.
Our recently opened Burton upon Trent Clinic continues to
expand. Under the watchful eye of manager Mark Ledger
we now have two prosthetists, two technicians and a
receptionist all very busy looking after the needs of our
clients in the Midlands.
Following a very productive meeting with Ocean
Physio of Exeter, David Hills our Clinical Director has now
started a visiting clinic to Taunton.
We are also supplying prosthetics for two projects
at the moment; Marc Woods is racing to the South Pole
http://www.extremeworldraces.com/races/south-polerace
and Neil Heritage is rowing 3,000 miles across the
Atlantic Ocean http://www.row2recovery.com. They must
be very brave or absolutely bonkers or both! All of us at
Dorset Ortho wish them God Speed and a safe journey.
Last but not least we have a new state of the art
website. More customer focused with Twitter, Facebook
and YouTube interfaces. I invite you to have a look and let
us know what you think.
As we go to press I am told that our 10 year old local
golfing media star Leo Millar has just come second in the
local Junior Medal Tournament with a 4 over par score.
Fantastic result and congratulations from all of us in the
development team back here in Ringwood.
Please do call Karen or Ann on 01425 480065 if you
have any questions about your prosthetics or orthotics.
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Bob Watts
Follow us on
Innovation for
KAFO wearers
The E-MAG Active is an electronic
stance control KAFO (knee-ankle-foot
orthosis) that actually calibrates itself
to understand how you walk, then
adjusts itself to meet your needs.
Manufactured by world-leader Otto
Bock, this low-profile, easy to fit KAFO
offers another high-tech option for
individuals that need bracing support
they can rely on.
With no linkage or sensors below
the knee, the E-MAG Active is the perfect solution for
those individuals who have limited ankle function or who
would normally wear a locked KAFO. With the benefit of
a more natural gait, this innovative product reduces the
need for compensation from other muscle groups.
For more information on how the E-MAG Active
could help you live a more active lifestyle, please call
the Dorset Orthopaedic team on 01425 481740.
No limits Autumn/Winter 2011

Because she’s worth it!
World-famous for their ‘Because you’re
worth it’ slogan, cosmetics giant l’Oreal
have chosen Aimee Mullins to be their
Global Spokeswoman. A long-term client
of Dorset Orthopaedic, Aimee is a World Record holding
Paralympian who has moved from racetrack to catwalk
runway and film.
With the support of her world-famous prosthetics,
Aimee will undoubtedly become a household name of the
future and one to watch.
Aimee has gone on record saying:
“Dorset Orthopaedic
make the best silicone
cosmeses in the world!”
Follow
Aimee Mullins at
aimeemullins
.com
Latest generation
robotic hand
Available through Dorset Orthopaedic, the
bebionic hand is a new generation of multiarticulating
myoelectric hands. Grasping
everyday objects with precision and ease is
possible due to the compliant surface and multiple
grip patterns.
The bebionic v2 hand is now available in medium and
large sizes with major improvements to speed, accuracy,
grip and durability in addition to new grip patterns and
software features.
The combination of individual finger actuators with
advanced onboard electronics allows the bebionic hand
to perform up to 14 selectable compliant grip patterns,
including grips never before available in a prosthetic hand,
such as Mouse Grip to operate a computer mouse, and
Trigger Grip to operate a trigger-activated device such as a
cleaning spray.
For more information on the bebionic hand, please
contact Dorset Orthopaedic on 01425 481740.

Cambridge to Paris - on a bike!
On the 20th September 2011,
Dr Anthony Brown cycled to Paris
from Cambridge via London to
raise awareness of Charcot-Marie-
Tooth disease, or CMT, which is the
most commonly inherited nerve
disorder, affecting over 20,000
people in the UK.
Born with CMT, Anthony
undertook this marathon journey in
just four days. The ride ended at the
Eiffel Tower in central Paris where
Anthony was greeted by well-wishers, friends and family.
After discovering the innovative SAFO from Dorset Orthopaedic,
Anthony said:
“It’s difficult to overstate the impact that SAFOs made to my quality of
life. Most importantly, I went from making excuses not to walk, to walking
everywhere. My self-confidence has grown as my gait has improved,
making me feel as though I am perceived differently. Importantly, SAFO’s fit
seamlessly into my everyday life: they are comfortable, discreet and can be
worn without shoes or socks.”
We caught up with Anthony to explore how the condition has impacted
his life and how he aims to raise awareness of CMT. To read the full interview,
please visit www.dorset-ortho.com.
Leo swings into action
10-year old Leo Millar hit the headlines recently with his amazing
appetite for sport. Despite being born without a right hand, Leo has
shown an amazing talent for both karate and golf. With the help of an
innovative and fully bespoke prosthesis from Dorset Orthopaedic, Leo’s
unique talent was recently spotted by the BBC, Five News, The Times,
The Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror and a whole host of global media.
Leo is determined to live life to the full and with a supportive family,
Leo has shown little regard to the challenges faced by limb loss. Having
shown an interest in golf, it didn’t take Leo long to demonstrate a perfect
200-yard swing with only one hand.
With conventional prosthetics not suitable for the high loads imposed
by the swing of a golf club, Leo and his family were determined to find
a way to allow him to tee-off using his two arms. Knowing that Dorset
Orthopaedic had won the Queen’s Award for Innovation, they approached
Bob Watts, Managing Director and Prosthetist, to see if he could help.
Bob and his team looked at various concepts and settled on a silicone
prosthesis that would fit firmly to Leo’s wrist and provide incredible
strength combined with sufficient flexibility to allow the golf club to swing
through a normal parabola with both control and speed.
The result is a unique prosthesis that allows Leo to complete a full
swing and drive the ball more than 200 yards! Demonstrated for the first
time live on BBC South, Leo’s new swing attracted wide praise.
www.dorset-ortho.com

Neil’s Atlantic rowing challenge
More than 4,000 people have climbed Everest. More than 500 people
have been into space. Only 473 people have rowed an ocean.
Neil Heritage was a member of
the Royal Signals working in a
bomb disposal team in Iraq when a
suicide bomber detonated a device
a few feet away. It was November
2004 and his wife was six weeks
pregnant with the couple’s second
child. He required a double aboveknee
amputation and doctors
initially predicted he would never
walk again.
With support from ‘Help for
Heroes’, Neil was provided with
state-of-the-art prostheses from
Dorset Orthopaedic and set about his
rehabilitation. Neil, 30, is now a Fitness
Coach and keen endurance athlete.
In December 2011, Neil will
accompany three injured and
two able-bodied British service
members to row across the Atlantic
to Barbados, a journey of 3,000 miles.
The journey is expected to take
between 50 – 60 days, where the
six-man crew will row completely
unsupported. The challenge is huge:
of the 452 rowing boat crews to ever
attempt this Atlantic crossing, only
284 have succeeded.
The team will alternate between
two-hours deck rowing, and brief
two-hour off-watch rest spells in the
cabin. Throughout this two-month
test of endurance, the team will need
to be prepared for tropical climatic
conditions that can be unpredictable,
along with torrential rain to gale
force winds and blistering, windless
sunshine, as well as cold nights.
Neil will be rowing without his
prostheses; however, Bob Watts of
Dorset Orthopaedic is designing a
custom seat using the same skill and
technology that provides high-levels
of socket comfort for Neil during his
normal sporting activities.
Asked what inspired Neil to take
on this inspiring challenge, he said
“The challenge of rowing the Atlantic
is exciting, however, it really is about
giving something back to the people
and charities that have helped me
and simply ‘doing my bit’ to help
support and inspire service personnel
and their families.”
You can find out more about
Neil’s challenge by clicking on
www.row2recovery.com.
Horror motorbike crash
A dad who lost his leg in a horror
motorbike crash stunned doctors
when he started walking again –
just three weeks after having the
limb amputated.
Dominic Forrest, 45, feared he
would have to use a wheelchair
for the rest of his life after doctors
removed his badly injured right leg
above the knee following the smash.
Dominic was told by medics it
would take months before he could
even contemplate standing up again
using a false limb. Incredibly, just 29
days after the accident and 20 days
after the surgery, he was back on his
feet and leading a normal life thanks
to Dorset Orthopaedic, who fitted
him with a state-of-the-art limb.
He is believed to be the quickest leg
amputee ever to be up and walking
on a prosthetic limb after the lifechanging
surgery in the UK.
“Dorset Orthopaedic have
done an absolutely stonking job.
There’s no way in a million years I
would have been up and walking
so quickly if it wasn’t for them. It’s
absolutely changed my life.”
Bob Watts, founder of Dorset
Orthopaedic, said “It’s very unusual
for somebody to be walking this
soon after an accident – this is one
of the quickest cases I have heard of,
certainly in the UK. He’s been fantastic.”
“He’s given himself goals and
has progressed really quickly.”
No limits Autumn/Winter 2011

Reaching for Gold
Surviving meningitis and a lifesaving
operation to amputate his
legs was just the beginning of a new
adventure for Stephen Thomas.
The Paralympic sailing star
representing Great Britain in the 2012
Sonar keelboat class, was a promising
18-year old athlete when he became
dangerously ill with Meningococcal
Septicaemia that sent him into a
coma. Waking up a month later in
hospital, Doctors informed Stephen
‘You’ve been this ill but you’re alive,
we’ve got to amputate or your
chances of survival are pretty slim.’
Despite this major setback,
Stephen showed immense strength
of character.
“I just think about the time I
spent in hospital. Lying there thinking
that my world had ended because I
could no longer play rugby again. At
the time I was devastated. The feeling
of frustration and anger at having
my legs taken away from me and of
how I couldn’t do anything whilst
lying there. Then I looked around and
saw the care I got from my family
and the medical staff and I promised
myself I would make a great recovery
and wouldn’t waste this second
opportunity.
Making good on that promise
and achieving that goal was a very
powerful thing and proved that if I
was willing to work for something
and I was determined even through
life’s setbacks then anything is
achievable.”
Fitted with state-of-the-art
prosthetic legs, Stephen was
determined to regain his love of
sport. With the support of Dorset
Orthopaedic, Stephen is training for
the 2012 Paralympics. We caught up with Stephen to
discuss his inspiring journey, which can be read in full at
www.dorset-ortho.com.
Dorset Orthopaedic continues to expand in the Midlands
Nearly two years has passed since the official opening of
Dorset Orthopaedic’s new clinic in the Midlands. Having led the
expansion of the Burton upon Trent Clinic, Clinician Mark Ledger
commented recently on the growth of the client base and the
benefits of being centrally located.
“Since we opened, we have gained a considerable number
of new clients and we are delighted to have introduced advanced
prosthetic technologies to some of our patients, for example the
Rheo electronic knee and the flex run blades. It has been very
satisfying being able to support our clients by bringing the service
closer to them. It makes their lives easier and we are better able to
support them.”
In fact, client demand has increased so much that a new
clinician, Mark Woolsey, has joined the Midlands team.
Having worked as a prosthetist in Singapore and Bangkok,
Mark Woolsey worked with Thai athletes competing in the Beijing
Paralympics in 2008. With further experience gained in Queen Mary’s
Hospital (Roehampton), Mark has developed a strong reputation for
providing a caring and attentive level of service, particularly with
individuals wishing to develop their sporting/high-activity skills.
A reserve for the Marines, Mark was proud to have worked
at the respected Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley
Court, helping injured service personnel with prosthetic and orthotic
rehabilitation. During Mark’s time at Headley Court, he built up a
strong expertise in fitting complex prosthetics for soldiers requiring
prostheses for up to all four limbs.
Mark commented, ‘Having gained so much knowledge over
the past ten years, I am excited to have joined the team at Burton
upon Trent and offering a high-quality service to those amputees
in the Midlands.’ To contact the Midlands team, please e-mail
enquiry@dorset-ortho.com.
Dorset Orthopaedic Company Ltd
11 Headlands Business Park, Salisbury Road
Ringwood, Hants BH24 3PB
© 2011 Dorset Orthopaedic Co Ltd. All rights reserved.