Protheses implant surgery at Portland VA

Any form of amputation can be a life changing experience that can affect a person’s independence, hindering their ability to move, work and possibly interact with others. Thanks to a protheses implant system now available at Portland VA, one combat Veteran impacted by amputations is taking his independence back.

In 2012, near Kandahar, Afghanistan, Army Sergeant First Class Wade Mitcheltree was severely injured after stepping on an improvised explosive device. The injuries he sustained caused the loss of his right leg above the knee, his right arm below the elbow, pelvis fracture, eardrum rupture and severe left leg injuries, which eventually led to amputation below the knee on that side.

The use of socket protheses helped Mitcheltree regain mobility, but years sitting on the hard above-knee prosthetic socket in his right leg would pitch him to the side when seated, resulting in lower back pain and other discomforts due to the asymmetry in his posture. It was clear that better options were needed.

In early 2022, Portland Amputation Clinic Medical Director Dr. Stephanie Liu began working to bring the Osseo-anchored Prostheses for Rehabilitation of Amputees Implant System, (OPRA) to Portland. It was approved in 2023 and, today, medical staff mark the significant strides Mitcheltree has made as the first Veteran to undergo Osseointegration (OI) surgery. He continues to find more comfort and control in his ability to stand upright and walk on his own. He has one leg with a below-knee socket and the other with a transfemoral (above-the-knee) OI prosthesis.

“His determination to walk is a testament to his resilience and the exceptional care provided by our team,” said Dr. Lucas Anissian, orthopedic surgeon. “I feel incredibly blessed and honored to work alongside such talented and dedicated professionals who offer a procedure which makes a profound difference in our patients’ lives. With the fast-moving AI and advancements in intelligent limb prosthetic devices, osseointegration surgery opens doors to possibilities and improvements that were unimaginable just a few years ago.”

OPRA implant system

Pictured above, Mitcheltree works with physical therapist Hannah Burkhart on walking exercises to adapt to his new prothesis on his right leg.

The OPRA Implant System is designed for adults who have transfemoral—or above-the-knee—amputations who may also have rehabilitation problems with a conventional socket prosthesis, or in some cases, cannot use them. Issues with a traditional prothesis can lead to many people being wheelchair-bound or less functional or comfortable than they could be.

During Mitcheltree’s most recent follow-up visit, doctors confirmed he continues to experience normal healing without infection or other complications at the surgical site and that he has made remarkable progress in his weight-bearing and walking training programs.

A father to two sons and a service dog, Mitcheltree’s personality extends beyond family as he volunteers his time speaking to children at local Ronald McDonald homes, which provide access to medical care, a home away from home and a community of support for seriously ill or injured children and their families.

“You’re just going to do it a different way.”

“I remember the first time I talked to a young lady who had lost both her hands and feet. She was still very self-conscious about her situation to where she kept herself covered up under four blankets to hide her arms and legs. I was the first person she had met with amputations and, over time, I helped her learn that, yes, this is unfortunate, but you know what? You can still get your life back. Now she’s back at home and doing good, making progress with her arms and legs and being very active,” Micheltree said.

Mitcheltree strongly believes it is important for others experiencing life-changing injuries to never let that make them feel “less than.” “You can still do anything and everything that everybody else does, you’re just going to do it a different way.”

If you would like to learn more about VA Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services.