Eight-year-old becomes youngest amputee with computerised knees
- 02.11.2022
- EmmaArnold
- Personal-injury
A schoolgirl has become the youngest person in the world to use computerized knees in her prosthetic legs.
After contracting meningitis at just ten months old, Harmonie-Rose, from Bath, had all four limbs amputated. As part of a trial with Dorset Orthopaedic, she now has microprocessor knees which act as an internal computer.
Harmonie-Rose, aged 8, now has her every movement monitored by the device which can adjust her knees to compensate for resistance, bend whilst walking and control her legs when sitting down.
Freya Hall, Harmonie-Rose’s mum, explained how Harmonie trialled the new legs for about a month at home and they ‘basically changed her life within a week’ as she can now walk with a more natural movement making it more comfortable for her.
Dorset Orthopaedic have been working with Harmonie-Rose since she was just three years old and believe she is the youngest person in the world to use this type of prosthetic technology. Although her previous legs were functional using fixed locked knees, they were not as easy for her to use safely day-to-day.
However, more important than being able to walk symmetrically and in a normal fashion to Harmonie-Rose is the fact she can now wear knee length socks and tights for the first time!
Richard Edwards, Partner in personal injury at Potter Rees Dolan, said:
“This is a lovely piece. Access to cutting edge prosthetic technology isn’t always easy to secure but when it can be achieved the benefits can transform the lives of amputees. Ottobock are very experienced technicians and Harmonie-Rose is in very capable hands! It’s great to see her getting the benefits of microprocessor technology and at such a young age too– ten out ten all round I think!”
Richard Edwards is a Partner within the Personal Injury team here at Potter Rees Dolan. If you would like to speak to Richard or any of our expert serious injury solicitors regarding an amputation, or indeed any other aspect of this article, please call 0800 027 2557 or fill out the contact form at the side of this page. Alternatively, you can contact Richard directly here.