Inspirational Ben set to conquer Everest with state-of-the-art knee |
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Left to right: Laurence Staegemann, Ben with the new knee joint, and Keith Bell from Ortho Europe Ben Clay has already come a long way since he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 15. Now the 25-year-old is preparing for a different challenge – climbing to base camp on Mount Everest in October. And this is despite undergoing an above-knee amputation on his right leg, which has far from quashed his adventurous spirit. Ben was treated for his original cancer with chemotherapy and surgery, and when another tumour was discovered in his knee aged 17, the joint was rebuilt using metal. When recurring infections started to trouble him, doctors tackled them with antibiotics and a series of operations. After a year of treatment, Ben made the brave decision to have his right leg amputated above the knee. Since then, Ben has been a patient of the Disablement Services Centre (DSC) at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, who built and fitted his original prosthetic leg.
Laurence Staegemann adjusts the knee joint To help Ben on his ascent up Everest, Ortho Europe, who make prosthetic and orthotic (devices to support joints or limbs) components, have donated a state-of-the-art knee mechanism, which even has its own computer chip to analyse the way Ben walks in extreme conditions. The knee is hydraulically controlled, and is specially designed to allow the user to walk naturally and confidently at changing speeds and over all types of terrain. Its statistics counter will keep track of Ben’s progress, recording the number of steps he takes, the distance he covers and the varying levels of his activity. “It’s great because it’s stronger, more robust and altogether better than an ordinary prosthesis,” says Ben. Staff at Addenbrooke’s DSC will make the socket for Ben’s new leg, put the limb together and fit it. Laurence Staegemann, Ben’s prosthetist who works for the company Op Care at Addenbrooke’s DSC, said: “We’re really grateful to Ortho Europe to be able to give this a try. Ben’s come a long way and has overcome many difficulties, so I think what he’s doing is brilliant. Especially for young people, the message is: just because you’ve lost a limb doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road.”
Ben trying out the new limb Ben, who will be raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, says: “It’s exciting but a bit daunting. I’ve already sailed on a ship in the Caribbean since I had my leg amputated and climbed rigging in storms, which gave me my confidence back. Now I’m going to really test myself. Hopefully other amputees will see they can go and do these things. I want to give that inspiration back.”
For further information, please contact Emma Oram, Press
Officer, Communications Department, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road,
Cambridge CB2 2QQ Tel: 01223 274433 Fax: 01223 257143 Email: emma.oram@addenbrookes.nhs.uk |
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