First ‘bionic’ knee for wounded soldier

A brave ex-soldier from Foulridge is the first patient in the country to be fitted with a prosthetic knee that can be operated by bluetooth.
Photo Neil Cross 
Gregg Stevenson, ex-serviceman, with the world's most advanced prosthetic knee, at the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre, Fulwood, with Vicki BatemanPhoto Neil Cross 
Gregg Stevenson, ex-serviceman, with the world's most advanced prosthetic knee, at the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre, Fulwood, with Vicki Bateman
Photo Neil Cross Gregg Stevenson, ex-serviceman, with the world's most advanced prosthetic knee, at the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre, Fulwood, with Vicki Bateman

Former Colne Park High School student Gregg Stevenson lost both legs to an IED in Afghanistan in 2009.

Despite being given prosthetic legs, the 29-year-old, of Lowther Lane, was left limited in his movement.

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He was unable to go back to being an engineer, and found it difficult to play with his son as he wanted.

Photo Neil Cross 
Gregg Stevenson, ex-serviceman, with the world's most advanced prosthetic knee, at the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre, Fulwood, with Vicki BatemanPhoto Neil Cross 
Gregg Stevenson, ex-serviceman, with the world's most advanced prosthetic knee, at the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre, Fulwood, with Vicki Bateman
Photo Neil Cross Gregg Stevenson, ex-serviceman, with the world's most advanced prosthetic knee, at the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre, Fulwood, with Vicki Bateman

Now, with his Genium X3 knee, he has been given a new lease of life and hopes to return to work.

The model was fitted by medics at Lancashire Teaching Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trusts’ Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre, who have been working with the Veteran’s Prosthetic Panel and Ottobock.

Mr Stevenson said: “I am so pleased to be the first person to use this new leg and am so grateful to the staff at the SMRC for working so hard to get hold of this for me.

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“I have a young son so now I’ll be able to run around and play with him like other parents can, without having to switch between different limbs.”

The former Green Beret’s “Bionic” knee is waterproof and is virtually impenetrable by dirt or dust.

It allows users to move easily from walking to jogging to running. And there is also a mute button so the prosthesis can be silenced for activities like meetings or trips to the cinema.

There’s more on this story in this week’s Leader-Times newspapers!

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