PURSUING AN ALTERNATIVE
As socket challenges continued, Gini began researching bone-anchored prosthetics and the OPRA™ Implant System, which allows amputees to connect their prosthesis directly to an implant anchored in the bone.
At the time, the treatment was not yet FDA approved in the United States. Her trauma surgeon encouraged her to wait until the procedure became available so that insurance could cover the treatment.
“I waited until the FDA approval so my insurance would cooperate,” Gini explains.
Once the procedure became available, she decided to move forward and began the treatment process in October 2021.
THE REHABILITATION JOURNEY
Following the two-stage surgical procedure, Gini began rehabilitation and gradually returned to weight bearing and walking with her prosthesis.
“The exciting part is when you start physical therapy and can see that you’re making progress,” she says.
As her strength and confidence improved, she began returning to activities that once felt difficult or impossible with a socket prosthesis.
A NEW LEVEL OF FREEDOM
Before receiving the OPRA™ Implant System, even everyday conditions like heat and humidity made walking unpredictable.
“Honestly, I used to sweat my leg off all the time,” Gini says. “I would take a few steps outside in 100-degree weather and sweat so much in a socket that my leg would start to twist around or fall off mid-step.”
Today, she feels more confident moving through daily life — whether walking outdoors on uneven terrain or attending a hot yoga class.
“Now it doesn’t matter where I’m walking.”
For Gini, the time invested in surgery and rehabilitation has been worth it.
“If I can dedicate a year to surgery and rehab, then I have the rest of my life to live free.”
“It’s totally worth the time and investment to be able to now walk freely for the rest of my life.”
Gini’s Story
After a traumatic accident and years of limb salvage surgeries, Gini ultimately made the difficult decision to amputate her right leg above the knee.
She initially did well with a traditional socket prosthesis, but complications soon developed that made socket use increasingly painful.
“I developed bone spurs at the end of my femur,” says Gini. “Every time I put weight on my leg, it felt like a knife cutting into muscle.”
After multiple revision surgeries shortened her residual limb, comfortably fitting a socket prosthesis became more and more difficult.
