Military amputees to get bionic legs

The government has set aside £6.5 million for injured military personnel to access the latest prosthetic limbs.

War heroes who have lost their legs will now have access to the most technologically-advanced prosthetics available, including the Genium bionic prosthetic system, thanks to new funding announced today by the Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Chancellor George Osborne.

The government has made £6.5 million available from the Special Reserve to guarantee that all serving personnel and veterans injured while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan will be able to upgrade to the latest prosthetics technology where clinically appropriate.

The Genium C-Leg® prosthetic system, known as a ‘bionic leg’, was used by former soldier Derek Derenalagi at the London Paralympics, and could improve the quality of life and speed of rehabilitation for many users, providing better stability and mobility as well as improving the ability to clear obstacles, negotiate stairs and walk backwards.

The Defence Secretary said that providing world-class medical care for injured personnel remained a top priority and that clinicians would now have freedom to choose across the range of limbs to suit the amputee.

Mr Hammond said: "This is great news for Service people going through the process. I’ve talked to some of the guys waiting to be fitted with new limbs and they definitely have their shopping lists ready. They know all about these limbs, they’ve talked to people in the States who’ve tried them. They’re ready to go for it."

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