Government to fund trial of new surgical technique for amputees

The government is to fund a trial of a direct skeletal fixation (DSF) technique that could offer life-changing benefits for amputees.

Also known as osseo-integration, the DSF method involves inserting a titanium prosthetic implant directly into the bone, thus eliminating socket-based technology and the complications associated with traditional prosthetics.

The Ministry of Defence has successfully bid for two million pounds of LIBOR funding to carry out the trial, which is expected to enable some veterans and service personnel to benefit from the surgery.

Mark Lancaster, minister for defence personnel and veterans, said: "We want our personnel to know that we appreciate they risk injury while defending the nation and that we will support their needs."

The first three procedures were carried out in Australia and a further two have been performed in the UK by military surgeons, with the new funding helping to extend the initial pilot to a further 20 patients from April 2016.

NHS England has independently commissioned a study to evaluate DSF outcomes to see if it could be beneficial for the broader population.