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Orthopaedic Surgery

Osseointegration Clinic

Osseointegration is a surgical procedure that aims to offer better quality of life and improved function and mobility to people who have had an amputation. Surgery involves inserting a metal implant into the bone of a residual limb, which then attaches directly to a prosthesis, eliminating socket-related issues. Surgery can be performed in one or two stages, depending on the implant system.

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Benefits of OI | Why Choose Johns Hopkins | Our Experts | Patient Stories

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Benefits of Osseointegration

No Socket-Related Issues

Osseointegration eliminates the need for a socket, solving common prosthetic issues such as excessive sweating, pain, pressure, chafing and skin sores.

Prosthetic leg with socket crossed out

Increased Strength and Mobility

Osseointegration allows for bone and muscle mass in the residual limbs to slowly increase, as the bone and muscles are being actively used. As you get stronger, mobility increases as well.

Lady with an OI prosthetic leg using poles to hike

Feeling More Connected

Because the implant attaches directly to the bone, it provides improved osseoperception — the ability to sense the world through the limb (such as sense the terrain you walk on), and osseoproprioception — the ability to sense where the prosthesis is without looking at it.

Guy with an OI prosthetic arm holding an apple

Better Range of Motion

A bone-anchored implant allows for improved range of motion when compared with traditional prostheses. As a result, the gait becomes more natural, you can walk longer distances and sit more comfortably.

Lady riding a bike with an OI leg prosthetic

Osseointergration FAQs and Processes

Osseointegration Pathways at Johns Hopkins

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Osseointegration Q&A with Brock Lindsey

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Center for Amputation and Limb Loss

The Center for Amputation and Limb Loss is a multi-specialty team of limb loss experts who create personalized treatment plans for people with upper or lower limb amputations.

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Osseointegration: Why Choose Johns Hopkins?

  • The Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the few locations in the country that offers this innovative procedure, provides a full spectrum of care from evaluation to post-surgical rehabilitation.
  • Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in orthopaedics, plastic surgery, prosthetics, rehabilitation and other fields who work together to guide you through each step of the process.
  • We offer osseointegration to a wide range of finger, thigh, leg and arm amputee patients. Our clinic even offers this procedure to patients with bilateral (both limbs) amputations.
  • Three types of osseointegration implant systems are currently available in the U.S.: Swedish, Australian and U.S. implants. Our expert team has training in all three and can help you determine which option is right for you.

Cutting-Edge Osseointegration Techniques for People With Arm Amputations and Those With Short Residual Bones

Osseointegration can offer better function and quality of life for people with arm amputations and those who are left with a short bone after an amputation, which makes it difficult to wear a regular prosthesis. Our team of specialists have years of experience using osseointegration successfully for patients with amputations through the upper arm (transhumeral amputations) and those who lost the arm at the shoulder (shoulder disarticulations). By using implanted electrodes, we aim to offer patients better, more intuitive control of their new prosthetic arms.

Our experts also treat patients experiencing difficulties after osseointegration performed elsewhere.

x-ray of shoulder

Featured ArticleWill Osseointegration Change the Future of Prosthetics?

With only one implant producer with data beyond 10 years, osseointegration as an orthopaedic field has many areas to be researched and Johns Hopkins is at the forefront. Participating in an international registry to collect data including criteria, surgical information, and outcomes, Johns Hopkins aims to better serve the community through emerging medical techniques.

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Doctor discusses prosthetic integration with patient
 

Our Osseointegration Team

Physicians

Extended Care Team

Francis Hwang, DNP, ANP-BC

Sr. Nurse Practitioner and Osseointegration Program Coordinator
Expertise: Orthopaedic surgery in sports medicine, orthopaedic oncology and musculoskeletal and general surgery; Care coordination of OI patients with pre- and post-surgical management; Consultations with prosthetists and OI candidates.
Research Interests: Perioperative education in osseointegration, quality of life after osseointegration surgery
Contact: [email protected]
Francis Hwang

Mark Hopkins, PT, CPO, MBA

Physical Therapist and Prosthetist/Orthotist
Expertise: amputee rehabilitation, prosthetic and orthotic fabrication
headshot of Mark Hopkins

Hear From Our Patients

Gwenna's Story

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Kleyton's Story

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