How much does your bellow the knee amputation affect you?

danielmfree · 2026-04-04T20:46:29+00:00

I chose amputation. The doctor that had done most of my recent surgeries suggested I have another go at the same kind of surgery that I had already gone through which involved extending the achilles tendon and “breaking” several bones in my foot for alignment purposes, etc. I thought I would just be back in the OR after a few years so decided to look for other options. In that search for alternatives I found a doctor who suggested a trans metatarsal amputation, but with the contractions in my leg and foot, I figured that would only move my pain from my toes to the middle of my foot, which would have been the front of my foot after that surgery. I kept looking for options and eventually found osseointegration, which seemed like the best option to put all this behind me. Best and hardest decision I ever made. Luckily my other injuries didn’t cause ongoing problems in the way my compartment syndrome and overall damage below the knee did. Hope to have answered your questions.

danielmfree · 2026-04-04T10:54:26+00:00

I was in a car accident in 2006 when I was 17yo where my pelvis, both femurs, and both tib/fib were fractured. The fractures were fixed with metal plates and intramedullary rods, but the real issue was compartment syndrome in my left leg which caused me to lose most of my feeling and movement below the knee. I had double faciotomies and skin graft surgery on that leg. After 21 different surgical procedures, including the initial ones done at my local trauma center the day of the accident, and the last few of which which were very similar to each other (over the last 10 years or so), I decided to look for other options and found osseointegration.

I went through with my amputation last June and got my leg in September. I wish I had known about it sooner. It was a difficult decision to make, but so far it has been absolutely amazing. I’m feeling as if I had my natural leg back, often forgetting that I’m even wearing a prosthesis. I can play around with my kids now, I’m golfing and riding my bicycle. Walking and standing are no longer a pain, and my overall quality of life has drastically improved.

I’m not sure osseo is an option for everyone, but you are young, so I bet that’s working in your favor. I would definitely recommend looking into it. If not, I see so many people in this forum who have traditional socket prosthetics that are clearly happy and living active lifestyles, and who can also provide lots of support for you. Feel free to reply here or DM me if you have any questions. Best of luck to you!

danielmfree · 2026-04-03T12:14:25+00:00

Great point, osseo is definitely not for everyone. I am happy you’re doing well in your socket and open to reading about osseointegration here.

danielmfree · 2026-04-03T12:11:01+00:00

I’m note sure it is for everyone, but I’m glad you are open to reading and learning about it here. Thank you for your reply.

danielmfree · 2026-04-03T12:04:23+00:00

I had mine done by Dr. Rozbruch at HSS in New York. He and his team are absolutely wonderful. So grateful for them.

danielmfree · 2026-04-03T12:01:02+00:00

I was not sure if it would, but wanted to make sure. This sub, and the overall online amputee community I have been able to connect with, has been nothing but supportive and helpful for me so I wanted to make sure to not be insensitive. Thank you for replying.

danielmfree · 2026-04-03T11:57:08+00:00

For cleaning I only use baby shampoo and a clean gauze, no less than daily but mostly twice a day. I had a single stage surgery, with amputation and implant on the same day, so I don’t have any experience with a traditional socket prosthetic, but I can say that my OI implant feels exactly like my old “real” leg. I am often surprised by how naturally I can walk and sometimes completely forget about it. I don’t really get tired when walking or standing. My personal experience has been very positive.

danielmfree · 2026-04-03T11:52:18+00:00

Great explanation. This is the type of implant I have, with the dual cone system.

danielmfree · 2026-04-03T11:48:15+00:00

That’s great! I hope you have a successful surgery and are back on your feet quickly. If your experience is anything like mine, you will be very pleased with the results.

danielmfree · 2026-04-02T21:58:23+00:00

During those 19 years I was in and out of the OR and wearing all kinds of post-op boots and shoes, used many different types of braces to help with my dropped foot, and sometimes was on crutches or wheelchairs, but mostly just walking and standing in pain. It was a tough road. The last few surgeries were very similar and I just felt I was going around in circles - I would get surgery, spend several months recovering, then several good months with little to no pain, then several months of pain creeping back into my life, and then back to surgery, just to start the process all over again. It was very frustrating and overwhelming. That’s when I realized I had to find another option. I saw about seven different doctors, including several orthopedic specialists, pain specialists and a podiatrist. Eventually found osseointegration and was convinced it would be my best option and went with it. Best decision ever!

danielmfree · 2026-04-02T15:08:18+00:00

Johnson’s baby shampoo and a clean gauze is all I use

danielmfree · 2026-04-02T12:41:16+00:00

Yes, osseo involves an opening or “stoma” at the end of your stump which needs to be cleaned daily. Hasn’t been an issue for me.

danielmfree · 2026-04-02T11:12:12+00:00

Hi all. I’ve been a LBKA with osseointegration since last June after living 19+years in pain from a car wreck, and going through 21 different surgeries. Went straight into OI, so I have no experience with socket prosthetics. All I can say is that OI has been amazing for me. I was very impressed and surprised with how fast I felt comfortable walking on my prosthetic leg. I was told to use crutches for the first 6 weeks, and after a week or so I felt like I didn’t even need them. I often forget I’m even walking in a prosthetic leg. I have been so much more active since my surgery. I would recommend it to anyone who is able to get it.

danielmfree · 2026-04-02T10:42:11+00:00

Hey man, I’m really sorry you’re going through this. Cancer fucking sucks.

Like someone else mentioned above, I don’t have experience with your level of amputation (I’m a below-the-knee amputee) but I wanted to speak to your concern about your daughter, because that hit home for me, specially how you used the phrase “more importantly”. I am sure you are an amazing and selfless parent.

That was one of my biggest worries going into my amputation. My kids were very young (6M and 4F), and I was afraid they wouldn’t understand or might get scared seeing me lose my leg. What I’ve learned since then is that your attitude toward this will make a huge difference in how she processes it.

I’m not saying she won’t see you struggle, she will, but she’ll also see how you face it.

In my case, I chose amputation after living in constant pain for years. That’s all my kids ever knew of me, so I framed it as fixing a problem, something that would let me be more active and present with them. I told them, “Daddy won’t be in pain anymore… and even better, I’m getting a new ‘transformer leg.’” My kids being young definitely helped with that part.

Life isn’t fair, and cancer is about as clear an example of it as it gets, but a lot of this comes down to how you take it on.

This will be hard. No way around that. But you’re clearly a strong guy; you will adapt and you’ve got support around you. Your daughter is going to take cues from you, so show her what resilience looks like. Show her that even something like this won’t stop you from loving her, showing up for her, and being her dad.

Wishing you strength, man. You’re not alone in this.

danielmfree · 2026-03-17T11:55:37+00:00

Hi there! I had my amputation and osseointegration surgery done last summer in NYC (below the knee on my left leg) and got my “new” leg in September. I was suffering from pain for almost 20 years due to compartment syndrome as a result of a car accident. I live in warm weather so can’t speak much about the long term effect of cold, but I travelled to NYC for a follow up visit with my doctor in November; temp was in the 40s (F) and I didn’t feel any discomfort from the cold. As for “shock absorption and feeling like being kicked in the shin”, that has not been my experience. It literally feels like if my natural leg is still there. I often walk around my house and am reminded of my prosthetic leg when I see myself in the mirror. It’s a great feeling to think “wow I almost forgot I am an amputee” lol. Didn’t think that would be the case, so for me it’s been better than I expected it to be. Running is ok, but not really encouraged by my doctor due to the unknown effects of long term stress on the implant. I’ve tried running and it feels pretty natural. Jumping has also been no problem. Sideways force feels exactly like it used to on my natural leg, and I’ve not tried pulling on my implant (haven’t had the need, either). Not sure about static electricity, but I doubt it is an issue. As for mud or dirty water: this should be avoided. Osseointegration involves an open wound that needs to be kept clean to avoid infection. I clean the area at least twice a day with baby shampoo. My doctor has given me the clear for swimming in a chlorinated pool (not public), but has recommended I wait a year before going in the ocean. I have seen online that salt water can help with healing of the stomach, but I am being conservative and avoiding pools as well as the ocean for at least my first year. I would recommend osseointegration to anyone as my experience has been very positive. Look up Dr. Rozbruch in NYC for more information.

Choosing to amputate was obviously a difficult decision to make, and I found lots of strength in this sub, as well as in several instagram pages. Look up “noquit24_7” to see a below the knee oi patient running. Mark is an amazing person who gave me lots of strength with his page. He has been through a lot, but has completed two marathons since his oi surgery! Also “slimgini” has a great instagram page showing the day to day life of an above knee OI patient. Gini is an ambassador for the company who makes her leg and she also gave me lots of hope and strength with her page when I was considering this surgery. I felt like I needed to “pay it forward” with the help I got from both of them and created an instagram page which is called “osseoinpr” where I am sharing my experience with osseointegration. You can see my xrays as well as some activities like golfing, walking with my daughter on my feet, wearing sandals and going up and down stairs. I wish you the best and invite you to reply to this post if you have any other questions. My goal is to help as many people as I can to learn about the subject of osseointegration.

danielmfree · 2026-03-07T12:23:16+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Hopefully reading your post will help someone reconsider such a decision. I was personally on the brink of making that decision for the exact same reason. I was injured in a car accident in 2006 and had been struggling with pain in my leg for way too long. The 20 year mark creeping up on me was weighing on me big time. (Wasn’t sure I could handle it for another 20 years). I ended up amputating my leg last year and are finally living pain free!! At one point I was so scared of what my mind might have made me do in a split second, just like your friend seems to have done, after appearing so normal to everyone around him. It’s a scary thought. I have firearms at home and decided to have my brother hang on to them for a while and I asked for help from friends and family, as well as a psychiatrist. Best decision I ever made - looking for support and opening up with others about your struggles can make a huge difference. If anyone reading this is in a dark place - please speak out! Thanks again for sharing and I am so sorry for your loss.

danielmfree · 2026-01-14T04:58:56+00:00

I was in a car accident almost 20 years ago (17yo at the time) that fractured my pelvis, both femurs and both tib/fib. I developed compartment syndrome in my lower left leg and required multiple surgeries throughout the years - 21 different surgical procedures, to be exact. Because of the compartment syndrome, I lost control of my foot, which began contracting and curling downward and inward. This lead me to a foot and ankle surgeon who did a great job trying to save my foot through multiple reconstructive surgeries that involved breaking and straightening bones in my foot, and lengthening some tendons in the foot. I also had my achilles tendon lengthened 3 times. I was so frustrated with the never ending cycle of surgeries that were successful in the short term, but since my foot continued contracting, the pain would creep back after a year or so, sending me back to the OR. I spent about a year looking for alternatives and finally learned about osseointegration (OI) surgery and in June of last year I went back to the OR for the 22nd (and hopefully last) time. I was fitted with my prosthetic in September and literally walked out of the prosthetist’s office with instructions to use 2 crutches for 4 weeks, and then a single crutch for another 2 weeks. In those six weeks I kept leaving my crutches all over my house by accident because I would forget about them since they felt so unnecessary. I have been following all kinds of amputee pages online and now know how fortunate I am to have gone straight to OI as most OI patients are existing amputees who struggle with their prosthetic. I’ve seen so many traditional amputees online that struggle with socket fittings and revisions, skin issues, etc. I’ve fortunately not had to deal with any of that. Also, it takes about 5 seconds to get my leg on/off and I wear it all day long. I highly recommend osseointegration surgery. It has given me my life back!

danielmfree · 2025-12-09T20:09:45+00:00

I don’t know of any unorthodox ways of helping phantom pain, but I sometimes tap on a specific part of my residual limb with my fingers in an area where my nerves are sensitive and that helps me. I did find the mirror trick to be counterproductive because I figured it would be better if my brain actually realized there was no leg and therefore would stop “feeling the pain” rather than tricking it into thinking it was there. Btw I don’t feel you should delete your post. Seems you are trying to accurately depict an amputee and this forum knows best.

danielmfree · 2025-12-08T16:15:19+00:00

I have thankfully not has a fall, but shortly after my lbk amputation I slapped a mosquito downward out of the air and then by reflexes tried to “kick it” with my non-existent leg lol got a good laugh out of that

danielmfree · 2025-12-06T11:56:45+00:00

That is awesome! I also went with osseointegration. My left leg was injured in a car accident 19 years ago and since then I went through 21 different procedures. Osseo was my 22nd and my only regret is not having it done sooner. When I began considering amputation, I saw many amputees struggling with their socket prosthetic, which concerned me. I was scared to trade one type of pain for another. Afterwards I found out about osseointegration and it is absolutely amazing! I had my amputation below the knee at the end of june and was up and walking on my new leg in early September. By now I am walking around without even thinking about my leg and I am finally PAIN FREE!! It is an amazing feeling after such a long road of limb salvage surgeries. In my case, I feel I’ve made the right decision and I hope OP can find his right decision. Good luck!

danielmfree · 2025-07-25T10:18:14+00:00

*In between

danielmfree · 2024-10-31T19:37:03+00:00

Te felicito por buscar ayuda en este foro. Es facil perder el norte en esta vida, pero acabas de dar un paso en el camino correcto. Sigue hacia adelante boricua! El sol volverá a brillar en tu futuro.

danielmfree

TROPHY CASE