A new, prosthetic leg has been developed that attaches without a socket. The device is called a percutaneous osseointegrated prosthesis (POP). It features a titanium rod surgically implanted into the bottom of the thigh bone. The rod allows a prosthetic leg to be securely attached without the need for a socket. Two veterans have received the POP implant so far. A VA-funded clinical trial, approved by the Food and Drug Administration will assess the feasibility and safety of the new implant in ten VA patients over the course of several years. It could be five years or more before the technology is widely available. For more information, read the VA VAntage Point Blog.
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