Dubai expat gets Gulf's first ever 3D-printed leg

Belinda wearing her 3D-printed leg

Belinda Gatland walks with such ease that if she didn't mention it, you wouldn't notice that she walks on a 3D-printed prosthetic leg.
The British expat, whose left leg was amputated 10 years ago after a horse riding accident at the age of 22, is the first recipient of the region's such fully 3D-printed prosthesis.
On Wednesday, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), in partnership with Arab Health, donated the leg to Belinda under the 3D Khair Year of Giving initiative.
A jockey, Belinda's life changed dramatically after the accident, with the subsequent necrosis leaving her in immense pain. "So badly injured, I had to undergo a number of surgeries but the bone was dying, so I ultimately had to have my left leg amputated," she said.
Belinda has been an equine physiotherapy specialist for over 23 years now and goes riding every morning.
The 3D leg, specially customised for Belinda, fits her like a glove. "This is better than the conventional prosthetic that I have been wearing until now, because this is lighter and gives more bounce," Belinda said, adding that she could almost "feel" her toes.
It's also cost effective. "My earlier prosthetic leg cost me around 2,500 British pounds (Dh11,785) - this is much cheaper," she said, adding that the technology would benefit children the most, in terms of costs, as young ones also outgrow prosthesis as they get older.
"We are keen to bring in the latest technology in medicine to further bolster patient-centric care and improve the lives of our patients to the best extent possible," said Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the DHA.
Dr Mohammad Al Redha, director of the Executive Office for Organisational Transformation at DHA, said, "Today, 3D has arrived in the UAE.
"Projects like this help us pave the way forward to a more integrated and sustainable healthcare system - this is a truly unique collaboration that allows us to see the most modern technology emerge and become a reality," he said. "This is a learning curve for everyone engaged and part of the foundation of future 3D-printing research and development work in the UAE."
According to Pyotr Bakass, sponsorship manager of Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, "Revealed at Arab Health 2017 was the region's first custom prosthetic leg, especially designed and fully 3D-printed in the DHA logo colours. It was created to inspire innovation and illustrate what technology can achieve today," he said. The DHA and Arab Health facilitated the ?creation and donation of the prosthetic device in conjunction with Prosfit (Bulgaria), Mecuris (Germany), and Mediclinic (UAE). "The potential of 3D printing in the ?field of prosthetic devices is huge. ?It allows for faster turnaround times, more personalisation in both design and functionality, and great flexibility when it comes to replacement," said Sebastian Giede, certified orthopaedic prosthetist with Mediclinic, who worked with the fully 3D-printed device for the first time.
The leg has been printed in different parts, with some taking as long as eight hours. "It's like wearing it straight off the machine," he said.
The printing can be done for three to four patients at a time, saving a lot of time in what is normally a long wait for patients for the availability of quality prosthesis. The prototype is also saved for future use and in case the patient needs to have another one made, a copy can be made in any part of the world as well.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

Asma Ali Zain

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com