Latest news with #osseointegration
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
Renowned surgeon launches Abu Dhabi clinic to transform care for amputees
A pioneering orthopaedic surgeon who has dedicated his career to advancing prosthetic care around the world has a new mission to support amputee patients in the UAE. Prof Munjed Al Muderis, a renowned expert with decades of experience in the field, spoke of his vision to ensure limb loss never 'defines a person's future' after launching a cutting-edge clinic at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi. The Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic – which opened last week in collaboration with the Paley Middle East Clinic – offers groundbreaking surgical techniques which aim to reduce recovery times and boost the mobility of patients adapting to a new way of life. The centre offers surgery, rehabilitation, training and long-term follow-up care. 'Mobility is life,' said Prof Al Muderis. 'Our mission is to ensure that limb loss never defines or limits a person's future.' Prof Al Muderis is a former refugee who fled Iraq in 1999 after refusing orders to perform amputations on army deserters under the regime of Saddam Hussein. He rebuilt his life in Australia and has gone on to become a global leader in limb reconstruction. He has treated more than 1,200 patients around the world – including soldiers from Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries wounded in war. New lease of life Most amputees wear prosthetics that attach using a socket that fits over the residual limb. These systems can cause skin breakdown, sores, sweating and instability. Osseointegration involves surgically inserting a titanium rod into the bone of the amputated limb. The rod extends through the skin and connects directly to the external prosthetic limb. Because the prosthesis is anchored to the skeleton, it moves naturally with the body, improving balance, comfort and control. When paired with robotic or muscle-controlled components, the prosthetic limb can respond to signals from the body, offering precise, intuitive motion. Recovery after surgery typically takes months, but Prof Al Muderis has developed a single-stage procedure that dramatically shortens healing time. In some cases, patients begin walking immediately after surgery, with a full recovery period as short as a week. 'I've operated on Ukrainian soldiers this year, and I'm going again this month,' he said. 'I've treated soldiers from many countries. They're young people who deserve to live full lives after injury.' His work has also helped civilians and children. The new clinic in Abu Dhabi will offer access to patients across the region, many of whom previously had to travel abroad for this kind of care. Osseointegration is expensive. In countries without insurance coverage, the procedure can cost between $80,000 and $100,000. However, studies show it can be more cost-effective over time. Traditional socket prosthetics need frequent replacement and adjustments, whereas the osseointegrated implant is long-lasting and more stable. Pledging support Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, founder and chairman of Burjeel Holdings, announced he would fund 10 osseointegration operations and pledged Dh4 million in support of the clinic's work. 'In the Year of the Community, it is our responsibility to support those who need advanced care and help bring them back to normal life,' Dr Vayalil said. 'When it begins with a touch of generosity, we've already succeeded.' He was inspired by the story of Sham and Omar, two young Syrian siblings who lost limbs in a devastating earthquake and were brought to the UAE for treatment. Their strength, he said, is what led him to act. Life-changing surgery Glenn Bedwell is one of the many patients whose lives have been transformed by the procedure. He was 35 when a celebration turned into catastrophe that changed the course of his life. In 1991, after attending a party with family at a friend's house, he began packing their belongings into the boot of his wife's car. As he stood at the back of the vehicle, a drink-driver lost control and crashed into him, crushing Mr Bedwell between the two cars and severing his right leg on the spot. 'There was no time to move or brace,' he told The National. 'One moment I was loading the trunk, and the next, my life had changed forever.' For more than 20 years, Mr Bedwell wore a socket-based prosthesis. It allowed him to return to work, raise his children, and continue living. But eventually, his skin began to react to the silicone liners used in the socket system. By 2012, he could no longer wear it without pain. 'My body just rejected it,' he said. 'The heat, the pressure points, the constant chafing. In the tropics, you sweat all the time. It just got to the point where I couldn't wear it any more.' Even sitting down became a hazard. 'I remember breaking toilet seats because of the shape and weight of the socket prosthesis,' he said. 'If you sat down too quickly, it would just snap.' That was when he heard about the work being carried out by Prof Al Muderis, and, within three months of meeting him, he underwent surgery. 'The difference was instant,' he said. 'There was nothing touching my skin any more. Suddenly, I had my life back. 'It's like going from a loose, heavy boot to something that feels like your actual leg. 'There's no slipping, no pressure points and you even get a sense of the ground underneath you.' Today, the father of two and grandfather of four walks without pain. He swims, rides a bicycle and no longer needs crutches. 'I have a water leg I use in the shower. I can jump into a swimming pool and climb the ladder to get out like anyone else,' he said. 'I don't worry about slipping any more.' He now travels with Prof Al Muderis to speak to other amputees considering the surgery. 'I'm not a doctor. I don't get paid for this,' he said. 'But if my story helps someone else make the decision, it's worth it.'
Emirates 24/7
28-05-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil Announces AED 4 Million Worth of Next-Gen Prosthetics for Amputees in Need
Cutting-edge osseointegration surgeries to be provided at Abu Dhabi's Burjeel Medical City through a newly launched clinic led by world-class experts. In a landmark initiative aimed at helping amputees affected by trauma and conflict regain mobility with dignity and confidence, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings, has announced the funding of 10 advanced prosthetic surgeries for underprivileged individuals. The announcement, made during the launch of the Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic at Burjeel Medical City (BMC), represents a commitment of AED 4 million toward improving the quality of life for those living with limb loss. Osseointegration surgeries, introduced to the Middle East for the first time through this initiative, will be offered to the most deserving individuals. The procedures will be performed by Prof. Dr. Munjed Al Muderis, a renowned orthopedic surgeon recognized globally for his expertise in this cutting-edge field. 'We are fortunate to work under the most kind, generous, and purposeful leadership we've ever seen. They are fast thinkers and even faster movers—none of this would have been possible without that vision. In the Year of the Community, it is our responsibility to support those who need advanced care and help bring them back to normal life. I believe we'll do many more cases, but when it begins with a touch of generosity, we've already succeeded,' said Dr. Shamsheer. Inspired by Survivors: The Story of Sham and Omar This initiative was inspired by the courage of two young Syrian siblings—Sham and her older brother Omar—who were rescued from the rubble of their home after a devastating earthquake in Syria. Suffering traumatic injuries and limb loss, they were brought to the UAE under the humanitarian directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation and Honorary President of the Emirates Red Crescent. BMC became their home for complex surgeries and intensive rehabilitation. Deeply moved by their strength and vulnerability, Dr. Shamsheer was inspired to bring the world's best prosthetic solutions to the region. Determined to ensure that children like Sham and Omar—and many others affected by conflict or disaster—can walk again with dignity, he partnered with Prof. Dr. Munjed Al Muderis to establish a regional center of excellence for osseointegration. The goal: to make next-generation prosthetics not just available, but accessible to those who need them most. Al Muderis Clinic to Deliver Surgeries The surgeries will be performed at the newly launched Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic at BMC. Established in collaboration with the Paley Middle East Clinic, the center introduces a transformative surgical technique that provides amputees with an advanced alternative to traditional socket-based prosthetics. Known as osseointegration, the procedure anchors a prosthetic limb directly to the patient's bone using a titanium implant. This results in significantly improved mobility, stability, and comfort, along with a shorter rehabilitation period. Beneficiaries will receive the Osseointegrated Prosthetic Limb (OPL) system, which integrates with the bone and extends through the skin to securely attach to an external prosthesis. This direct skeletal connection mimics natural limb movement and eliminates many of the limitations of conventional prosthetics. Unlike traditional prosthetics—which can cause discomfort, skin irritation, and joint complications—osseointegration offers a more intuitive, stable, and lifelike experience. The OPL also enables osseoperception, a phenomenon that allows users to regain sensory feedback through their prosthesis. 'Our goal has always been to restore mobility and dignity to amputees. By bringing this technology to the UAE, we're building local capabilities and offering hope to those who have waited too long for the right kind of care,' said Prof. Dr. Al Muderis, who has treated more than 1,200 patients worldwide using this technology. 'We hope Dr. Shamsheer's noble gesture will help restore mobility to the most deserving patients from all age groups. We are proud to begin offering such a unique service through a community-centric initiative.' Prof. Dr. Al Muderis—whose inspiring journey from fleeing Iraq as a refugee to becoming a globally respected surgeon is well known—emphasized the personal mission behind the clinic. 'Mobility is life,' he said. 'Our mission is to ensure that limb loss never defines or limits a person's future. Over the past decade, we pioneered the single-stage technique and adapted the technology for diabetic, vascular, pediatric, transtibial, and hip-disarticulation amputees. With this technology, we empower people with even the most complex injuries to reclaim their independence and quality of life.' A team of medical experts will identify the beneficiaries of the initiative based on clinical evaluation and medical needs. Further details will be announced soon. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil announces AED 4mln worth of next-gen prosthetics for amputees in need
Abu Dhabi: In a landmark initiative to help amputees affected by trauma and conflict regain mobility with dignity and confidence, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings, has announced he will fund 10 free highly advanced prosthetic surgeries for underprivileged individuals. The announcement, made during the launch of the Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic at Burjeel Medical City (BMC), represents a commitment of AED 4 million toward improving the quality of life for those living with limb loss. Osseointegration surgeries, being introduced to the Middle East for the first time, will be made available to the most deserving individuals through this initiative. Prof. Dr. Munjed Al Muderis, a renowned orthopedic surgeon known for his expertise in cutting-edge osseointegration procedures, will perform the surgeries for the beneficiaries. 'We are fortunate to work under the most kind, generous, and purposeful leadership we have ever seen. They are fast thinkers and even faster movers; none of this would have been possible without that vision. In the Year of the Community, it is our responsibility to support those who need advanced care and help bring them back to normal life. I believe we'll do many more cases, but when it begins with a touch of generosity, we've already succeeded,' said Dr. Shamsheer. Al Muderis Clinic to Deliver Surgeries The surgeries will be performed at the newly launched Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic in BMC. Established in collaboration with the Paley Middle East Clinic, the center brings a transformative surgical technique to the region, offering amputees a highly advanced alternative to traditional socket-based prosthetics. Known as osseointegration, the procedure anchors an external prosthetic limb directly to the patient's bone using a titanium implant. The result is significantly improved mobility, stability, and comfort, with a shorter rehabilitation period. The beneficiaries will receive the Osseointegrated Prosthetic Limb (OPL) system, which uses a titanium implant that integrates with the bone and extends through the skin to attach to an external prosthesis securely. This direct skeletal connection mimics natural limb movement and eliminates many limitations of conventional socket-based prosthetics. Unlike traditional prosthetics, which often cause discomfort, skin irritation, and joint complications, osseointegration enables a more intuitive, stable, and lifelike experience. The OPL also allows for osseoperception, a phenomenon where users regain sensory feedback through prosthetics. 'Our goal has always been to restore mobility and dignity to amputees. By bringing this technology to the UAE, we're building local capabilities and offering hope to those who have waited too long for the right kind of care,' said Prof. Dr. Al Muderis, who has treated over 1,200 patients worldwide using this technology. 'We hope Dr. Shamsheer's noble gesture will help restore mobility to the most deserving patients from different age groups. We are proud to begin offering such a unique service through a community-centric initiative.' Prof. Dr. Al Muderis, whose inspiring journey from fleeing Iraq as a refugee to becoming a globally respected surgeon is widely recognized, emphasized the personal mission behind the clinic. 'Mobility is life,' he said. 'Our mission is to ensure that limb loss never defines or limits a person's future. Over the past decade, we pioneered the single-stage technique and enabled the technology for diabetic, vascular, pediatric, transtibial, and hip-disarticulation amputees. With this technology, we empower people with even the most complex injuries to reclaim their independence and quality of life.' A team of medical experts will identify the beneficiaries of the initiative based on clinical evaluation and medical needs. Further details will be announced soon.
