Stew’s Prosthetic Journey

24th September 2024

The Power to Change – A new prosthetic leg made immense benefits to Stew's life

It’s pretty fair to say that 63 year old (as at 2024) Stewart Lee’s life has revolved around his left leg.

“It was badly damaged by thalidomide,” he explains “and back then amputation and a false leg were the only solution to enabling you to walk. For the first 60 years of my life, I used the same type of prosthetic leg, a leather-lacing thigh corset with side steels, a leather socket to hold my stump, a metal shin and a single axis prosthetic foot. At times I found it extremely uncomfortable but tended to just get on with it.”

Brighton-born Stew was ill for the first 12 years of his life, and his mum, a single parent struggling with anxiety and depression sent him to Chailey Heritage School in Lewes, a school with special facilities, that offered both a basic level of education and hospital care too.

“I left school in 1977 with good CSEs,” he relates “but socially, I couldn’t use the phone or go into town on a bus. Mum encouraged me to achieve one thing every week, until I was confident enough to apply to my local college, where I got 5 A levels and 12 O levels within two years.”

After college, a degree in Human Anatomy and Physiology and successful jobs at the DHSS and British Telecom followed.

When Stew’s mum gave up her struggle with cancer, his life in Brighton came to a natural end and he moved to the Midlands to be near family. He now lives in a future-proofed bungalow in Bridgnorth, Shropshire with his second wife Louise.

Stewart is an active man, goes on walks with his wife, on his electric trike (“I’ve never been much into walking”, he explains), playing crown green bowls and walking football, and travelling extensively at home in a campervan and abroad on pre-arranged tours.

When his old leg began to fall apart, Stew approached the NHS to replace it and found it wasn’t easy

“The new leg they provided was bent, as if it was bowed!” he exclaims “I had to take back my old leg, keeping it together with gaffer tape, while they realigned the bowed leg. After over six months I collected my new leg only to find that it was still exactly the same.”

Trying to arrange appointments with the Rehabilitation Centre in Selly Oak added to Stew’s frustration. No-one returned his calls and he had to complain to PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) to get seen.

“No-one was bothered about us,” Stew remembers, “they just ticked you off on the list and left you to it. I’d had enough of this very impersonal service and spoke to Danielle at the Thalidomide Trust about the possibility of being referred to a private organisation that dealt with orthopaedics.”

Danielle told Stew about the Trust’s relationship with Dorset Orthopaedic, which offers bespoke orthopaedic services to clients across the UK and arranged for him to have an initial assessment with their Burton branch in the Midlands.

Stew was amazed by the level of service from Dorset Orthopaedic

“As soon as I walked into their reception, I felt the difference in ethos,” says Stew “People asked how my journey was, whether I’d like a coffee; and did all they could to make me feel like I was important.”

Stew was doubtful that anything different could be done with his leg – “It has strength but my stump kind of hangs loose and rotates quite considerably around the knee axis. I was worried that it wouldn’t go into a socket, without the aid of a corset – but they reassured me that it could.”

Dorset Orthopaedic recommended a below Knee Prosthesis with Blatchford Echelon VT Foot - a modular prosthetic system made from lightweight components that can be adjusted and replaced on site. This system also allowed for more functional feet that can adapt to uneven terrain, stairs and slopes. The process took about 8 months from the initial assessment and was funded by a grant from the Grunenthal Foundation.

Stew was amazed. “They gave me an extensive range of exercises to do prior to walking in the new leg and I certainly put the effort in” he comments “I was nervous about how my lower stump would cope without the support of a thigh corset. My first step was very tentative, but it seemed to be holding me up and my balance was good. With each further step my confidence increased and within 10 minutes I was walking, unaided across the floor. I was totally amazed and to be honest full of emotion. I said to my wife ‘Why didn’t I do this years ago?”.

Stewart took the prototype leg home with him and although it has been a bit of a struggle, due to the impact on his good leg, it has got better and better and his balance is much improved. “When I got the silicone skin put on the leg it was quite scary” he laughs “It looked so real! Now I’ll be able to wear shorts and sandals – and even walk in the sea. My right leg is still a bit problematic having overcompensated for my left for so long, but it’s something I can address with Dorset Orthopaedic over time.”

Working with Dorset Orthopaedics has changed Stew's life

As well as the physical, the psychological effect Stew’s new leg has had on his life is immense. “I was overawed (by the technology) then elated. I got there, little by little with support and encouragement from the team and my wife Louise. Now I no longer have sores from the chafing of the old leg and feel totally confident. And when I go to Dorset Orthopaedic with any problems, they know exactly what I’m talking about. They listen.”

Stew is excited about the future and is confident that Dorset Orthopaedic will help him sort out the problems with his right leg, as he continues on his journey.

“If other beneficiaries out there are thinking about doing what I did, I heartily encourage them to give it a go, even if they just go for an initial assessment with one of Dorset Orthopaedic branches.

The whole process has been wonderful. All the people I worked with are brilliant – and you know they’re on your side. They go out of their way to meet your needs and if something’s not right for you, they won’t do it. Go for it, it will change your life.”

Watch videos of Stew showing him walking with his old leg, compared to walking and rowing with his new leg (videos provided by Dorset Orthopaedics).

Further information

To see more about Stewart's prosthetic journey please see Case Study 3 from the Dorset Orthopaedic webinar. Please note you will need to be logged in to watch this video.