New Implant Helps Amputees at Salt Lake VA Hospital

Two veterans take their first steps on revolutionary prosthetic legs
Deseret News
By Jed Boal
Published: Friday, Feb. 26 2016
Updated: 12 hours ago

If the trial proves successful, both veterans hope the new artificial legs will improve the lives of other veteran and civilian amputees.

Bryant Jacobs of Herriman, who is learning to walk for the third time: first, as an infant; second, with his socket prosthetic; and now, with his percutaneous osseointegrated prostheses, or POP implant. He is part of a 10-year study to see if this prosthetic will improve the lives of other veteran and civilian amputees. In Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016. Mark Wetzel, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — Two Iraq War veterans are taking their first steps on revolutionary prosthetic legs at the Salt Lake VA Hospital.

This is literally the next step for the veterans since undergoing surgeries for their percutaneous osseointegrated prostheses, or POP implant, in December.

The veterans can now walk on their residual limbs.

"It's all about baby steps right now," said Bryant Jacobs of Herriman, who is learning to walk for the third time: first, as an infant; second, with his socket prosthetic; and now, with his POP implant.

A roadside bomb explosion damaged his leg in Iraq 11 years ago. After nearly a decade of trying to rehabilitate the limb, he decided to have it amputated two years ago.

"We are not setting expectations, we're not doing any of that," Jacobs said. "We're just progressing."
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