Droylsden teenager gets bionic foot

Droylsden teenager Scott Wall has been fitted with a £12,500 bionic foot made by Icelandic company

after he had part of his left leg amputated following a collision with a car.

The replacement foot uses artificial intelligence to mimic a human one, employing a miniature computer and sensors to learn and imitate the way Wall walks. It also learns how a particular movement may signal he is going to change pace, climb or run.

Ossur’s Proprio foot claims physiological benefits for transtibial amputees with a wide automated range of ankle flexion using the compay’s proprietary Flex-Foot dynamics to mimic the human foot.

Ossur says the Proprio foot thinks for itself, responding to changing terrain and transforming the approach to stairs and slopes, as well as level-ground walking. It angles itself appropriately, helping amputees to sit and stand up easily and more naturally. The foot also has a calibrated alignment control feature. The effect is a feeling of improved proprioception with a more balanced, symmetric and confident gait with reduced wear and tear on the back, hips and knees.