Special Guest

The bionic leg that gave Mathew Newburry life a lift: Amputee fitted with limb that lets him cycle, walk backwards and even go skiing.

Matthew Newbury, the first UK patient to receive a new bionic prosthetic leg system 'Genium' [Photo: Courtesy of Jenny Goodall]He lost a leg in a motorcycle accident but property developer Matthew Newbury has no trouble scaling the ladders and scaffolding on his building sites.  He is the first Briton to be fitted with the latest state-of-the-art bionic limb and says it has transformed his life.

Mr Newbury, who lost his left leg above the knee, has had prosthetic replacements before but none have allowed him to move as freely as the £50,000 Genium.

He can even ski and walk backwards.

'The difference is just vast,' said Mr Newbury, 30, as quoted by The Dailymail. 

Matthew, said: “I have been to hell and back since my accident and wanted to reward myself. With my old leg, a lot of the time I'd be walking gingerly, avoiding tripping up, but now I can walk with much more confidence, I can climb stairs in a much more natural New lease on life: Matthew's leg's new technology means he can programme the limb to suit the day's activities [Photo: By courtesy]way. But the best thing is I'm not tired all the time. I have my life back. I can go out for drinks and dinner until late without feeling exhausted."

He is so happy with his 'super limb' that he says it works better than his right leg, which survived the 1997 accident but was badly damaged.

The combination of motion and speed sensors and advanced computing mean that the Genium, made by German firm Otto Bock Healthcare, can detect small changes in movement and direction.

This makes it better than other models at changing the rigidity of the knee, providing better balance and stability. Cycling, skiing, golf and table tennis are all possible.

In Mr Newbury's case, his leg will allow him to work the pedals on his light aircraft. He can also get around his own building sites. Even simple tasks such as crossing the road have become easier for him. He said: 'I am now able to walk, ride and navigate life without a second thought.'

His prosthetist, Richard Nieveen, of ProActive Prosthetics in Elstead, Surrey, said: 'It is very encouraging to see Matthew so well with this new knee and we will be watching his progress with great interest.'

The entrepreneur, who lives in central London, spent 18 months in hospital after his crash in which a Land Rover collided with the motorbike he was riding pillion on. How the leg works [illustrated by The Dailymail]Doctors managed to save his right leg after 11 skin grafts but Mr Newbury later received £2.1million compensation, some of which he spent on fast cars, including a Porsche with the licence plate HA5 1 LEG.

The personalised plate, which had staff at the car showroom in stitches, cost another £700. Matthew, who now has a prosthetic limb, said: “I have been to hell and back since my accident and wanted to reward myself. “Despite everything that has happened I like to think I can still have a laugh at myself."

He also used it to set up a building company and he is now said to be worth more than £9million. Wow! [from various resources] [rs]