Icexpress gives double amputee a second chance at earning a livelihood

	Icexpress physiotherapist, Tarina Coetzee, with Lion at the Muelmed rehab gym.
	Lion on the first day that he walked without crutches or support.

Provider of hi-tech prosthetics, Icexpress, has again delivered against its goal of helping to achieve a better quality of life for Africa's amputees. The company recently designed and fitted two prosthetic limbs for double amputee, Lion Netshitavhadulu.

A forklift operator by profession, Lion was injured in a truck accident while traveling with a colleague. "When I woke up in hospital and realised that both my legs were gone, I made my peace with the situation as I didn't see that there was anyway that I could ever be normal again. I felt like half a person".

Working closely with the team at the rehabilitation unit at Muelmed Medi-Clinic, where Lion was accommodated during the acute phase of his rehabilitation, Icexpress was determined to make sure that Lion would not only return to work and be able to provide for his family, but also to restore his dignity and a sense of normalcy in his life. Over a six-week period the Icexpress team designed and fitted two prosthetic legs for Lion, and helped with every step of his rehabilitation.

For Lion's prostheses, Icexpress used the Innovative Mauch Knee®. Mauch's progressively designed hydraulic systems provide amputees with less strenuous and more controlled means of ambulation on various terrains and activities. From running, to walking down stairs, the unit offers a smooth natural gait and a high level of flexibility for more active lifestyles, and safeguard against a potential stumble. This technology is ideally suited to Lion's occupation and the terrain in his home town of Venda.

According to Icexpress Operational Manager, Johan Snyders, the Muelmed team was a vital link in the success of Lion's rehabilitation process. "Our aim was to get Lion back to work. Today, he is living proof that with technology and the right team in place, this is possible for every amputee". The team Snyders is referring to is headed by Melanie Skeen and consists of experienced therapists in both spinal and neuro rehabilitation. Muelmed Rehabilitation Unit's multi-disciplinary approach incorporates the expertise of a wide range of practitioners, including physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists, psychologists, a sexologist, social worker, dietician and complement of compassionate nursing staff.

Tarina Coetzee, a physiotherapist at Icexpress has worked hand in hand with the Muelmed Rehab Unit, focusing on gait training and helping to make Lion's transition into walking with the prostheses as smooth as possible - a process which she describes as similar to learning to walk on stilts with no support. Tarina holds the Muelmed Rehab Unit in very high regard, commenting on the excellent facilities and the rehabilitation gym in particular. "What is really great is the fact that even if I am not around, Lion can go down to the gym and exercise on his own at anytime. The team here at Muelmed is always available to give him all the support he needs".

The synergy with Icexpress is enhanced by the prosthetic company's approach. "The rehabilitation starts from day one to provide the optimum outcome. Lion was fitted within 30 days of the amputation. So instead of waiting up to four months, as is usually the case, the process of fitting and acclimatising happens during the acute phase of the injury", says Snyders. This ensures that the amputee has the full support of a professional healthcare team and their rehabilitation programme incorporates training in the use of the prosthesis.

Remodeled in March 2006, the Muelmed Rehab Unit boasts the only amputee rehabilitation programme in Pretoria. Through use of their Rehabilitation Outcome Management System (ROMS), the team is able to set goals for each patient to address physical, medical, psychosocial and cognitive difficulties. The patients' progress is assessed weekly and the feedback communicated to the referring doctor, medical scheme and family of the patient.

This seamless integration of technology, professional expertise and genuine compassion represents Muelmed Rehab Unit and Icexpress' shared vision. "The bigger goal for us is to get amputees back to work, otherwise they just get completely lost to the labour market", says Snyders. To this end, Icexpress is currently on a drive to make representations to bodies such as the Workman's Compensation Fund and other work-related insurers to show that "instead of just retrenching these injured people, there is a solution that can get them back to work" - a fact that was wholeheartedly endorsed by Lion who, when asked about his plans for the future, replied without hesitation, "I'm going back to work".

For more information on Icexpress and its products and services, contact Johan Snyders at +27 12 844 0405.