For the first time in over 5 years, Susan Fumagalli Mahoney was able to walk again.

In 2016, Susan Fumagalli Mahoney, Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Compliance Officer at Gettysburg College, suffered severe lower extremity injuries which led to her left leg being amputated below the knee. Due to long-term complications, including nerve entrapment syndrome and scar tissue, she was unable to use a conventional socket prosthesis. “I had never been able to get into a socket,” says Susan. “We tried getting me into a below-knee prosthesis but the pain from the issues was so unbelievably significant, and then I started to have really bad skin breakdown.”

Thanks to treatment by highly skilled specialists with the OPRA™ Implant System, she was able to overcome her challenges and regain her mobility. During an interview with Integrum, as encouragement and inspiration to the limb loss community, she shares her journey to recovery.

Recalling life-changing osseointegration surgery; a true miracle

Susan received initial treatment for her post-amputation complications and was referred to Johns Hopkins Medicine, and the care of orthopaedic oncologist Dr. Jonathan Forsberg and plastic surgeon Dr. Jaimie Shores.

Prior to her first appointment at Johns Hopkins, she delved into the field of bone-anchored prosthetics and actively participated in Cosi Talks, a live weekly show in which physical therapist and amputee specialist Cosi Belloso answers questions about limb loss. “It made the doctor-patient conversation so much easier when I met with Dr. Forsberg a couple of weeks later, because I was so educated on OI from that program alone,” Susan says.

After careful evaluation, they decided that her best chance for successful treatment was to amputate the leg above the knee, and receive the OPRA™ Implant System. “I was completely confident going into the surgery and the results have matched what my expectations were—exceeded my expectations, actually,” she says.

She underwent stage one surgery in May 2020 and had stage two surgery a few months later. “There was another OI patient at Johns Hopkins who had his stage two surgery the exact same time I did, and we’ve been able to connect and just exchange: What are we doing in physical therapy? How’s it going? What’s working? What are you being challenged with? Those questions back and forth have been really helpful, and it has certainly been beneficial to my rehabilitation.”

Road to recovery: one step at a time

Susan said she has received excellent care from the OI team and the prosthetist throughout her rehabilitation. “My first steps were between the parallel bars, then progressed to the crutches, then 1 cane, and I’m happy to say that right now I am walking completely unassisted. It was amazing how little pain I had going through the femur, which gave me all sorts of hope.”

Osseointegration has enabled her to walk for the first time in over 5 years. She recalls when she returned to the office following her treatment. “My colleagues were like, ‘Wait a minute, you’re walking!’ So I had my moment of pure excitement when I was able to walk, and now they’re seeing it and they’re just ecstatic.”

Confident in further treatment

Since Susan underwent the procedure on her left leg, she began having some significant problems with her lower right leg. She received the OPRA Implant System for her right leg and is now a bilateral user.

What Susan says

Susan says her favorite thing about having the OPRA Implant System is: there are many! “The osseoperception and proprioception are incredible.  I don’t have to look down to know where my foot is or is going to land, and I can feel all different types of surfaces under my feet. I can also feel my service dog, Marshal, when he puts his head or paws across my feet, and feeling him and his love is powerful!  I am also wearing my legs all day, every day, without a second thought. I am able to walk miles with Marshal every day. Every step is a gift!”

We asked her what she can do with the OPRA Implant System that she couldn’t do before: “Walk! I was never going to be successful in traditional socket technology. A life of not being able to walk was inconceivable for someone like me, who once led an active life. I can navigate all sorts of different terrains with confidence, I am walking unassisted, and excited to try new things like yoga, sailing, and–instead of running 5ks like I used to–I can walk them!”

She also has some advice to those considering bone-anchored prosthetics: “Trust the process.  OPRA is the only FDA approved method of osseointegration with decades of successful outcomes. It may seem like a daunting process, but it is a finite term for the rest of your life! Every step of the process, starting with Stage I, progress towards the end goal is always being achieved. It is amazing technology that will enable you to achieve what you once thought was the impossible. You will have a life enhanced!”