Karolina Siwicka, MD, PhD: A New Era in Post-Amputation Treatment. Osseointegration at the Paley European Institute

Modern reconstructive surgery is striving toward a goal that seemed impossible just a few decades ago: the complete symbiosis of human and technology. At the Paley European Institute (PEI), this vision is becoming a reality thanks to the osseointegration program led by Dr. Karolina Siwicka, MD. As one of the few specialists in the world, Dr. Siwicka combines the craftsmanship of an orthopedic surgeon with cutting-edge knowledge of durable biomechanical connections, offering patients the chance to regain a level of function that nearly matches that which they had before the loss of a limb.

From this article you will learn:

• International foundations of knowledge and experience
• The Australian Revolution: A Meeting with the Pioneers of Osseointegration
• Osseointegration: A Breakthrough in Quality of Life
• An Interdisciplinary Approach to Patient Care at PEI

International foundations of knowledge and experience

Dr. Karolina Siwicka’s expertise is rooted in a unique professional career spanning over two decades and spanning four continents. After graduating from the Medical University of Gdańsk, Dr. Siwicka built her career at some of the world’s most prestigious medical centers. For nearly six years, she worked at Nagoya University in Japan, where she earned her Ph.D. and conducted advanced research on bone regeneration and hand surgery. She gained further experience in South Africa and Malawi, where she treated complex bone deformities and infections using the Ilizarov method under challenging clinical conditions. This global perspective allowed her to develop the philosophy of “less is more,” which emphasizes maximum functionality with minimal strain on the patient’s body.

The Australian Revolution: A Meeting with the Pioneers of Osseointegration

A pivotal moment in the development of the Polish osseointegration program was Dr. Siwicka’s collaboration with Prof. Munjed Al Muderis in Sydney. It was in Australia, under the guidance of the global pioneer of this method, that Dr. Siwicka co-led research on the safety and efficacy of implants fixed directly into the bone. Her clinical observations confirmed that osseointegration is not only a mechanical solution but, above all, a lifeline for patients in whom traditional cast prostheses fail. The results were particularly significant in patients with diabetic foot, for whom this method significantly accelerates the return to independence and reduces rates of postoperative complications.

Osseointegration: A Breakthrough in Quality of Life

The essence of osseointegration, which Dr. Siwicka implements at the Paley European Institute, is a permanent, structural bond between the implant and living bone. A traditional prosthesis is secured to the stump using a socket, which often results in pain, chafing, and instability. In the method used by Dr. Siwicka, the implant becomes an integral part of the skeleton. This allows for direct load transfer and the restoration of so-called osseoperception—a phenomenon through which the patient begins to “feel” the ground on which they are moving. Dr. Siwicka emphasizes that osseointegration is a process that allows the patient to regain nearly 99% of their pre-amputation functionality, eliminating barriers that conventional prosthetics cannot overcome.

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Patient Care at PEI

The success of osseointegration surgery at the Paley European Institute does not end in the operating room. As the program leader, Dr. Karolina Siwicka places great emphasis on comprehensive care. The treatment process is conducted in close collaboration with the prosthetics and rehabilitation teams. Every stage—from initial evaluation, through precise surgical intervention, to learning to walk with the new prosthesis—is carefully planned to ensure maximum safety for the patient and predictable outcomes. Thanks to this approach, Dr. Siwicka’s patients receive not only a modern implant but a complete path to regaining independence and full control over their own bodies.