Monika has been living with a leg amputation for 36 years. Over the past 15 years, she has struggled with increasing difficulties related to her socket prosthesis, which at one point brought her to the brink of deciding to switch to a wheelchair. Her story is a journey toward osseointegration, an innovative method involving the implantation of a prosthesis directly into the bone, which eliminates the need for a traditional prosthetic socket.

A Dramatic Situation Before the Procedure

For years, Monika suffered from painful stoma care, which became increasingly difficult to manage over time. The pain and discomfort grew until, eventually, she had almost come to terms with the idea of switching to a wheelchair. For a woman with a full-time job, this meant having to give up her beloved career.

Monika’s medical history further complicated the situation. Her amputation was the result of gas gangrene, and many doctors refused to help her with osseointegration, fearing that the bacteria might become active again, which could result in death or another, higher amputation. Monika talks about the fear of death that accompanied her as she searched for a solution.

A Landmark Decision and the Role of Dr. Karolina Siwicka

Monika learned about osseointegration by chance, from a physical therapist at a rehabilitation center. It was a moment that changed her life, although the path to the procedure required finding a doctor willing to take on the risks associated with her complicated medical history.

Dr. Karolina Siwicka, a student of Prof. Al Muderis, a world-renowned pioneer in osseointegration, played a key role. After a thorough risk analysis and international consultations, she undertook the surgery. Despite her trust in the doctor, Monika describes her fear of the surgery, which grew just before the procedure, as well as the support she received from her family during that time, despite their initial terror at the prospect of possible complications.

The rehabilitation process and adjustment to the new leg

Rehabilitation at the Paley European Institute was based on the principle of “slowly, with love and respect.” Due to her weakened bone structure, Monika had to learn to gradually put weight on the implant, starting with just 5 kilograms. It was a long process that required patience, in which every additional kilogram of weight was an achievement.

One of the turning points was mentally accepting the prosthesis as part of her own body, rather than an external device she had to carry in a bag. Monika admits that for years she lived with chronic pain that changed her personality. Thanks to osseointegration surgery and additional therapies—including cupping therapy administered by physical therapist Janina Kowalska—she was finally able to alleviate that pain.

A New Quality of Life and Plans for the Future

The direct connection between the implant and the bone gave Monika something that a socket prosthesis could not provide: proprioception—the sense of the surface she is walking on. Thanks to this, she can now tell the difference between sand, stones, and carpet under her foot.

A modern prosthesis equipped with a mobile app allows her to dance—including Zumba—and plan hiking trips, activities that previously seemed out of reach. Monika was also happy to return to work at the community self-help center. She feels safe and is no longer afraid that her prosthesis will unexpectedly fall off at the wrong moment.

More Than Just Technology

Monika’s story is not just a tale of medical progress. It is also a story about the psychological aspects of living with a disability, the fear of withdrawing from life, and the struggle for dignity. It shows how important a patient-doctor relationship based on honesty about risks and complete professionalism is, and how modern technology—such as electronic knees and apps that control prosthetics—is changing the daily lives of people who have undergone amputations.

Monika also talks about her femininity after the amputation, recalling her participation in a fashion show and how her new prosthesis has affected her self-perception—even when she looks in the mirror while walking. Her story is proof that a doctor’s bold decision and a patient’s consistent effort can restore not only physical function, but above all, freedom and joy in life.