Computerised knee first for Cumbrian hospitals

John Miller (centre) is the first patient to have a new computerised prosthetic knee Credit: North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust

Computerised prosthetic knees are being given to Cumbrian NHS patients for the first time.

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust is the first in the county to offer the prosthetics, previously only available to serving and ex-service men and women.

The Microprocessor Controlled Knees or MPK prosthetics use an internal computer to monitor the wearer’s walking pattern and make automatic adjustments when changing walking speed or using stairs.

John Miller, 61 from Workington was the first patient to receive one of the prosthetic knees six weeks ago. He said: “It has made a huge difference to my life.

“I used to fall about eight or nine times a month but I’ve not fallen once since I got the new knee.”

Niki Tebbutt, clinical specialist physiotherapist in amputee rehabilitation for the Trust, explained the importance of the MPKs: