You might think wounded warriors who have lost an arm or a leg in combat would have a difficult time getting back to a normal life.
But new technology is making that comeback a lot easier.
Our medical editor, Dr. Paul Little, joins us now.
Sir, what have you got?
Randy, one of the most difficult things when you've lost your legs is learning to walk again--
--and it's a thousand times more difficult if you've lost both legs or if the amputation is above the knee.
But an incredible device is helping one soldier overcome those challenges.
It's a warm spring day at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington--
--and Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson is out for a walk--
--but the TV reporters keep getting in his way.
Gadson is demonstrating the latest generation of the Power Knee, developed by the Ossur Corporation.
It takes twice the energy a normal person expends to walk on prosthetic legs--
--but these legs have a built-in advantage.
All the other prostheses that are available are passive devices.
This actually has a motor in it and can help propel somebody with a missing limb forward during their walking.
And we're back on the Newswatch set here.
Joining us is Colonel Greg Gadson, the guy we just saw featured in the little piece that I did.
Colonel Gadson, thanks for dropping by. Thanks for bringing the Power Knees with you.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
There were two major changes that you really liked.
First of all, they're lighter than the others--
--and the second is the battery life is incredible.
Tell us about that.
Right. These legs, as you see, are probably physically close to the same size that a normal leg is.
And so that weight difference definitely makes a difference.
And the first generation of legs only had a battery life of about 4 hours.
These legs have a tremendous battery life.
In fact, the battery life is about 16 hours per battery.
Now, I understand you can adjust the way these walk and the way they help you walk through Bluetooth technology.
Tell me about that.
Well, our prosthetist--that's the guy who's responsible for putting the legs together and building the sockets that you wear--
--has a computer and the software to look at each knee individually.
And so just using the Bluetooth technology, the same technology you use to talk on your phone--
--he can communicate with the legs, he can monitor how the legs are responding to you.
And so as you become a more proficient walker, you can convey to him things that you're feeling that you don't like--
--and he can make adjustments to really customize the legs to you.
How about giving us a little demonstration? >>Sure.
One of the things that these powered prosthetics do is they actually help you stand up.
A passive prosthetic, when I have to get up I have to use my arms--
--especially if my butt is below the height of my knees.
It's a real chore to get up.
These legs know I'm sitting because of the angle of my leg--
--and when I'm ready to put weight on it and stand up, it helps me stand up.
Okay.
Wow. I even had to push myself out of the chair there. >>Yep.
That just pushed you right up. >>Yep.
Okay. I'll get this one for you. Okay.
The canes help you stabilize, it's for your balance.
Right. Well, they do and they are right now kind of a security blanket.
Because you've only had them 10 days, right?
I've only had them 10 days.
Show me a little bit here on our running path that we've got here in the studio.
Okay.
That is really amazing.
What would you say to our wounded warriors out in the field who maybe have lost a leg or both legs?
How does this look for them? What kind of opportunity does this give them to look forward to in the future?
First of all, the first thing I would say is it's all about your attitude.
You've got to be optimistic.
The technology is part of it, but I think your heart and your attitude are the bigger part of recovering.
And it's really just having an attitude that you want to get back into life--
--and you want to find what that new normal is.
That's the first step that I tell anybody.
And this is just one of many promising technologies that are out there that our government is behind--
--and that our nation is behind us, and if you've got the right attitude, the sky is the limit--
--because these things are just going to keep getting better.
Colonel Greg Gadson, you are a true soldier, and it's been a pleasure having you here on Army Newswatch.
Thank you.