Christian is back as a firefighter
When firefighter Christian Andersson lost his leg in a traffic accident, few people thought he would be able to continue in his profession. 18 months later, he was back on duty, thanks to his strong will and a Genium X3 prosthesis.
– It would never have been possible to work as a firefighter without my prosthesis, he says.
Fighting fires is in the blood. At least in Christian Andersson's case. He is the third generation of firefighters from the Andersson family and now his eldest son wants to follow in his footsteps as well.
– Firefighting really does run in the family, he says.
It's not just at work where things are high tempo. With a wife and four children, seven dogs, four horses, two cats, two rabbits and a fox that steals cat food on the farm, there is always something to be done.
– I have a very active lifestyle that involves a lot of movement and physical activity, says Christian with a smile.
Road to recovery
In 2019, Christian was involved in a serious traffic accident.
– I was involved a motorbike accident. My leg was injured so badly that it could not be saved. After several surgeries, it became necessary to amputate. They amputated about five centimetres above the knee, he says.
Most people would have started looking for another profession, but not Christian. He was determined to come back.
– I trained and trained and trained. I had a mechanical knee joint briefly in the beginning but, quickly realised that I needed more advanced components to do my job as a firefighter. I then trialled a Genium X3, which offers stability and quality.
After a year and a half of training and renewed professional tests, he was back on the job.
– I had to retake all the tests and required criteria to be allowed to return as a firefighter. It took a while, but I did it! The prosthesis has worked well, but most of the work I did myself by training my strength and balance. I have managed to come back in a remarkable way, he says proudly.
Smart prosthesis that creates security
Christian feels that the biggest difference between the mechanical prosthesis and the Genium X3 is that the latter provides security, both in terms of walking and mobility.
– I live in a place where I need a stable prosthesis that I can rely on. Now I can walk without thinking. With the mechanical prosthesis I would sometimes fall, but with the Genium X3 that almost never happens. I would never have been able to work as a firefighter without it, he says.
Today he performs all the tasks of a firefighter except smoke diving.
– Some things take me a little longer, like climbing a ladder. But it works. I've had great support from my employer, colleagues and family throughout my whole recovery.
Christian believes he is the only Swedish firefighter to have a prosthesis that goes above the knee joint.
– I have had contact with a firefighter in the US and one in Canada who are both in the same situation as me. It helped me during my recovery, talking to others in the same situation. I was inspired by their way of training and managing their prostheses in everyday life, he says.
Grateful for the support from his CPO specialist
Mats Nenzelius, CPO/Ortopedingenjör (in Swedish) at Ottobock Care and Christian's prescribing clinician, is also proud of his progress.
– We started with a mechanical knee joint but quickly realised that a more advanced component was needed to provide Christian with the best opportunities that are possible. The Genium X3 provides stability in the knee joint, works off-road, is robust against shocks and is water resistant. I don't feel that there have been many problems with the prosthesis, Christian has done most of the work himself with his training, says Mats, however, he is quickly interrupted by Christian.
– But you've helped me all the way and have always been there. No matter when during the week I have needed help or adjustments, you have immediately taken the time. Your quick responses and help have been crucial to my recovery. Sometimes you have even opened the workshop on a Saturday to help me. I have a lot to thank you for, says Christian warmly.