‘I didn't even know donor bone existed’
With her deformed leg, Bo had trouble walking. A bone transplant provided the solution.
14 oktober 2021
What is wrong with your leg?
‘Cartilage was growing on my kneecap. As a result, my leg couldn't grow properly on the inside and it became O-shaped. I walked with a bit of a waddle. It started around the age of 8, when I began walking with a kind of hop. A vertebra was also growing crookedly. Various doctors didn't know what it was, until a specialist in Leiden discovered it was Ollier's disease. Because of that, I had tumors made of cartilage. That was a shock, but it was benign. Once I finished growing, surgery would be necessary; otherwise, I would eventually be able to walk very poorly or perhaps not at all.’
But you were already operated on last year, why?
‘The deformity was progressing too quickly. I had a lot of pain when walking and playing hockey. It was also annoying that everyone looked at me on the street and stared at me when I started secondary school. That's understandable, but it made me very insecure. I wanted to be like everyone else. It affected me as a person.’
How did the surgery work?
‘With photos and an animation, the doctor explained what they were going to do. They had to reattach my lower leg to my upper leg. For that, they wanted to use bone tissue from a donor. I knew what organ donation was, but I had never heard of donor bone. My parents hadn't either. It was also nerve-wracking because this surgery had never been performed before. They did it in virtual reality first.’
“I knew what organ donation was, but I had never heard of donor bone.”
How are things now, a year later?
‘Good! The recovery went faster than expected, but it couldn't go fast enough for me. I was in a wheelchair and used crutches for almost 5 months. The surgery was in July last year, and at the end of October, I was allowed to start practicing carefully with physical therapy. Being dependent on others was frustrating, but now I'm happy. I look normal again and I've gained more self-confidence. And at school, I feel much better about myself. I also went back to hockey as soon as possible. First for the social aspect, and now I'm working on playmaking, speed, and fitness.’
Was it nerve-wracking that the doctor was performing this surgery for the first time?
‘Definitely! He was looking forward to it because it was such a special surgery. I have an extra good bond with him, also because he is happy with the result from his professional perspective. So it's great for both of us.’
Do you ever think about the donor bone in your leg?
‘I don't dwell on it much, but I do think it's special. I'm glad there was someone who helped me with this. It's nice that this is possible.’
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