The 35th annual Festival of Trees is the University of Alberta’s prime fundraiser and for many it’s the unofficial kickoff to the Christmas season.
The Edmonton Convention Centre’s stunning transformation from a concrete cavern into an enchanted forest wonderland returns Nov. 27 to Dec. 1.
This year’s twinkling lights, stylishly decorated trees and rows of sweet-smelling gingerbread houses evoke the colours and fragrances of the season, and offer a strong incentive to jump into the holiday spirit.
But underneath the dazzle, the festival is attempting to raise $1 million to support the hospital’s program around osseointegration. This funding will make the University of Alberta Hospital the first hospital in western Canada to provide the procedure.
As Dr. Robert Stiegelmar, an orthopaedic surgeon, explained, osseointegration is a surgical technique for persons with leg amputations usually above the knee. The technique connects a titanium implant to living bone, similar to a dental implant.
During surgery, a surgeon inserts an implant into the centre of the femur (thigh bone). The implant is porous and the bone fuses to it over a period of time.
The end of the implant juts out of the thigh through an opening called a stoma. A special connector allows the patient to attach the implant to a prosthesis.
“We have funding for 10 patients and we’re trying to get the best patients,” said Stiegelmar. He added the hospital plans to start procedures in February 2020.
Alberta hospitals have conducted 450 amputations from motorcycle collisions, industrial accidents, motor vehicle collisions, recreational events and infections. At the moment, three are eligible candidates for osseointegration.
“They were amputated above the knee and we think they have the most to gain,” Stiegelmar said.
Previous prosthetics fitted on the thigh stump caused sweating, lesions, infections, allergic reactions, vascular disorders and reduced mobility.
One of Stiegelmar’s patients was in a car accident in high school and had to receive an amputation. Married with children, she reached a point where she was unable to walk.
“She couldn’t play with her kids or go out for a walk or stand. Her goal was to go to her daughter’s wedding.”
He added that osseointegration eliminates sweating, pressure points and skin breakdown. The newer prosthetic can be worn longer on a daily basis. It also has a more comfortable sitting position with better hip range of motion. Overall, it improves the quality of life.
Project researchers have estimated the cost of a surgical procedure and rehabilitation at an average of $70,000.
The hospital already inserts metal rods into femurs and conducts total hip replacements. Since osseointegration uses a similar process and technique, no new surgical equipment will be needed.
“Any issues that come up may have to do with the prosthetic’s longevity. Our funding for 10 patients is to see how well it works and to do an analysis and closely monitor how well it functions.”
Edmonton Convention Centre is at 9797 Jasper Ave. Festival hours are Thursday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is: adults $12, youth/senior $7, child two to 12 years and special needs guests $3. Available at door or through an app.
