"Specialists at St Petersburg's Vreden National Medical Research Centre for Traumatology and Orthopedics performed Russia's first osseointegration prosthesis installation. The innovative technology allows the implant to fuse directly with bone, offering new options for patients who cannot use traditional prosthetics. Footage filmed on Wednesday shows Andrei, the first patient to receive the new treatment after a serious car accident in 2024, undergoing rehabilitation and performing exercises under doctors' supervision. "Since using a conventional hospital prosthesis with a socket was not possible, an alternative was suggested. This is an innovative prosthetic method called osseointegration," the man explained. The procedure involves inserting a titanium implant directly into the bone and securing it to the surrounding tissues. Weeks later, a prosthesis is attached to the implant, allowing movement that closely mimics natural biomechanics. "This is possible because the bone does not wobble in the socket, and the entire load is distributed directly from the bone. This enables the patient to walk properly," noted Alexander Avdeev, head of Department No. 11 at the Vreden National Medical Research Centre. Avdeev emphasised the significance of the technology for thousands of people. "According to the Labour Ministry, 138,000 lower-limb prostheses were issued last year. Just imagine the demand for this technology among the population. In my view, it has the potential to greatly improve patients' quality of life and even allow some to return to work," he added. St Petersburg specialists used exclusively Russian-made components during the surgery. In July, Moscow launched Russia's first full-cycle production of biocompatible medical devices, from processing titanium to making finished prostheses. The move aims to replace Western products and expand the number of osseointegration surgeries. The osseointegration technique, widely used worldwide, was discovered by Swedish doctor Per-Ingvar Branemark in 1952, who found that titanium can fuse with bone. In 1965, he placed the world's first dental implant using this method. Today, this type of prosthetic is used in leading medical centres around the world, including in the United States, Australia, and Turkey. In the US, it has been used since 2021 to treat combat veterans. This method provides treatment options for patients with complex limb injuries, scarring, or increased skin sensitivity."