John Loosen has worn a prosthetic leg long enough — four decades — that it is second nature. But there are still simple movements that are struggles against gravity: walking down hills or up stairs, stepping backward or over obstacles, swinging a golf club.
But this week Mr. Loosen got a new device that he, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Pentagon hope will make a major difference for not just hundreds of service members wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan, but also thousands of older veterans who have lost legs to combat or diseases like diabetes.
The device, known as the X2, is a prosthetic knee loaded with microprocessors, sensors and even a gyroscope that gives amputees more freedom of movement, and better balance, than previous prostheses, veterans affairs officials say. It is smaller, lighter and has a longer-lasting battery (up to four days) than other widely used prostheses.
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While the new knee will certainly help younger service members hoping to return to active lives after amputations, it may have even greater impact on older veterans, a much larger population. Since 2001, there have been about 900 troops who lost legs or arms in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. But each year, about 5,000 veterans lose legs to disease or accidents. In addition, there are about 45,000 veterans who have already had leg amputations, according to the veterans department.
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