Great-grandfather, 82, is one of the first to have an artificial ankle made from BULLETPROOF VESTS

A great-grandfather who was barely able to walk due to his crippling osteoarthritis is one of the first in the UK to receive an artificial ankle made from the plastic fibres used in bulletproof vests.

Neil Shuttleworth’s problems began when he tore ligaments in his left ankle after stepping into a pothole on holiday in Cyprus several years ago.

The now 82-year-old’s agony became increasingly worse, forcing him to rely on painkillers every day.

Deciding enough was enough, the grandfather-of-seven, of Huddersfield, came across experts at Spire Leeds Hospital while doing research online.

After being diagnosed with severe primary osteoarthritis in his ankle, Mr Shuttleworth’s consultant told him about total ankle replacement surgery.

Due to it not being available on the NHS, Mr Shuttleworth spent his life savings on the £16,000 operation and went under the knife in January.

This has given Mr Shuttleworth ‘his life back’ and he was even able to achieve his dream of walking down the Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes eating ice cream with his wife of 34-years Christine.

Neil Shuttleworth dreamed of walking down a promenade eating ice cream with his wife Christine without the pain he endured from osteoarthritis. After having a an artificial ankle implanted – made from the material used in bulletproof vests – this was achieved. The pair are pictured on the Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes in a picture they call ‘mission achieved’

Mr Shuttleworth (pictured at 17) was always active. But stepping into a pothole several years ago tore the ligaments in his ankle, leaving him in unbearable pain and unable to walk more than a few yards

X-ray shows the artificial ankle, which uses a high-density E-Poly bearing - a type of polyethylene with added vitamin E

Mr Shuttleworth (pictured left at 17) was always active. But stepping into a pothole tore ligaments in his ankle, leaving him in agony and barely able to walk. The right X-ray shows the implant, which uses a high-density E-Poly bearing – a type of polyethylene with vitamin E

The surgery, known as Rebalance Total Ankle Replacement, uses an implant called Rebalance, which is made from a high-density polyethylene with added vitamin E. 

The vitamin E is said to stop the plastic lining of the implant breaking down. This occurs with existing prosthetics when they interact with oxygen molecules in the body.

This causes the plastic to rot, loosening the implant. 

‘Poly-E’ has been added to artificial hips and knees for years, which reduces the rate of wear and tear by around 85 per cent.  

Professor Nick Harris, a consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon, who performed the procedure, said: ‘The use of E-poly with its better wear characteristics is an exciting development and will hopefully mean ankle replacements will last longer.

‘The results of Neil’s surgery are excellent and there is at least an 80-to-90 per cent chance the ankle replacement will survive for at least 10-to-15 years.’

WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS?

Osteoarthritis – sometimes called ‘wear and tear’ – is a condition that occurs when the surfaces within joints become damaged.

Cartilage covering the ends of bones gradually thin over time, and the bone thickens, according to Arthritis Research UK.    

Around a third of people aged 45 years and over in the UK suffer from the condition. This equates to roughly 8.75 million people. At least 20 million are known to suffer in the US.

It is different to rheumatoid arthritis, a long-term illness in which the immune system causes the body to attack itself, causing painful, swollen and stiff joints.  

Replacement joints are often necessary for osteoarthritis patients, because the joint has been worn down and causes agonising pain.

Speaking of the procedure, Mr Shuttleworth said: ‘When my surgeon asked me what I wanted from the operation, I said I wasn’t expecting to run a marathon, but I wanted to be the best I could be for my age.

‘I said I would like to walk along a promenade hand-in-hand with my wife eating an ice cream but without the pain I had lived with for far too long.

‘The photo we had taken of us doing this was titled “mission achieved”. I sent a copy to my surgeon.’

As well as enjoy an ice cream with his wife, Mr Shuttleworth – who worked in logistics and coding in the RAF during national service from 1956-to-1958 – has also achieved his lifelong dream of flying in a Spitfire.

‘It flies from Biggin Hill in Kent, which was one of the primary defenders of London in the Battle of Britain,’ he said.

‘It was a never-to-be-forgotten experience as I took the controls for quite a while before the pilot took over again and performed the famous “victory roll”. 

‘It was exhilarating.’

Since the surgery, Mr Shuttleworth - who worked in logistics and coding in the RAF during national service from 1956-to-1958 - has achieved his dream of flying in a Spitfire

Since the surgery, Mr Shuttleworth – who worked in logistics and coding in the RAF during national service from 1956-to-1958 – has achieved his dream of flying in a Spitfire

WHAT IS TOTAL ANKLE REPLACEMENT SURGERY? 

Total ankle replacement surgery involves removing the joint and implanting an artificial prosthetic.

It is usually recommended for patients who are older with poor mobility.

Replacement surgery results in more movement and flexibility in the joint than an ankle fusion, which fuses the bones in the ankle into one piece.

Fusion surgery – which is the norm – relieves pain but eliminates movement.   

The replacement procedure is relatively new and therefore the outcomes are more uncertain.

This is why the operation tends to be reserved for older people who are not overly active. 

Failure rates with ankle replacement surgery may be as high as 19 per cent within ten years, with some patients then requiring fusion. 

Due to the uncertainties around ankle replacement surgery, it is not typically available on the NHS.

However, hip fusion used to be the norm, with replacement surgery now being favoured. 

Source: Arthritis Research UK 

Mr Shuttleworth – who used to work in printing – was always active, and would run and cycle across the UK and Europe.

But this all changed when his osteoporosis left him in so much pain he could only stumble a few yards.

Recalling the moment he stepped into the pothole, Mr Shuttleworth said: ‘I was planning to swim around Aphrodite’s Rock as it promises “eternal youth”.

‘We parked in an empty car park, which was the size of a football pitch, and I stepped out of the car into the only pothole anywhere near and tore ligaments.’

After putting up with the pain for years, Mr Shuttleworth knew he had to take action. 

‘I had to do something about it,’ he said. ‘My condition had become intolerable, I had virtually no cartilage and if I went over on my ankle the pain was agonising.

‘I have now got my life back.’  

Mr Shuttleworth walked on crutches and a special boot for the first six weeks after his surgery, which was followed by a six-week physiotherapy regimen.

He can now walk several miles at a time and uses a treadmill on an incline to build up his fitness. 

X-ray shows Mr Shuttleworth's ankle before the surgery, which was affected by severe primary osteoarthritis

He endured joint pain and stiffness for years (X-ray taken before surgery)

Left and right X-rays show Mr Shuttleworth’s ankle pre-surgery, which was affected by severe primary osteoarthritis. He endured joint pain and stiffness for years before taking action

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk