What began as routine surgery to repair a torn cartilage turned into 22 months of pain and 17 medical procedures as physicians fought to save a young construction worker's knee. Unfortunately, the severe nerve damage resulting from a surgical misstep required an above the knee amputation of his left leg.

A robust 30-year-old employed in carpentry and landscape construction became a jobless, handicapped statistic, unable to walk and fully disabled. That was a decade ago. Today, Greg is a vigorous, out-going husband and father who enjoys life to the fullest. He, his wife Kristine, and their four lively daughters live in Wading River, Long Island, where Kristine works part-time as a licensed practical nurse.

Although Greg is a stay-at-home dad, he doesn't stay on the couch. Far from it. Thanks to excellent rehabilitation care and tremendous advances in prosthetics technology, this trim 40-year-old balances household duties with entertaining his offspring - ages 11, five, and twins who celebrated their third birthday on July 12th. Fishing and bow hunting are two of his favorite sports.

It wasn't always this way, however.

"My first prosthesis should have been fine - a Flex-Foot with a pylon and a mechanical knee. But my original prosthetist was never able to get it to fit right. It was so painful that I couldn't walk," Greg recalled.

In 1993, he became a patient at Lehneis Orthotics and Prosthetics Associates. Last year, Greg was introduced to the ultimate in prosthetic components, a computer-controlled C-LegŪ from Otto Bock.

"I've been through so many knees and legs - destroyed most of them because I'm so active!" he laughed. "But this C-Leg is absolutely the greatest."

Greg gratefully acknowledges that he has his prosthetist, Alfred Lehneis, CPO, FAAOP, to thank for securing the costly component for him. Feeling strongly that his patient was ideally suited for the C-Leg's high performance technology, Greg's practitioner worked closely with reimbursement sources to obtain approval.

"He really went to bat for me and I appreciate it," Greg explained.

"Fred and the whole Lehneis staff in general are absolutely wonderful people. I was amazed at the care he took with me, making sure everything worked right and that I was completely comfortable. I've been off and running ever since coming to Lehneis," he laughed heartily.

Functioning like a lightning-quick control center, the lightweight C-Leg uses multiple components, including a microprocessor, hydraulics, servo-motors, and a Lithium-Ion battery, recording Greg's leg and knee position 50 times-per-second to match control of the knee to his stance and stride. Particularly valuable on uneven terrain, inclines, or stairs, it immediately adapts to different walking speeds and lets him walk naturally and confidently, without anticipating the next step.

"Absolutely nothing even compares to this C-Leg, and I've had every leg there is," Greg stressed. "The C-Leg is as close to normal walking as they're ever going to make a leg - it gives me lots more confidence that I'm not going to take a fall," he added.

Where the C-Leg especially shows its mettle is in Greg's annual bear hunting trips to the Canadian wilderness. Joking that at 6'1" tall and 165 pounds, he's a "man of steel," Greg quickly adds that the 'steel' includes his carbon fiber prosthesis and 72-pound-draw compound bow that he wields during archery season. His score so far? Five trips and five bear.

"I wake up every day with a smile on my face," he interjected sincerely. "Probably 80% of the reason for that is I'm finally able to get around easily and walk normally. I'm really thankful."