New leg joy for girl

Christy Grose: Delighted with the change

A little girl from Cornwall is the first child in the world to try out a new artificial leg.

Christy Grose, five, from Mount Hawke, near Redruth, was born without hands or a lower right leg, although the right leg she did have had toes.

Surgeons in Leeds took the right leg's toes in August 2000 and attached them to her left hand. They then took a toe from her left foot and attached this to her right hand, giving her the ability to grip.

Now Christy has a new leg boasting a revolutionary new ankle joint design, which is more flexible, helping her to walk more naturally and even ride a bicycle.

More operations

Her father, Julian, said: "It's the world's first artificial limb ankle joint.

"It doesn't look any different from her old leg, it's basically in the making process. It's a lot easier to get the toes at the right angle or move the foot to where it needs to go."

"She walks very well now."

The new leg helps Christy ride her bike more easily

For Christy, there are other benefits. The new leg is heavier and feels much like her complete left one.

She said she is delighted with the change.

She said: "My new leg feels better. I like it when I can ride my bike when I go to my friend's house."

Christy's leg will have to be replaced frequently as she grows, at a cost of about £3,000 per limb. There will also be many more operations to give her more dexterity in her new fingers.

But she is determined that nothing will stop her from doing what she wants.