“What I’d tell my former self is: Don’t give up,” says Zach, who lost both of his legs in a workplace accident in 2019. Zach underwent osseointegration with WashU Medicine Physicians at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a groundbreaking surgery to implant prosthesis directly into a patient’s bone.

Before his accident, Zach, a single father of three sons, lived a typical life centered on work and family. “I worked hard to take care of my boys,” he says.

The devoted father was employed at a charcoal factory in Branson, Missouri, when life changed dramatically. On Sept. 5, 2019, a machine at the charcoal factory crushed his legs, leaving him trapped for three hours. As a result, Zach had both legs amputated—his left leg on site and his right at a hospital in Springfield, Missouri, where he was airlifted after the accident.

For two agonizing months, the medical team caring for Zach was unsure if he would even survive. He stayed in the hospital for three months, where he underwent kidney dialysis and 17 surgeries. Zach says that his three sons inspired him to keep fighting during his hospital stay.

Once he was home, Zach’s life looked drastically different. He faced difficulties with everything, including daily tasks such as using the bathroom. He remembers how surprised he was when someone approached him about playing ice hockey. “I went to the store and just as I was leaving, this woman walked up to me and said her son plays sled hockey,” Zach says. “She asked, ‘Have you ever thought about playing hockey?’ I said, ‘Do you realize I’m in a wheelchair with amputated legs?’”

It was a turning point for Zach. After that encounter, he joined a hockey team. As soon as he got on the ice, he fell in love. “I never thought I would be able to play a sport and be competitive,” he says. “Playing hockey lifts my spirits tremendously.”

However, Zach was still experiencing challenges. He had experimented with five different prosthetics for his left limb, but they were uncomfortable and didn’t function well. When his prosthetist heard Ian English, MD, a WashU Medicine orthopedic surgeon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, speak at a conference about innovative treatments for limb loss, including osseointegration, he told Zach about the new treatment option.

Osseointegration consists of a two-stage surgical process in which an implant is first inserted into the bone of the patient’s residual limb. A waiting period of three to six months is observed, during which time the patient heals. Following this period, a second surgery is performed, at which point a second implant attaches to the prosthetic to make sure it’s clear. On average, the osseointegration process takes six months total. Benefits include a more comfortable fit, better mobility, and increased quality of life for patients.

“Dr. English was very informative about the osseointegration process,” Zach says. “He told me the pros and cons of the procedure, listened to my concerns, and answered my questions.”

In November 2023, Dr. English, along with Christopher McAndrew, MD, MSc, a WashU Medicine orthopedic trauma surgeon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, began the osseointegration process with Zach, inserting the first implant into his femur. After a few months’ time, the implant integrated into the bone, at which point the next stage of the process was completed with another surgery.

Following his surgery, Zach has been able to take part in weight training with the new prosthetic and is currently in rehabilitation learning to walk again, thanks to this groundbreaking treatment. After months of rehab, he said the osseointegration already makes a big difference. “I don’t have to worry about the prosthesis falling off,” he says. He has set his sights on playing hockey in the Paralympics one day.

By his side are his sons, now 13, 12, and 8 years old, who are adjusting to their father’s “new normal.” “My boys are transitioning through the medical issues with me,” Zach says.

When asked what he’s most excited about post-osseointegration, Zach doesn’t miss a beat before answering, “Walking. That’s what I want to do. I want to walk again.”

Learn more about orthopedic care and trauma at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.