Revolutionary Prosthetic Surgery Now More Accessible in France thanks to National Health Coverage
A groundbreaking surgery offering hope to amputees and sufferers of phantom limb pain is becoming more widely available in France, thanks to recent changes in national health coverage. The procedure, involving a highly advanced prosthetic controlled by the patient’s thoughts, previously cost between €150,000 and €200,000 – a significant barrier to access. However, the Assurance Maladie (French National Health Insurance) now fully covers the cost, a change that is already demonstrating positive results.
Dr. Edward de keating Hart, the surgeon pioneering this technique at the Jules Verne Clinic, explains that the full coverage is “democratizing the practice.” Previously, he performed approximately one such operation every two years. He now anticipates doubling that rate to two per year, stating, “We are already seeing the effects, as these last years, we operated on a patient every two years, and we are going to start operating on two per year. We feel that this financial lock, which has been lifted, encourages patients to embark on this adventure.” The most recent patient had her costs fully covered, paving the way for broader access. Another patient is scheduled for the procedure within the next 6-8 months.
Though, the surgery offers more than just restoring lost function. Dr. de Keating Hart emphasizes its dual purpose: “to replace an upper limb amputation, but also to decrease and treat phantom limb pain.” He clarifies that the procedure isn’t limited to those seeking thought-controlled prosthetics,but also benefits patients who have tired traditional medical treatments for phantom limb pain. “This surgery doesn’t just have a functional aim, it’s also an excellent treatment for neuropathic pain (phantom limb pain), which is an extremely unpleasant and very disabling pain.”
[Image of the patient’s operation by Dr. de Keating Hart – Jules Verne Clinic DR is included in the original article.]
You can listen to Dr.Edward de Keating Hart discuss the procedure here/t:r(unknown)/medias/6cOIUcKx8a/audio/Chirurgie_TNR_autre_patiente_web_1771234655680.mp3).