The Artificial Limbs and Compensatory Equipment Unit at King Saud Medical Complex in Riyadh has succeeded during four years of work to consolidate its presence as a specialized body in the field of manufacturing and installing artificial limbs and compensatory equipment. It provided its services to 5221 cases during the past few years.
We met there Sulayman Ali Al-Rasheed, who said he came to take measurements for his right leg, which has been amputated due to gangrene. "I came here after I heard that this unit offers high quality artificial limbs", he said. "The materials used in manufacturing are of the best quality and the services offered are prompt. Moreover, the unit offers the artificial limb freely, whereas the commercial labs charge very high prices".
The director of the unit Dr. Yahia Saleh Al-Obaili said the unit attained high success in area of installing and manufacturing artificial limbs and compensatory equipment. He said most cases are transferred either from the unit or MOH hospitals.
According to Dr. Al-Obaili, the cases necessitating installation of artificial limbs are diseases resulting in amputation of limbs, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. "Cardiovascular diseases prevent blood flow to the limbs, whereas diabetes hampers the ability of the body to control any defect", he said. "Other conditions causing limb amputation are car accidents, work injuries, and congenital defects".