Kaleo Niko, 13, Decides To Amputate His Legs To Treat Rare Muscular Disorder Arthrogryposis
When the pain in Kaleo Niko’s legs refused to quit, he decided on a drastic treatment option that would change his life forever. After four surgeries to repair two clubbed feet and rare muscular disorder didn’t work, the 13-year-old from Colorado made the decision to amputate both of his legs below the knees.
"He was going to bed and I was rubbing his legs, helping him as he's going to bed and just looks at me, you know he's crying and just says I'm done,” Kaleo’s mother, Helen, told ABC7News. "It was just time. He was ready. He wanted to see what life was like with two working feet."
On Sept. 3, doctors at Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City completed the successful amputation of Kaleo’s legs. The hospital has agreed to finance the operation as well as two prosthetic legs with which he will be fitted on Oct. 21.
Movement in Kaleo’s legs has been restricted since birth due to the clubbed feet and a muscular condition known as arthrogryposis. According to Shriners Hospital, arthrogryposis is a congenital disorder that could affect all joints in the body including hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, feet, and knees. Improper muscle development and stiffening joints can make movement painful.
“My doctors said this was the only option because I’ve already had four other surgeries,” Kaleo told KSL-TV. “It feels really weird because I can wiggle my toes, but I don’t have any toes.”
Kaleo’s orthopedic surgeon at Shriners, Dr. Teresa Hennessey, said that he should be able to walk and even run on his prosthetic legs after he completes his recovery. He plans on using his new legs to compete in his favorite sports, including basketball and golf.