Incredible how good the X4 is!
Jan (70) is married, lives in a dike house in Haaften, and has a son and a grandchild. After a workplace accident on November 14, 2001, he lost his leg. On the Movao platform, Jan blogs about his daily life, always with a "glass-half-full" outlook.
As a demo walker, I have been traveling with Ottobock to Leipzig for years to attend OTWorld, the world’s largest and most important event for manufacturers, retailers, and service providers in modern orthopedic treatment and care. In 2024, I once again introduced visitors to Ottobock’s Genium X4 prosthesis.
OTWorld is an enormous event, where all orthopedic manufacturers showcase the latest innovations. Ottobock is always there too. Back in 2012, with the introduction of the first Genium, I made my first trip to Leipzig as a demo walker. Two years later, I presented the Meridium foot. In 2016, I demonstrated the C-Leg knee prosthesis, and in 2018, the electronic Kenevo knee. The 2020 OTWorld was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 2022, I was back.
As a demo walker, I show visitors how to use a brand-new prosthesis, what the prosthesis can do, and what I can do with it when I wear it. This year, I had the chance to demonstrate the successor to the Genium X3: the Genium X4.
Exceeding My Wildest Expectations
In daily life, I wear the Genium X3 myself. I always thought this prosthesis was the pinnacle for amputees, but the X4 takes it to the next level. Although it looks the same as the X3, the hydraulics and software—the "inside" of the prosthesis—are entirely different. I had tried it once before during the testing phase, but in Leipzig, the prosthesis exceeded my wildest expectations again. It’s unbelievable how good it is. Walking, climbing inclines, stepping back suddenly—the prosthesis provides optimal support.
To be fair, the X4 doesn't let me do anything new that I couldn’t do before, but it perfects the walking experience. For example, with the X4, you get a small boost when walking up an incline, which makes it easier. Plus, the roll-off phase is sublime. In other words, walking with this prosthesis takes less energy. I demonstrated this to all interested visitors in Leipzig when the prosthesis was not yet officially on the market. By now, it’s available, and in my view, it's a significant step forward in the prosthetics world.
Being “On”
As enjoyable as the four-day event is, it’s also exhausting. You’re "on" all day, showing and explaining things. The main language is English, though some visitors bring interpreters as they don’t speak English. Constantly switching between languages is fun but also takes a lot of energy. That’s why I never go straight home on the last day. This time, too, I spent an extra night at the hotel before returning to the Netherlands, allowing myself some rest after the intensive days.
From X3 to X4
At the end of this year, I’ll have had my Genium X3 for six years. After six years, the prosthesis is no longer under warranty, meaning it’s not fully insured anymore. So, I’m eligible for a new one. To be honest, going back to my old prosthesis after trying out the new version felt a bit like a setback. You can imagine that I’ve set my sights on the X4. With the right prosthesis, I can keep moving comfortably and cause the least wear on my body. So, I’ll be working toward that goal!