At the age of 16, active and athletic Michael Orlie was diagnosed with cancer in his lower right knee. He quickly began a yearlong battle with the disease that would require chemotherapy and surgery on the leg. Orlie's surgeons were able to save his leg, but it was less than adequate. He spent the next ten years on and off of crutches trying to get the fused leg to heal. With no mobility in the knee, he was left with few options to continue the lifestyle of a teenager.
Nine years later in June of 1996, Orlie was in a car accident and fractured the femur in the fused leg. He knew now that amputation was a logical solution. He began researching his options and found a world-renowned prosthetist in Oklahoma City. He also found a surgeon who knew about elective amputation. With all the key components in place, Orlie decided to go forward with the surgery. Having the support of his wife and family, he had his left leg amputated above the knee on January 6, 1997, in Dallas, TX.
In late February, Orlie made his first trip to Oklahoma City for the initial fitting for his prosthetic leg. As a teenager, he had dreamed of running track but now he dreamed only to walk like a "normal person" and sit in a chair with a bendable knee. Soon he was not only able to walk like a "normal person," but he was taught to run by his prosthetist Scott Sabolich. At the encouragement of Sabolich, the new amputee decided to compete at a national amputee track meet in Springfield, MA.
This first track meet was a very emotional time for Orlie. For the first time in ten years, he was able to feel the wind in his face as he ran down the track in the 100-meter sprint. He came in last place but was exhilarated. He had learned to run again only just two weeks earlier and now was competing. Since that time, he has competed in three U.S. national meets and in the World Championships in Birmingham, England. He is nationally ranked in the 200m and shotput.
Recently Orlie was fitted with a C-Leg knee system. Not only can he still do most anything he wants, he can now maneuver on rough terrain without worrying about falling or loosing his balance. He can now mow his lawn that is on an incline and carry his two young daughters without worrying about falling.
Michael was able to fulfill some of those childhood dreams that were taken away by cancer and the resulting fused leg. Amputation seemed like an extreme option to many, but to Orlie it was a chance to have a better quality of life. "The most important part of being an amputee is having a prosthetist that I can trust and have a long-term relationship with. I found that in Scott Sabolich and the staff at Scott Sabolich Prosthetics and Research."