A former West Point football player who lost both of his legs above the knee in combat in May 2007 became the first person to use the latest powered prosthetic legs. Under the eyes of his doctor and prosthetics technician, Lt. Col. Greg Gadson demonstrated the new Power Knee 2 before news media at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, D.C., on April 17. A week before the public demonstration, Gadson had been moving tentatively and falling down. He quickly came to understand how the new prosthetic’s sensors made his gait feel more natural. "These legs really mimic your walk," Gadson said. "I can already see myself doing things that I never would do, like maybe I might go shopping in crowds. Your range and stability is better." He hopes to eventually wear the prosthetic legs for longer durations, and use them with only one cane. Presently, he can wear them no longer than two to four hours a day, and still uses a cane to help stay stable.
