Amputee Engineer Constructs Homemade Running Leg for a Mere £150
In an inspiring tale of resilience and ingenuity, Alex Young, a 45-year-old former engineer from Blandford in Dorset, has built his own prosthetic running leg from scratch. Instead of facing the staggering private cost of up to £25,000, Alex spent just £150 on parts, sourcing components online to assemble a functional limb. His remarkable achievement is set to culminate in a 5k charity run for Dorset County Hospital, where he will use his homemade leg to give back to the medical team that supported him.
A Journey from Injury to Amputation
Alex's path to amputation began with a series of health setbacks. In July 2024, he lost his middle toe after developing gangrene from blisters caused by scuffing his foot on swimming pool tiles during a holiday in Turkey. This was compounded by a poorly healed broken ankle from his twenties, which led to a reconstructive operation in May 2025. Post-surgery, he spent 15 weeks in a cast but developed osteomyelitis, a severe bone infection that left him in constant pain.
Faced with two grim options—a year in a full-length leg cast with no movement or amputation—Alex chose the latter. Surgeons warned that even with the cast, there was a 75% chance he would still lose the leg. In August 2025, his leg was amputated, bringing an end to five years of debilitating pain. Alex described waking up pain-free as "amazing," emphasizing that relief was his top priority despite the loss.
DIY Prosthetics: A Cost-Effective Solution
After six and a half weeks in rehabilitation at Dorset County Hospital, Alex was provided with an NHS prosthetic leg. However, he desired a specialized running blade to pursue his goal of fundraising through a charity run. With private options prohibitively expensive, he turned to his engineering background to create his own. Alex scoured auction sites and online retailers, purchasing parts like a metal tube and rubber grip from Amazon, and even a second-hand prosthetic leg from eBay to study its mechanism.
He began the project in October 2025 and completed it last month, designing a leg with a tensioned hydraulic part for spring and cushioning. Alex noted that the socket was the most critical component, ensuring comfort and functionality. Initially, the leg felt strange due to its length, but he quickly adapted, finding it comfortable for running.
Shopping List and Assembly Process
Alex's frugal approach involved a detailed shopping list and step-by-step assembly:
- A spring-back carbon foot for £40
- One hydraulic calf for £35
- A metal tube from Amazon for £11
- Two reverse pyramid connectors for £22 from a parts website
- Rubber grip for the sole from Amazon at £10
To assemble the leg, Alex first attached the calf to the prosthetic foot. He then measured his static NHS prosthetic leg, adding 3.5 inches to accommodate running movement, and cut the metal tube accordingly. Next, he fitted the reverse pyramid connectors to the tube and his prosthetic thigh socket, adjusting screws to allow flexible movement that mimics a natural running gait.
Mental Recovery and Future Plans
Building the prosthetic leg not only saved money but also aided Alex's mental recovery. He described the process as "like playing with mechano," keeping his mind active after the amputation. Living with his partner, Sarah Bawdon, a 45-year-old florist, Alex remains determined and optimistic. He plans to design and build a prosthetic leg for swimming next, showcasing his unwavering spirit.
Alex encourages others facing similar challenges, stating, "You don’t have to be down about losing a leg. It’s an awful thing to lose, but with the right attitude you can go forward." His story highlights the power of innovation and perseverance in overcoming adversity.
