Bendigo toddler with rare tibial hemimelia condition flourishing after amputation

The 18-month-old was born with tibial hemimelia - a rare birth defect which affects only one in one million babies - meaning the tibia in his right leg was partially formed.

In August, Leonardo had life-changing surgery at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne to have his right leg amputated below the knee.

Leonardo's mother Yah Ruslin Kunoo said the surgery all went to plan, as has his recovery.

"It has been so good," Ms Kunoo said. "He hasn't been in too much pain because we've been giving him all of the prescriptions he needed.

"It's now fully healed but he has to wear a stocking so it doesn't swell up or get infected."

Read more: Bendigo toddler with rare tibial hemimelia condition to have leg amputated

Leonardo has already been fitted for a prosthetic leg, which he will pick up from the hospital next week.

"The doctors thought he was going to be hard to work with it but he was so easy," Ms Kunoo said.

"He's more comfortable with his leg being covered so when they covered it up with the plasters, he wasn't screaming, he was very calm because he felt more secure with it being on."

The 18-month-old will undergo physiotherapy over the next few months to help him adapt to his new leg.

Leonardo's mother said while the surgery and recovery has been pretty smooth, there have been some changes in her son since the operation.

"He's a bit more alert," Ms Kunoo said. "He used to be carefree and very happy with everything. But now he's always seems to be like, what are you doing? Why are you trying to touch my leg?"

Leonardo also used to hold on to the leg that had the tibial hemimelia. Ms Kunoo said he now seems a bit lost without it.

"The first week after the operation, he looked at it and when he couldn't see it, he started punching it," she said. "He used to bring his little leg up and hug it but now that he can't, he brings his other leg up.

"It's good that he's flexible because he lays down and cuddles with it."

While the next few years may be a challenge as Leonardo gets used to his new reality, Ms Kunoo said she was not concerned.

"He has so much support so I'm not even worried about the next step," she said. "I think I was before, but he just did so well that I don't think I need to worry.

"He's such a strong little man. He will work through it. Even when he was hurt, he was smiling through it all."

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.