WHEN Justyn Lynk had the chance to use new equipment developed by NASA to aid his rehabilitation from a knee op, he felt he was literally walking on the moon.

For the 39-year-old father of two from Merley near Wimborne, is one of the first patients in Dorset to benefit from using an anti gravity treadmill known as AlterG.

Justyn, who has been suffering from an old sports injury for five years, explained: “I tore a ligament playing football with the children in the garden. At first it seemed to be healing, but as time went on it became more and more unstable.

“I went back to my doctor and had a course of physiotherapy but it didn’t appear to be getting any better until eventually, my knee just gave way and I ended up on the ground.”

Justyn eventually had surgery on his knee at the end of October, and can already walk without crutches.

The speed of his recovery is said to be due to the AlterG, a £30,000 piece of equipment often used by premiership footballers.

But now anyone can benefit from the technology as The Harbour in Poole, is the first out of 67 BMI hospitals to trial it.

Justyn explains: “It’s a strange feeling – rather like walking in a tank of water – but it’s the only time I feel I am able to walk completely normally again.”

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Adrian Harvey, who specialises in knee surgery, said he was impressed with what he has seen so far.

“It is still quite new technology, but early indications are impressive. It works by using antigravity technology to reduce body weight from between 20 to 100 per cent which helps to mobilise without weight bearing.

“It will be especially effective for patients who have had knee replacements as their post-operative recovery will be faster and more comfortable.”

The hospital’s physiotherapy manager Jon Swan agreed: “It aids rehabilitation by putting less stress on joints and muscles and without the need for crutches.

It is particularly good for people with knee and hip arthritis or recovering from sports injuries or foot and ankle pain.”