Four-year-old Bulli girl Sophia Jans has taken her first steps after her second leg lengthening and ankle surgery in the US last week.
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In January 2016, Sophia became the third Australian to undergo the pioneering surgery at the Paley Institute in Florida.
Born with fibular hemimelia - which means she has no fibula in her right leg, a shortened tibia and just three toes - the only alternative was amputation.
The first surgery was a success, however her parents Carley and Chris Jans always knew she'd need further lengthening surgeries as she grew.
"Sophia underwent her second reconstructive and lengthening surgery on July 16," Mrs Jans said on Friday.
"It involved fusing her ankle to bring it back to 90 degrees to her leg, inserting an A plate into the lower part of her femur to stabilise her knee.
"Her tibia - lower leg bone - was broken and the Ilzarov frame was applied which will be used to lengthen her leg."
The six-hour surgery went well; Sophia has taken her first steps this week and will undergo extensive physiotherapy ahead of her return home in October.
"She has been in quite a bit of pain as you can imagine but she is very resilient," Mrs Jans said.
"Her recovery now will involve daily physiotherapy and we have commenced the lengthening process which includes turning struts on the frame each day that pulls the two pieces of bone apart so that new bone forms in the gap.
"This will continue over the next three months."
The Illawarra community has rallied around the little girl - helping raise the $250,000 needed for the first surgery. The community again rallied to raise most of the $170,000 needed for this subsequent surgery.
Mrs Jans said she and her husband were amazed by the financial, and emotional support, from the community - with many well wishers posting on the Save Sophia's Leg Facebook page.
"It has been incredibly hard to watch Sophia go through this surgery but we keep the end goal in mind constantly - that she will walk on her own two feet," she said.
"She has been a real trooper throughout but we have had many tears over the past week."
Sophia's last surgery will take place once her growth plates have closed over - around age 16 - but there is the possibility she might need an additional lengthening surgery prior to that.
For now the little girl - who turns five this week - is looking forward to starting Kindergarten next year.
"She is now up and walking and she is so proud of herself to be doing that," Mrs Jans said.
"She is so excited to show everyone how well she can walk. I think once the frame is removed there really will be no stopping her."