HE flew 4,000 miles to Florida in a last-ditch attempt to save his leg from amputation - and a year on 11-year-old Luca Railton is celebrating finally walking unaided and without callipers.

The Cricklade schoolboy was born with no bone in his right knee, no right tibia and only a partial left tibia due to the rare condition bilateral tibial hemimelia, which affects just one in three million people.

In February last year, doctors in Oxford told the Railtons there was nothing more they could do for Luca and that they would have to amputate or fuse his right leg straight.

But American surgeon Dr Dror Paley, who has treated more than 200 patients with his condition, assured Luca's parents he could treat their son and help him walk without callipers.

After a fundraising campaign which saw his parents raise £100,000 of the £135,000 needed for the series of life-saving procedures, the family travelled to America where Luca underwent his first lengthy operation on March 27.

Between May and November he had three more operations, including one to break his right leg and start lengthening his femur.

Each day for several weeks, his parents had to turn struts placed in their son’s leg to allow the bone to grow.

“From the moment he was born our goal in life has been for him to keep his legs,” said his mother Teresa, 43, who works at Zeal Solutions in Swindon.

“We knew we would do everything in our power for him. Before we went to America, Luca was getting worse. He was in pain and reliant on his crutches. It was awful to see.

“We knew we had to raise £135,000 and our friends have been brilliant.

We have had amazing donations. But if we hadn’t our plan B was to remortgage the house.”

After nine months Luca and his parents returned to their home near Malmesbury on December 19.

Since his return, Luca has made immense progress and over the last week has been able to walk without crutches.

“I think being back at school really motivates him,” said Teresa. “Our next goal is seeing him get stronger every day and improve his walking.”

Despite delays caused by a growth spurt and an agonising healing process, Luca never lost sight of his goal – to walk without suffering, ride a bike and learn to drive.

“The pain would bring him down and make him quiet more than anything," said Teresa.

"It was very hard. The last two weeks of August were the worst. Nothing could help him; he was in so much pain. But he has always been a kid who takes things in his stride. 

"He is very strong-minded. Luca focuses on being able; that’s what drives him.”

The Railtons are due to travel to Florida in October for a check-up. The journey is far from over for Luca who will need to receive further surgery in three years’ time to lengthen his right leg again.

The rod inserted in his leg may also be removed. He will require a knee implant and his legs may also require a few ‘tweaks’.

“It’s getting easier,” said Luca. “It was difficult at times because of the pain.

"The highlight for me was when the frame came off on November 19. And it makes it a lot easier to get dressed in the morning without callipers.

"I can wear skinny jeans and I just wear regular shoes now. It’s been worth it.”