Bone replacements for a rabbit? Is that possible?

Question
I've got an unusual question...
My rabbit developed osteomyelitis in his foot. He got it from pedodermatitis caused by some sort of resistant bacteria, so it spread fast and he had(and still has)to be on very aggressive treatment plan.
The infection did get to the bone, making it very fragile and causing it to break.
We are now facing amputation, but waiting on his overall health to get better first (following the vet's advice)
I really do not want for his foot to get amputated and was wondering if you knew of any resources/articles online on vets maybe trying to save animals' limbs with, let’s say, titanium rods/implants or something similar?
I would basically like to find a veterinarian, maybe working for a university or experimental/research program that would be willing to do something crazy like that for the sake of science.
I know it’s a long shot, but maybe you've heard about it or read about it somewhere...
It just seems odd that we live in a 21 century yet the only solution to broken bones in animals is amputation...
I know the rabbit will live a normal happy life even without his leg, but I would like to see if we can save it first.
Thank you  

Answer
Dear Allestaire,

At this time, there are no options for limb replacements in rabbits.  The prosthetics of proper size and manufacture simply don't exist.  By the time you had someone manufacture something like this, it would cost thousands of dollars, and your bunny would have been suffering for a long time.

We have had more than a few "tripod" bunnies, and they all have done just fine.  A hind limb is actually not as bad to lose as a front limb, as the bunny can still groom with the front paws, and some can race around like mad!  Many bunnies feel so much better after the amputation of a painful, infected leg that they start to show behavioral improvement almost immediately.

I am sorry that bone replacement really isn't available for bunnies.  Not yet.  Most amputations of this sort will be done mid-femur, since there isn't enough muscle padding on the lower leg to support an amputation lower (the bone would poke through and cause even worse problems).  But we did find that leaving half the femur with a very thick pad of muscle below allowed the bun to rest on the stump and be able to pivot and stand up better than if the entire femur is removed.

I hope this helps you with your decision.

Good luck,

Dana