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From: Penpoint on 10 Jul 2005 14:22
How much should I expect to be able to bend my knee?

I am a BKA about to get a new prosthesis. I've had my initial
prothesis for about two years, although a year and a half ago I had a
new socket to accommodate stump shrinkage. It's a very simple
prosthesis: Pelite liner (semi-soft, flexible) inserted into a hard
socket (no suction device); an outer sleeve that goes up on my thigh;
straight post; stable foot, no moveable parts. This has served me
well, and both my orthopedist and my prosthetist think I should stay
with this simple style for my next one.

My only concern is that this proshesis allows me to bend my knee only
90 degrees, which makes sitting down on and getting up from low
chairs, toilets, automobile seats, and such, a challenge. Seats in
theaters, buses, airplanes are impossible because I can't tuck my leg
slightly back under my seat, and the seat in front puts me in a vise
because I have long legs.

Do you other BKAs have a similar problem? If not, what kind of
prosthesis do you have that allows you to bend your knee more than 90
degrees?

Thanks,
--Penpoint
From: Simon Mayo on 10 Jul 2005 15:34
I am a double BK and I use suction fit legs but Iam still unable to get more
than 90 degrees of bend at the knee and in fact 90 degrees is a bit of a
tall order. I don't think there is any solution it is something you get used
to (been
a DBK for 12 years now) and learn to adapt to such as only sitting in low
chairs if there are strong armrests to assist in lowering and raising
oneself from the seat etc.
Best wishes
Simon Mayo
"BKPenpoint" <Penpoint(a)hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0rn2d1llv0nhs567qb2tanv47g167k220v(a)4ax.com...
> How much should I expect to be able to bend my knee?
>
> I am a BKA about to get a new prosthesis. I've had my initial
> prothesis for about two years, although a year and a half ago I had a
> new socket to accommodate stump shrinkage. It's a very simple
> prosthesis: Pelite liner (semi-soft, flexible) inserted into a hard
> socket (no suction device); an outer sleeve that goes up on my thigh;
> straight post; stable foot, no moveable parts. This has served me
> well, and both my orthopedist and my prosthetist think I should stay
> with this simple style for my next one.
>
> My only concern is that this proshesis allows me to bend my knee only
> 90 degrees, which makes sitting down on and getting up from low
> chairs, toilets, automobile seats, and such, a challenge. Seats in
> theaters, buses, airplanes are impossible because I can't tuck my leg
> slightly back under my seat, and the seat in front puts me in a vise
> because I have long legs.
>
> Do you other BKAs have a similar problem? If not, what kind of
> prosthesis do you have that allows you to bend your knee more than 90
> degrees?
>
> Thanks,
> --Penpoint


From: Vern on 10 Jul 2005 23:05
I have been in the world of Bk and partial foot amp for almost 10 years (
will be 10 in Aug). I use a hardsocket, with an Iceross sleeve and locking
pin system on a SACH foot. Iam a big guy (but losing some wieght!) this
system has worked fairly well for myself.Before this I had what I think is
called "Michigan linner" some silicon sandwiched be
"Some leatherr, sewn into a soft socket, then inserted into a hard one (with
socks and such) then a neoprene suspension sleeve.
For myself, the suppsension sleeves would want to roll downwards, leaving
me pistoning wayy more than I liked. Also I could not depend on the leg
being attacted when needed.. A prime excample of this is walking up
stairs.. and the sleeve rolling down and coming off my thigh as I stepped.
causing the leg to bounce down the stairs!! Its comical to watch, but
tricky balancing if your not expecting it!!
I can not comfortabbly bend my knee greater than 80-90 degrees As do
sitting it cramped spaces movie theaters ect. I tend to take the leg off
(again the advantage of the Iceross system.. a simple push of a button and
the leg is free and easy to reattach freely through pant legs. I know not
everyone is comfortable with that. (stares worried abotu commentsfrom others
ect) but I figure why should I avoid doing things, or be uncomfortable and
tear up the flesh around my knee just to look "normal". Getting out of low
chairs or without arm rests is also a problem for myself. in my medical
treatment they transplanted mucles from my stomach ( the ones that enable
you to do sit ups) to my legs for blood supply and in an attempt to save
them So not only do I have the "push off" and balance issue of the leg,
but the trunk control is not always there either. So if I am tired, I make
a couple attempts at standing.. this gets the momentum going, and soon
enough I am standing up right.. then just doing the 2 step to make sure I
keep my balance preventing my ispection of the floor with my face!
*laughs*.
As for low chairs around your house... youc ca nbuy chunks of foam and put
them under the coshion.. or build up the legs on a couch with some wood to
make it an easier height for you.
other than that I really dont havemuch else for advice. Just remember not
to worry if you do take your leg off for comfort in public or semi public
places. I would muuch rather field the odd stare than being concomfortable,
hurting, enduring abreassions, and runing the risks of infections and
possible further amputations int he future.

Hope this helps!!

Me

..enpoint" <Penpoint(a)hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0rn2d1llv0nhs567qb2tanv47g167k220v(a)4ax.com...
> How much should I expect to be able to bend my knee?
>
> I am a BKA about to get a new prosthesis. I've had my initial
> prothesis for about two years, although a year and a half ago I had a
> new socket to accommodate stump shrinkage. It's a very simple
> prosthesis: Pelite liner (semi-soft, flexible) inserted into a hard
> socket (no suction device); an outer sleeve that goes up on my thigh;
> straight post; stable foot, no moveable parts. This has served me
> well, and both my orthopedist and my prosthetist think I should stay
> with this simple style for my next one.
>
> My only concern is that this proshesis allows me to bend my knee only
> 90 degrees, which makes sitting down on and getting up from low
> chairs, toilets, automobile seats, and such, a challenge. Seats in
> theaters, buses, airplanes are impossible because I can't tuck my leg
> slightly back under my seat, and the seat in front puts me in a vise
> because I have long legs.
>
> Do you other BKAs have a similar problem? If not, what kind of
> prosthesis do you have that allows you to bend your knee more than 90
> degrees?
>
> Thanks,
> --Penpoint


From: robbie on 11 Jul 2005 13:03
I've beem a BK or 6yrs. I've never been able to bend my leg back much
more than 90deg. Its because the prosthesis supports you with a ledge
that engages the ham strings behind the knee. That plus the thickness
of liners and suspension system makes more than 90deg darn near
impossible.

Bob

From: Penpoint on 14 Jul 2005 00:46
Simon, Vern, and Bob, thanks for the input. It has helped me to make
my decision. My prosthetist casted me today for my new prosthesis,
which will be in the same style as my current one. As the prosthetist
said, "Keep it simple."

--Penpoint



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