Prev: Hanger Prosthetics??
Next: Dove Hunt for Upper-Extremity Impaiments/ Amputees
From: fxstd on 21 Jun 2005 19:42
I have been a left BK for about 9 months now. Because of my accident,
I had extensive ligament damage in my knee. As a result, I have only
30 - 40 degrees of active flexion with my left leg. Now my knee is
beginning to cause a lot of pain. Recently, I was hospitalized for 4
days because of infection/cellulites in the residual limb.

I'm afraid of where this is going. I think sooner or later I will
become an AK. Right now, my quality of life is low. The limited
range of motion and pain in my knee prevent me from enjoying outdoor
activities and many other things I like to do.

This newsgroup is one of my few sources of information about amputees.
I'm not in any kind of support group or anything like that. I was
hoping some AKs could help me understand how mobile they are and what
their life is like. How well do you get around? I'm sure many people
enjoy outdoor activities - even water sports. Can you hike and get
around "off the beaten path" so to speak? How about jogging or moving
fast? Does it take a special knee?

Thanks for any information you wish to share.

Ken

From: Glenn Woodell on 21 Jun 2005 22:52
Ken,

I sincerely hope you get to keep your knee and get a lot of great use
out of it. If circumstances are different as you imagine, life is
definitely not over with. I am a very active AK of 22 years after a
car accident. You can read my story at
http://www.windvisions.com/me.html.

You can do just fine with pretty basic gear. I have an energy storing
foot but I can tell you that I'd do just fine without it. My knee is
very simple and has the same hydraulic dampener that has been in use
for over 30 years.

I have snowboarded once. That was fun but it just wasn't me. Never
cared for skiing in the days of ten toes either. I roller skate
(quads) occasionally but I used to do it about twice a week. I bike
regularly and windsurf with a passion. Not wind-stand but wind-surf. I
go fast (38 mph is my record), jump and can do back loops.

I walk everywhere with no problems as long as I get a good evening
rest otherwise I start to get sore and/or lose weight. My leg goes on
after my morning shower and comes off just before I hit the bed at
night.

If you do end up losing your knee, rest assured that you will be just
fine.

Glenn

On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 17:42:25 -0600, fxstd <lalala(a)la.net> wrote:

>I have been a left BK for about 9 months now. Because of my accident,
>I had extensive ligament damage in my knee. As a result, I have only
>30 - 40 degrees of active flexion with my left leg. Now my knee is
>beginning to cause a lot of pain. Recently, I was hospitalized for 4
>days because of infection/cellulites in the residual limb.
>
>I'm afraid of where this is going. I think sooner or later I will
>become an AK. Right now, my quality of life is low. The limited
>range of motion and pain in my knee prevent me from enjoying outdoor
>activities and many other things I like to do.
>
>This newsgroup is one of my few sources of information about amputees.
>I'm not in any kind of support group or anything like that. I was
>hoping some AKs could help me understand how mobile they are and what
>their life is like. How well do you get around? I'm sure many people
>enjoy outdoor activities - even water sports. Can you hike and get
>around "off the beaten path" so to speak? How about jogging or moving
>fast? Does it take a special knee?
>
>Thanks for any information you wish to share.
>
>Ken

From: postalpegleg on 22 Jun 2005 03:48
Hello Ken,

I am a LAKA since 3/2001
Started with a prosthesis ( was about $ 16 K)
Took quite a few spills because of it
Then upgraded to a C-leg ( rather expensive stuff), but well worth it
for me anyway.
No falls since !
I do whatever I want to do !! Since I was not the very active guy
before ( no skiing, no heavy duty sports) I don't feel like I am losing
out on anything anyway.
A few restrictions, a few problems here and there BUT I WAKE UP EVERY
MORNING !!!
Any day above the ground is a GOOD day !
Have fun


Postalpegleg

From: dave on 22 Jun 2005 09:43
Ken,

I pray that things go very well for you. I don't know if you have discussed
it with anyone, but a BK leg with a thigh corset may be worth looking into.
I wore one for a long time years ago, and they definately help with the knee
problems. A good practitioner may have some other ideas as well.

I run a national outdoor program for people with disabilities. We mainly
hunt and fish. There are many AKs in our program and many do just fine, if
that is where this all ends up. The C-Leg knee is a definate help for any
outdoorsy AK, for sure. Hang in there, I know that it will all be fine in
the longrun.

Best regards,

D Sullivan


From: fxstd on 22 Jun 2005 10:24
Hi Glenn,

Thanks for the info. It sounds like you are very mobile and get out
and do the things you want. I read your bio on your Web page. Very
impressive. You are an inspiration with all of the things you can do.
I am relieved somewhat to know that it is possible to achieve so much.
It all comes down to personal motivation and drive.

I really hope to get better use from my knee in the future. I'll be
seeing a new physical therapist in a couple weeks so hopefully that
will help.

Can you also climb hills/steep inclines with efficiency? Hiking
around in the Rocky Mountains has always been a lot of fun and very
challenging to me. I'm really hoping to get back up there some day
soon.

Ken


On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 22:52:19 -0400, Glenn Woodell
<letsrig@!!cox!!.net> wrote:

>Ken,
>
>I sincerely hope you get to keep your knee and get a lot of great use
>out of it. If circumstances are different as you imagine, life is
>definitely not over with. I am a very active AK of 22 years after a
>car accident. You can read my story at
>http://www.windvisions.com/me.html.
>
>You can do just fine with pretty basic gear. I have an energy storing
>foot but I can tell you that I'd do just fine without it. My knee is
>very simple and has the same hydraulic dampener that has been in use
>for over 30 years.
>
>I have snowboarded once. That was fun but it just wasn't me. Never
>cared for skiing in the days of ten toes either. I roller skate
>(quads) occasionally but I used to do it about twice a week. I bike
>regularly and windsurf with a passion. Not wind-stand but wind-surf. I
>go fast (38 mph is my record), jump and can do back loops.
>
>I walk everywhere with no problems as long as I get a good evening
>rest otherwise I start to get sore and/or lose weight. My leg goes on
>after my morning shower and comes off just before I hit the bed at
>night.
>
>If you do end up losing your knee, rest assured that you will be just
>fine.
>
>Glenn
>
>On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 17:42:25 -0600, fxstd <lalala(a)la.net> wrote:
>
>>I have been a left BK for about 9 months now. Because of my accident,
>>I had extensive ligament damage in my knee. As a result, I have only
>>30 - 40 degrees of active flexion with my left leg. Now my knee is
>>beginning to cause a lot of pain. Recently, I was hospitalized for 4
>>days because of infection/cellulites in the residual limb.
>>
>>I'm afraid of where this is going. I think sooner or later I will
>>become an AK. Right now, my quality of life is low. The limited
>>range of motion and pain in my knee prevent me from enjoying outdoor
>>activities and many other things I like to do.
>>
>>This newsgroup is one of my few sources of information about amputees.
>>I'm not in any kind of support group or anything like that. I was
>>hoping some AKs could help me understand how mobile they are and what
>>their life is like. How well do you get around? I'm sure many people
>>enjoy outdoor activities - even water sports. Can you hike and get
>>around "off the beaten path" so to speak? How about jogging or moving
>>fast? Does it take a special knee?
>>
>>Thanks for any information you wish to share.
>>
>>Ken

 |  Next  |  Last
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5
Prev: Hanger Prosthetics??
Next: Dove Hunt for Upper-Extremity Impaiments/ Amputees