Replies to Bike Riding with TF Prosthesis

Replies to Bike Riding with TF Prosthesis

8/7/1998

Dear List members:

Thank you for all the replies to my question. I have passed on the
information to the interested party. Our goal here is to find something
simple that will help out in this situation. Designing a new prosthesis
with silicone suction suspension may happen, though we will likely attempt
some trim line mods and/or seat mods prior to committing to a new device.

I have included the e-mail information of those that replied in case people
wish to contact them individually. If this is too much information perhaps
let me know and I can cut down on the information in the future.

Thanks again,

Craig

____________________________________________

The original question:

What do people do in order to maximize comfort and suspension security when
riding a bicycle at more than a casual pace?

 One of our clients (trans femoral-prox. 2/3 of femur remaining-very good
tone) would like to return to cycling for cardio workout and is having
problems with suspension whenever he rides. He wears an ischial containment
socket, suction suspension with thermoflex insert and laminated frame.

Thank you,

Craig Smith B.Sc., C.P.(c)

__________________________________________________

The Replies:


Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 17:13:17 -0500 (CDT)
From: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Re: Bike Riding with Trans Femoral Prosthesis
To: <Email Address Redacted>
X-VMS-To: IN% <Email Address Redacted>

Dear Craig:

Have you heard of a re-bike? I am an amputee and posted into on this
bike last year and if interested will send you that post...

Wayne Renardson


From: < <Email Address Redacted> >
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 18:45:48 EDT
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Re: Bike Riding with Trans Femoral Prosthesis

Go for a pin suspension system!
-Mark Benveniste


Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 19:12:59 -0400
From: Bella J May < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Re: Bike Riding with Trans Femoral Prosthesis
Content-Disposition: inline

During the Paralympics in Atlanta '96, at the bike venue, all transfemoral
amputees rode without a prosthesis. When asked about it, several told me
that the prosthesis actually got in the way and that they could not find
comfortable socket or suspension for race riding. They rode on the
velodrome and cross country and generated considerable speed using the
remaining extremity. B.J. May, PT, Medical College of Georgia


From: MRSmith < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: < <Email Address Redacted> >
Subject: Re: Bike Riding with Trans Femoral Prosthesis
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 20:14:27 -0400
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4

Dear Craig

I wonder if a TES belt would be any added suspension in this case.

Mike


From: < <Email Address Redacted> >
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 21:37:09 EDT
To: <Email Address Redacted> , <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Re: Bike Riding with Trans Femoral Prosthesis

You might try designing a biking leg using a silicone suction suspension,
e.g., ICEROSS or equal and lowering the medial support area somewhat so it
doesn't interfere with the bike seat when peddling...


Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 22:02:22 -0400
Subject: Re: Bike Riding with Trans Femoral Prosthesis
References: < <Email Address Redacted> >
X-Juno-Line-Breaks: 0-19,26-34
From: <Email Address Redacted>

Would it help to forego ischial containment and a high medial trim line
for this purpose? How about use of, say, an Alpha locking liner with a
simple, non-ischial weight bearing socket. That way there is no
interaction between socket and seat. With 2/3rds of femur remaining,
perhaps enough remains for good suspension and stability of the femur in
the socket. The Alpha would allow soft tissue migration during peddling
without loss of suspension

Just a thought.

Chris (CJ) Johnson, Engineering Director
College Park Industries, Inc. ( <URL Redacted>)
Home Office (616) 664-4173
at CPI (810) 294-7950
<Email Address Redacted>


Errors-To: < <Email Address Redacted> >
From: Charles Martin < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: < <Email Address Redacted> >
Subject: Re: Bike Riding with Trans Femoral Prosthesis
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 22:52:51 -0400
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.71.1712.3

Craig,

ICEROSS sleeve suspension should solve all of your suspension problems.
It's about the only suspension we currently use for A/K's.

C. Martin, CPO


From: < <Email Address Redacted> >
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 23:37:37 EDT
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Bike riding trans-femoral amputee

One method I have heard described (but never actually dealt with) is to cut
approx 1/3 of the seat away to allow clearance for the prosthetic socket.

The problem is that a properly fitting bicycle puts the body weight on the
ischial tubersity, a properly fitting ischial containment socket contains the
ischiam. Thus,, if he is a serious cyclist (over 100 miles per week) a
special prosthesis may be indicated. If he is casual, (a jaunt arround the
neighborhood in the evening) cutting away the seat may be a better (and more
cost effective) answer.]

Hope that is helpful!!

R. Scott Hosie CP


Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 14:58:08 -0700
X-Sender: <Email Address Redacted>
To: <Email Address Redacted>
From: <Email Address Redacted> (Tony van der Waarde)
Subject: Re: Bike Riding with Trans Femoral Prosthesis

Hi Craig,

The problem you stated is a familiar one to me and by letting the amputee
try different styles of seats, they usually resolve the problem w/o
prosthetic mods. I have one woman, age 40, who does cross-country bike
races, usually w/o her prosthesis, though she rides recreationally while
wearing the prosthesis.
However there many versions of Ischeal Containment, and I cannot picture how
you do yours. Generally.
I'm using the original CAT-CAM style for most applications but am not afraid
to vary it for specific reasons like you stated for your client. An insert
with a pin suspension is an option.
Like anything else, your client has to be prepared to put a bit of effort
into making the fit work for him. We canot always be the one to solve each
and every challenge that arrises.

I do have some video footage of these fittings if that interests you.

Tony van der Waarde CP(c)
AWARD Prosthetics
<Email Address Redacted>
www.amputee-online.com/award


X-Sender: <Email Address Redacted>
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 07:53:42
To: <Email Address Redacted>
From: Algonquin Orthopaedics < <Email Address Redacted> >
Subject: bike riding and sockets

Hi Craig

I had an IT bearing KAFO patient in the same situation, (had knee
replacement and Dr wanted M/L support during non weightbearing activities
like cycling) and the problem was solved quite easily. The seat on the bike
was turned around soas to allow support of weight but not pressure on the
prox brim. There are seats in production which don't have the pommel which
extends between the legs.

I don't know if you would have thought of this idea and if you have, sorry
for repeating it, but I was amazed how nicely it worked. And I didn't
really have to alter an otherwize perfectly functioning device.

Good luck!

Cameron Renwick, C.O.(c)
Algonquin Orthopaedics
228 Main St. W.
Huntsville, Ont., Canada
P1H 1Y1
705.787.0797(8)
705.787.0799 (fax)
<Email Address Redacted>


From: < <Email Address Redacted> >
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 23:56:42 EDT
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Re: Bike Riding with Trans Femoral Prosthesis

Have your patient contact Greg Mannino at <Email Address Redacted>
                                  Alan Finnieston,CPO


Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 11:15:10 -0800
To: <Email Address Redacted>
From: Ian Gregson < <Email Address Redacted> >
Subject: Re: Bike Riding with Trans Femoral Prosthesis

Craig:

Please see <URL Redacted> for details
on bike riding for AK's.

Ian Gregson ( <Email Address Redacted> )
Amputee WEB Site <> AMPUTATION Online Magazine
<URL Redacted>
Moderator Amputee & D-Sport Listservs


End of Replies.