Treadmill for TT amputee RESPONSES
Randy McFarland
Description
Collection
Title:
Treadmill for TT amputee RESPONSES
Creator:
Randy McFarland
Date:
10/3/2007
Text:
Original Question:
A 65 year old gentleman who wears bilateral TT prostheses is interested
in purchasing a treadmill for exercise. Thus far, I can think of a
couple of important features: Capability of being adjusted to a very low
setting for incline and speed.
What other features would make use of a treadmill the most safe and
convenient?
Randy McFarland, CPO
Fullerton, CA
RESPONSES:
I would think of long support bars; a very low height - or better - a
platform buildup around the treadmill at the same height; and good
traction.
Airbags! Lots of them!!
A dead man switch (auto shut-off if he loses balance and lets go of
what ever he is holding onto.)
Has he ever considered an elliptical machine instead? It would not only
provide a no-impact workout but also involve upper extremity as well.
Plus I would think it much more stable/safe than a treadmill.
Probably some form of parallel bars on both sides for the mis-steps that
are going to happen. That would help prevent the ripping of the conveyor
belt from the knee hitting hard.
I think all the new ones have a Kill Switch that will turn it
off if he falls, but it is a Must Have.
Handrails
I know you're aware of the low level of incline, but keep in mind
that many treadmills have a minimal incline of 1 1/2 degrees. This
might be enough to cause toe-scuffing, so I'd have him look for
something that is perfectly flat.
Many treadmills have a very narrow belt, and some have short belts.
Depending on his size, this could make a difference.
Wide width of treadmill belt.
Start from Zero mph in .1 mph increments
Kill switch.
Adequate safety rails
Simple large on/off buttons
Having been a personal trainer in my past life, I have quite a bit of
experience with exercise equipment; both home and professional.
First, as with all big purchases, he has to establish a budget for
the
treadmill. After he's done that, he'll know what models fit his budget.
I'd highly recommend two key features for any amputee using a
treadmill:
-shock absorbing tread table
-safety lanyard -Some of the nicer treadmills have a suspended tread
that will absorb a great deal of the shock. I'm sure I don't have to
explain to you why that's important to an amputee's comfort.
The safety lanyard attaches to the clothing of the user. The other
end of the lanyard is attached to a key card that must by inserted in
the
treadmill control panel to keep the unit powered on. As soon as the key
is
removed, the treadmill will quickly slow to a stop. So if he trips and
falls to the tread, the unit will shut down. Otherwise you have a giant
power sander.
Zero start speed and also longer handrails on the side for ease of
getting on and off the machine will make it more enjoyable for your
patient.
I had the privilege of being directly involved with a similar scenario.
I met the Patient at a tread mill outlet store so we were able to try
them. Here is what we found...
Slow to zero speed
zero to slight incline
stable side bars that extended a minimum of one foot posteriorly to
Patient.
I think all treadmills come with an emergency stop cord...it is to be
clipped onto the user and if they stumble or get too far back on the
tread, a pin pulls out and it stops. He should absolutely utilize this
feature every time. The only other issue I can think of is the tendency
for anyone walking on a treadmill to just push through fatigue &/or a
little discomfort because they only had a few more minutes on the
timer. Persons with amputation(s) and diabetes have to retrain their
thinking that if something doesn't feel right...stop and check it out,
now. If there's sensation issues, I always recommend swimming!
Excellent cardio, no excessive trauma to the joints and NO prosthetic
issues!
The most important feature of the treadmill is hand rails.
1. hand rails
2. A clip with string that the patient can attach to his
shirt so that the treadmill stops when the string gets
pulled. This seems to be a common feature in the
treadmills at the gym I use.
How about hand rails and a parachute.
Would recommend the following,
1. The ability to start and slow the treadmill to 0mph
2. Nice to have a safety dead man switch, or lanyard
that attaches to the persons wrist and stops the machine when this is
pulled off the machine (usually attached by velcro)
3. Very low speed increments (0.1 mph)
1.) Invest in one that has a good shock absorber built in.
2.) Join a local gym that has several different options and try out the
different styles. He should know after a week or two which style/
features work best for him.
3.) Try out the elliptical machines at the gym. Each brand is slightly
different, but some mimic walking/ running without the stress/pounding
on the joints that is associated with walking.
A 65 year old gentleman who wears bilateral TT prostheses is interested
in purchasing a treadmill for exercise. Thus far, I can think of a
couple of important features: Capability of being adjusted to a very low
setting for incline and speed.
What other features would make use of a treadmill the most safe and
convenient?
Randy McFarland, CPO
Fullerton, CA
RESPONSES:
I would think of long support bars; a very low height - or better - a
platform buildup around the treadmill at the same height; and good
traction.
Airbags! Lots of them!!
A dead man switch (auto shut-off if he loses balance and lets go of
what ever he is holding onto.)
Has he ever considered an elliptical machine instead? It would not only
provide a no-impact workout but also involve upper extremity as well.
Plus I would think it much more stable/safe than a treadmill.
Probably some form of parallel bars on both sides for the mis-steps that
are going to happen. That would help prevent the ripping of the conveyor
belt from the knee hitting hard.
I think all the new ones have a Kill Switch that will turn it
off if he falls, but it is a Must Have.
Handrails
I know you're aware of the low level of incline, but keep in mind
that many treadmills have a minimal incline of 1 1/2 degrees. This
might be enough to cause toe-scuffing, so I'd have him look for
something that is perfectly flat.
Many treadmills have a very narrow belt, and some have short belts.
Depending on his size, this could make a difference.
Wide width of treadmill belt.
Start from Zero mph in .1 mph increments
Kill switch.
Adequate safety rails
Simple large on/off buttons
Having been a personal trainer in my past life, I have quite a bit of
experience with exercise equipment; both home and professional.
First, as with all big purchases, he has to establish a budget for
the
treadmill. After he's done that, he'll know what models fit his budget.
I'd highly recommend two key features for any amputee using a
treadmill:
-shock absorbing tread table
-safety lanyard -Some of the nicer treadmills have a suspended tread
that will absorb a great deal of the shock. I'm sure I don't have to
explain to you why that's important to an amputee's comfort.
The safety lanyard attaches to the clothing of the user. The other
end of the lanyard is attached to a key card that must by inserted in
the
treadmill control panel to keep the unit powered on. As soon as the key
is
removed, the treadmill will quickly slow to a stop. So if he trips and
falls to the tread, the unit will shut down. Otherwise you have a giant
power sander.
Zero start speed and also longer handrails on the side for ease of
getting on and off the machine will make it more enjoyable for your
patient.
I had the privilege of being directly involved with a similar scenario.
I met the Patient at a tread mill outlet store so we were able to try
them. Here is what we found...
Slow to zero speed
zero to slight incline
stable side bars that extended a minimum of one foot posteriorly to
Patient.
I think all treadmills come with an emergency stop cord...it is to be
clipped onto the user and if they stumble or get too far back on the
tread, a pin pulls out and it stops. He should absolutely utilize this
feature every time. The only other issue I can think of is the tendency
for anyone walking on a treadmill to just push through fatigue &/or a
little discomfort because they only had a few more minutes on the
timer. Persons with amputation(s) and diabetes have to retrain their
thinking that if something doesn't feel right...stop and check it out,
now. If there's sensation issues, I always recommend swimming!
Excellent cardio, no excessive trauma to the joints and NO prosthetic
issues!
The most important feature of the treadmill is hand rails.
1. hand rails
2. A clip with string that the patient can attach to his
shirt so that the treadmill stops when the string gets
pulled. This seems to be a common feature in the
treadmills at the gym I use.
How about hand rails and a parachute.
Would recommend the following,
1. The ability to start and slow the treadmill to 0mph
2. Nice to have a safety dead man switch, or lanyard
that attaches to the persons wrist and stops the machine when this is
pulled off the machine (usually attached by velcro)
3. Very low speed increments (0.1 mph)
1.) Invest in one that has a good shock absorber built in.
2.) Join a local gym that has several different options and try out the
different styles. He should know after a week or two which style/
features work best for him.
3.) Try out the elliptical machines at the gym. Each brand is slightly
different, but some mimic walking/ running without the stress/pounding
on the joints that is associated with walking.
Citation
Randy McFarland, “Treadmill for TT amputee RESPONSES,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/228699.
