Responses to:Patient wants to snow ski

Responses to:Patient wants to snow ski

Jake Wood, CP

To My Colleagues:
 
My original question:
 
I have a new transtibial patient who is interested in snow skiing again.
Would anyone please share their good results. I would prefer to add foot
components to an existing socket so we can save on expense.
 
Thanks everyone for responding to my question. Additionally thank you Paul
for this valuable source of information. The following responses should be
in accordance with our list server rules.
 ________________________________________________________
 
Freedom Innovations makes a specialized Ski Foot named the Slalom. The
product clips directly into the skis, eliminating the need for a ski
boot. Users find the product to be much easier to use. You can learn
more about it here:
Best regards,
Meghan Eilbeck

_________________________________________________________________________
 
Hi Jake, this is Eddy Fuentes from Guatemala, I have a good friend at
Allard Orthopaedics (they sale THE SWASH BRACE) his name is JIM LAGERSTROM he is
 a sales rep. for Allard and also an amputee himself. His is a medallist on
 skiing and at one time he gave me a CD with information regarding this
type of prostheses. Contact him at Allard I am sure he will be if great
assistance for you.
Eddy Leopoldo Fuentes, C.P.O.
________________________________________________________________
 
Forget doing anything with old components. Start fresh. Use an Otto Bock
Greisinger foot with a socket that is set in flexion for skiing. A skier is
flexed at the hips, knees and the ankles when going down hill. I would use
joints and a thigh cuff for control when turning. There is too much torque
on the limb if you don't add the joints. The thigh section will look more
like the upper half of a knee brace with an anterior shell and soft
material wrapped around the back of the thigh. I tried going the route you
mentioned but if the patient wants to be successful at skiing you need to create
a prosthesis for skiing.
I hope this is helpful to you and your patient.
Bryan Finley CP

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One of the main aspects is socket flexion. Excessive flexion for walking
makes a great way to snow ski, as the typical snow boot is in 22 degrees
(approx) of flexion. Another aspect is suspension, as one rides the chair
lift with the weight of the ski pulling down. Townsend makes a brace that
can be made over a prosthesis...which would work well as one bends his or her
knee while sitting.
Donnie

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I'd also consider adding a thigh cuff and knee joints. Also, tell him
about skibiking. I own a ski bike and have had more fun that skiing for the
past few years and I've been skiing for 40 years. Ski bikes don't put any
stress on the limb. Look at _www.ski-bike.org_ ( <URL Redacted>)
Karl

_______________________________________________________
 
 
Mr. Wood,
 
I'm sure you've had multiple responses by now but thought I would provide
some input.
 
I've found that the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) in
Colorado are great helping new amputees wishing to use their prosthetic when
skiing. From what I've seen there is no special prosthetic components needed.
Only after one learns to ski would the skier possibly wish to have a
special prosthetic built and usually only if they would spend many, many hours
on the slopes. I've never met any BK amputee that had a special ski
prosthesis, everyone has used their everyday prosthesis.
 
There are many other adaptive ski associations in the US and abroad. Each
would have their own level of expertise in the adoptions. I do know that the
 NSCD trains their instructors well and requires certification.
 
The best advice I could give a new amputee that would like to explore any
physical activity, including skiing, would be to get in contact with someone
who takes part in the activity and ask questions. This could be done by
them contacting the Amputee Coalition of America at 1-888-AMP-KNOW and ask
for a peer visit with a BK skier. They could also call the NSCD during Ski
season and talk to their instructors.
 
Hope this helps
 
Thanks
 
Ralph Fowler
I organized a ski trip group Amputees Celebrating the Excitement of Skiing
(ACES) for 8 years. That was a few years past.

 
_______________________________________________
 
Sincerely, Thanks to everyone
Jake Wood C.P. FAAOP


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