Responses: MPK and Running

Responses: MPK and Running

Dennis Farrell, CP

2/6/2012

Dear List, Thank you to all who replied. I have since discussed all of
the options with the patient, and we have agreed that for now we will
concentrate on the combination of prosthetic components best suited to walking,
and come back to the possibility of providing a separate prosthesis for
running.
 
Dennis Farrell CP
Milwaukee, WI USA
 
Original post:
 
Dear List,
>
> I have an upcoming appointment with a patient who has had a recent TF
> amputation. He has an RX for a preparatory prosthesis to include a
> microprocessor knee.
>
> This young man has expressed a personal goal of returning to running
> (previous marathoner).
>
> I would appreciate any experiences with the use of MPKs in running
(good
> and/or bad), as well as any comments regarding specific MPK units you
have
> used with patients who run.
----------------------------
 
Responses:
 
You may want to contact Matt Perkins of coyote design who is an AK and
world champion triathlete ( he won five straight). He has an interesting view
on running with knees.
Brent

-------------------------------
The military version of the Genium is the only one I've worked with that
is specifically engineered to allow running. Like everything we do it's
more the operator's desire and capabilities than the device that determines
the outcome.
David

-------------------------------
I'm not sure if you know Greg Mannino but he actually teaches people how to
 run on our Orion mpk. If you need more information or would like to talk
to Greg please let me know. For any mpk it is mainly frowned upon but a
lot depends on what type of runner.
Matt
 
----------------------------------
He would need a second prosthesis without the microprocessor knee. He
needs to worry about just walking for now.

----------------------------------
 
Clegs and rheo's are ok with the rheo beating out the cleg. Plié tends to
be more durable and handles higher activities better. I have a practice wh
ere I see young active folks with limb loss due to trauma or cancer, very
little geriatrics.
Chris
 
-----------------------------------
We typically provide a separate running leg (non-microprocessor) with total
 knee or 3r95 for TF running. Although possible, I would hesitate to use a
 mp knee since foot selection will be limited and energy return would be
less. For marathon running, a lightweight setup will be necessary. The
3wr95 incorporates a lock and may be beneficial during times of fatigue in
order to mix up running technique (circumduction)...
Hope this helps!
Zach
 
------------------------------------
First, you are not supposed to put a mpk on a prep. Second, These knees are
 not indicated for running. Let him try various knees and feet, than pick
what he prefers. Most distance runners like a hydraulic swing phase control
only knee and a stiff carbon leaf spring type foot that provides energy
return. However he may choose a mpk for every day walking.
Jim
 
--------------------------------------

Hope you are doing well. The Rheo Knee is not intended for use during
repetitive high impact activities, so it would not be appropriate for the
patient's running activities.
The Rheo does have the capability to handle that fast of a cadence,
however.
My recommendation would be to use a Flex-Run under either a straight pylon
or Total Knee.
Please feel free to give me a call if you have further questions.
Kurt
 
--------------------------------------
I would almost always lose the knee for AK running. I would especially lose
the MPK. They are just more weight and headache. I do more triathlon than
just running, but for me, losing the knee has made all the difference.
Matt
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