AK downhill skiing

Schafer, Kristin

Description

Title:

AK downhill skiing

Creator:

Schafer, Kristin

Date:

4/4/2016

Text:

Hello Listers.
An early-40's female patient of mine has approached me looking for information on beginning downhill skiing. She has a long, fleshy transfemoral residuum. She wears an Ossur seal-in liner suction socket, C-leg and Triton foot. She says she has skied in the past (about 8 years ago, long before her amputation), and that she was good at it. She walks with no gait aids for most distances and uses a cane for longer distances. She has gone hiking, snow shoeing and attends the gym regularly.

I have made only two transtibial ski prostheses in my career, but never a transfemoral ski limb. What considerations should I be aware of? What components do people recommend? Is this even a good idea, given the risk of falling and further injury? I see on the Canadian Para-Alpine site, some people choose to not wear the prosthesis at all. Is this for those that want speed? Do any skiers where AK ski limbs?

Is there anyone you are aware of who participates in the sport recreationally who would be available to talk with both my patient and myself?

Thanks to all.

Kristin

Kristin Schafer, B.Sc. (Kin.), C.P. (c)
Rehabilitation Engineering
Health Sciences North- Horizon Sante-Nord
41 Ramsey Lake Rd.
Sudbury, ON
P3E 5J1
(705) 523-7100 x3176
Health Sciences North's vision is to be globally recognized for patient-centred innovation.

Citation

Schafer, Kristin, “AK downhill skiing,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/242106.