My very rough patch (robo-leg coming!)

[Dr Mordrid]

Same as before - either my (tiny) Ruger LCP (.380) or LC9 (9mm) backup pistols in an ankle holster and one of the .40 SIG's (P239 or P250sc) in a SuperTuck waistband (informal) or shoulder (suit) holster.

[Dr Mordrid]

NOT the definitive leg, just the training wheel. It still needs several fit and alignment adjustments later this week, but it's good enough for getting used to a prosthetic. Later this will be my knock-around leg for working on the car etc.

The definitive device will have a whole other level of tech with a fully functional multi-axis ankle and high level "sports foot" good for higher loads and even running.

Looking pretty normal & taking regular shoes (size 15 - 3E.) The flesh-surfaced foot "skin" even has toes with nails and pores. The foot uses carbon fiber "springs" that allow the heel and foot to store and release energy like a real foot.



Note the carbon fiber post - it's ~1.25" in diameter with 1/4" thick walls & is rated for almost 800 lbs. Takes the prosthetics fitter 20 min to cut the SOB for length with a hacksaw (!) The fittings are titanium alloy, chrome-moly & stainless steel.

[Dr Mordrid]

The final socket is slimmer, smoother and has a foot to knee cosmetic lower leg cover.



The basic heavy duty foot.

[Elie]

What? you couldn't afford bionic legs? LOL

Very interesting Doc!! hope it all works out and back walking about in no time.

[Dr Mordrid]

Bionic isn't needed for below knee amputations Elie, but a multi-axis ankle that can move to comply to irregular surfaces and a foot that can store/return energy is. The ankle comes after this training wheel, but I already have the energy store/return from the toes and heel by way of some very fancy (and strong) carbon-fiber springs.

Even though I have a slight pull in my left quad I can now stand right up. The problem is sizing the socket as my residual limb shrinks (reduced swelling, weight loss, reduced edema etc.), and it's doing that so fast (mainly due to my workouts being more than the sve. patient does. They're working on socket #3 right now, and it's sized right the knee wobbles around and is unstable. This also increases fatique exponentially - not good.

Once we have a snug fit that lasts more than a week or two we can get some serious motoring around done.

[Dr Mordrid]

Today I got mod #3 of my temporary prosthesis and it workes well enough that I can walk the length of the rehab centers hallway & back, but with a walker for safety and slowly because of the learning curve. My residual limb has now shrunk so much that a new mold & socket will be made next week, which should improve things considerably.

Range of motion = full.

On the "handicap potential scale" which runs K-0 (bedridden) to K-4 (handicapper athlete) I am now rated to end up as a K-3; normal activity once fully rehabbed and in the final prosthesis..

[UtwigMU]

Looks very cool.

How does it fasten to the end of the limb?

[Dr Mordrid]

A biocompatable silicone stocking impregnated with vitamin A/D/E microcapsules and 9mm thick is the bottom layer. This inserts into the coated carbon fiber socket and forms a vacuum attachment. An elastomer stocking pulls over the outside & over my lower thigh to seal the vacuum. Pretty solid. At the bottom of the socket is a molded in titanium alloy & chrome-moly attachment for the 1.25" carbon fiber pylon, which attaches to the carbon fiber, titanium alloy & chrome-moly foot.

The final leg they're looking at has a slightly different system which uses an electromechanical vacuum pump in the foot; the more active you are the more it pumps up to a programmable level, and a smaller seal. Alternate versions use a rechargeable electric pump good for 2-3 days straight.

Down the road researchers are looking at implantable attachment interfaces that attach directly to the residusl bone and the skin can grow into. It's already being tried.

[Dr Mordrid]

The day room on our rehab area.

There are also dining rooms, a media room with an HD screen for events like sports, a "bar" for ice cream & other socials etc. and it has a bunch of computer workstations with private storage space. The whole center had B/G/N WiFi for portable devices.

[Dr Mordrid]

Cafe' / media room - and there are several other places to chill, entertain guests etc.

Home away from home

[KRSESQ]

Posh digs!

[UtwigMU]

Not bad!

[Dr Mordrid]

Yup - nice digs and good food on top of it. Lunch today was chicken casodillas with tortilla soup and dinner was a very tender roast beef, roasted red potatoes and butternut squash and a cherry cobbler for dessert.

I am going into my 3rd temporaryvsocket today because the residual limb is shrinking, swelling going down, etc., and it may take 1-2 more before I get my first "definitive" leg - which will last a lot longer size wise.

Progress is constant and rapid - even with this now ill fitting prosthesis (due to limb shrinkage) I was able to walk the length of the facility and back using a walker - well over 100 meters and several times for a total of over 1/4 mile - without stopping and at a good clip. I get a new, smaller, training prosthesis this weekend.

The definitive leg / foot / ankle is much more advanced. Instead of being partly held on by a wide elastomer band at the top of the socket gripping my thigh, it has s built-in vacuum pump that provides a much stronger suction fit. It also has built-in shock absorbers and other features. It'll also have a multi-axis flexible ankle and a much more advanced foot that stores & returns power in each stride.

There are 5 levels of classification for an amputees recovery potential; K0 (bed ridden) to K4 (athlete), and I am now classified K3 (normal activity.) Prosthetist thinks in 5-6 weeks I'll be walking so well no one will know the difference. May very well end up with several K4 parts in the prosthesis.

May go home next weekend!

[Dr Mordrid]

FINALLY - GOING HOME TODAY!!!!

Equipment delivery this afternoon, visiting nurses, prosthetist & therapists early next week. Dr. visits soon after.

Still have a lot to do though; need another socket to be fit before the definitive one, and I need to get the multi-axis ankle & foot so I can better traverse uneven surfaces & ground and start to get used to driving.

[VJ]

Great news!
Curious: can you (legally) drive a normal car?