Question for aka's

[R. Goldstein]

Im not sure how the 3r60 knee works, but i know with my Mauch SNS knee i can adjust the flexion/extension settings to allow the foot to swing through faster.  Also, with walking speed, a lot of it is just kicking out with the limb harder and faster.  BUT this takes time to get more comfortable with walking to do it faster, when you try to swing faster sometimes if the balance isnt quite there the foot can drag coming through and cause you to fall.  Just be patient really, and talk to your CP too about adjusting some settings if you are concerned.

Ryan Goldstein
http://www.m3racer.com
Be Strong, and Persevere
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim Street 
  To: Amputee Information Network 
  Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 2:09 AM
  Subject: Question for aka's


  I've been trundling around on my new leg for about six weeks and I've fallen seriously five times and crumpled together about three times.  Once I was trying to impress my PT on how well I was walking and I fell into a flower pot in my back yard and drew a moderate amount of blood out of the back of my head and another time I was trying to impress the surgeon and just barely avoided cracking my forehead into the examination table.  Luckily I haven't been seriously hurt by any of these falls but my confidence has a huge dent right in the middle, the size of a moon crater.
  To add to my troubles, I'm really frustrated that I can't walk any faster.  I know it sounds like I should slow down and not be worried about being so slow but I can't stand having people wait for me while I swing along behind them like a wounded baboon.  
  Sorry for the silly imagery but it seems to fit.
  I guess my question is, what can I do to walk faster and keep the knee from collapsing?  I don't have anything but a dead foot and I have a 3B60 Otto Bok knee.  My stump is almost to the knee.  I would like to get a C-leg and my surgeon has written an order for one.  He smiled encouragingly and said he has already got one (he's from Kaiser) for one of his patients.  That doesn't sound too encouraging.  (Only ONE patient?)  The price was quoted to me as $37,000 for the C-leg.  (My Kaiser plan pays 80% if approved.)  That's about the price for a Lexis SRV.  Does anyone have any experience with a C-leg or with feet or knees that allow faster walking?

  Thanks,

  Jim Street
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