college park trustep
Esther L.
esther-l at mailsnare.net
Tue Mar 16 19:27:42 PST 2004
I don't know anything about what healthcare the VA provides or pays for.
But I would go to a physical therapist before going to a gym, for
strengthening to help you walk. If you can find a PT with training in
biomechanics or gait analysis, that might really help you. Be aware that
gait training and gait analysis are separate things.
I don't have a College Park Trustep. I currently walk on a SpringLite -
I think it's the Advantage DP (not the newer Advantage DP2). In the
past, I have used a Carbon Copy II, Seattle foot, and one of the
Flex-foot models (I think the Vari-Flex). And I have a number of years
of experience with SACH feet.
It can be challenging to find a good Physical Therapist. I am puzzled
as to why a PT is adjusting your prosthesis, rather than a Prosthetist.
You need to have 1 of each while learning to walk.
I don't know where you live, but I have gone to a physical therapist who
was 20 miles away, and to a prosthetist who was 80 miles away in the
past. And I've been to one prosthetist who _is_ an amputee who was just
not able to align a leg properly for me (2 BK limbs).
Esther
JACOB CALLAWAY wrote:
>> EstHer L.
>> Good morning, I was off my feet for about 4 mos. I had a PT that was
very
>> good that had me doing lifts and stretches but no weights he did
have me
>> use a large rubber band for resistance! I was then transferred to
another PT
>> that was not good. I worked with weights
>> on all the other parts of my body, but he would not let me do
anything with
>> my stump leg for fear it would split open. I was in a V.A.
>> Hospital and thought I had no choice but to do as I was told. I
finally got
>> fed up and demanded to be sent back to the PT that was helping me.
Then I
>> left the hospital and had to go to a private (civilian clinic) the
PT is
>> not an amputee and really is not very good. He really just adjusts
the leg I
>> have since found out that he has never worked with anyone having a
College
>> Park TruStep. I have had to learn on my own thru trial and error. I
really
>> just use the gait that is comfortable. My foot has Dynamic response,
flex
>> foot,multiaxial Rotation. The toe is split and has independent flex of
>> about 1/2 inch. You did not say if you wore the same foot or not!
>> It does feel heavy, to the point that I can't imagine playing Tennis or
>> jogging . I might try playing golf again soon. I really can't walk long
>> distance however. I have only been wearing the leg for 4.5 months so
that
>> may come later. Guess I need to find a gym with someone
>> knowledgeable enough to help me strengthen my muscles in the leg.
>> Thanks Jake
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Esther L." <esther-l at alumni.virginia.edu>
>> To: "Amputee Information Network" <amp-l at u.washington.edu>
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 8:05 AM
>> Subject: Re: college park trustep
>>
>>
>>
>
>>>>Jake -
>>>>Depending how long you were off your feet, it takes time to rebuild
>>>>strength in the legs.
>>>>When I was a new amputee many years ago, the PT had me doing some
>>>>exercises with
>>>>weights to make the big muscle groups regain strength. My first 2
>>>>prostheses did feel very heavy
>>>>at first. It also takes time for your body to learn to tell where the
>>>>foot is in space. I did walk with
>>>>the aid of crutches for a while at first. I kept one crutch for longer
>>>>than I needed it because
>>>>I was afraid of falling.
>>>>
>>>>I was a child who became an amputee after a traffic accident. My
>>>>memories of PT are
>
>>>from a child's perspective. It was BORING! The mean therapist had me
>
>>>>repeatedly do
>>>>the same things over and over and over. Now I know that she was
>>>>training my muscles
>>>>and reflexes to balance, and to tell where my foot was in space -
but at
>>>>the time I was a
>>>>whiny brat! Repeating the same motions over and over so that the
>>>>muscles and reflexes
>>>>learn them is necessary - I think that's an element of how serious
>>>>athletes train for their
>>>>sports these days. I don't know how long I went to PT - it seemed
like 8
>>>>or 9 months,
>>>>but my perspective was skewed.
>>>>
>>>>On the first energy-storing foot that I tried, I did not need to learn
>>>>anything. However, when
>>>>I tried a Flex-foot (stores more energy), my quadriceps muscles had to
>>>>suddenly get much
>>>>stronger, to control the forward push. If the muscles did not slow
down
>>>>the push, it felt like
>>>>my knee rocketed forward and I was going to fall. I had to walk less
>>>>and slowly build up
>>>>the endurance in the quads muscles for walking.
>>>>
>>>>I have never been good at tennis. I think I was born without hand-eye
>>>>coordination for sports
>>>>involving a ball. I am impressed whenever I watch people who can tell
>>>>where that ball is going
>>>>to be, and catch or hit it!
>>>>
>>>>Esther Lumsdon, Left B/K
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>JACOB CALLAWAY wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>>>>>Betsy,
>>>>>>Finally, a winner, I have the TruStep for only 4+months and really
>>>>>>still a novice at this ! It seems to get better a little every day,
>>>>>>but playing tennis? I have played tennis before much! I can't see
>>>>>>myself doing it now however, the leg seems to heavy I'm LBK god I
hope
>>>>>>I get like you! How long did it take you to just learn to walk with
>>>>>>out looking at the ground to see if you were going to step on
>>>>>>something that would cause you to do the big tumble? I am trying to
>>>>>>walk as much as I can everyday with out any aid of crutches, cane
ect.
>>>>>>The people at the V.A. Hospital call me G.I. Joe now as I just keep
>>>>>>pushing, but this cripple stuff ain't for me! I want to play tennis
>>>>>>too, know what I mean? I am learning (I think ) how to push off the
>>>>>>toes more . Am I right, do you have to do that? It just seem Natural
>>>>>>to use it that way??? Got lots of questions but enough for now!
>>>>>>Thanks Jake,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> *From:* Betsy Manheimer <mailto:bg1os at earthlink.net>
>>>>>> *To:* Amputee Information Network <mailto:amp-l at u.washington.edu>
>>>>>> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 24, 2004 9:35 PM
>>>>>> *Subject:* Re: college park trustep
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Jake:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have worn the TruStep since 1997. Just got a new one, as
>>>>>> a matter of fact.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I am an avid tennis player and have found it is the best foot
I've
>>>>>> tried, and I've tried many, for my sport. If I were a serious
>>>>>> runner I might choose a different foot, but the TruStep gives me
>>>>>> great lateral stability and not too much "pushiness" (LOL...not
>>>>>> exactly a technical term) so I can stop faster and maintain my
>>>>>> balance better than on a foot that might be more aggressively
>>>>>> responsive, and that's what I need on the tennis court. While I
>>>>>> might have to work a little bit harder than someone who gets a
>>>>>> push on every stride, I have no problem with distance walking,
>>>>>> walking on uneven terrain like golf courses and hiking trails, or
>>>>>> any other activity I've chosen to pursue.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you have any questions I might be able to answer, feel free to
>
>>
>> ask.
>>
>
>>>>>> Betsy Manheimer
>>>>>> RBK
>>>>>> 4/96
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>
>>>>>> *From:* JACOB CALLAWAY <mailto:jacob.callawy at verizon.net>
>>>>>> *To:* Amputee Information Network
>
>>
>> <mailto:amp-l at u.washington.edu>
>>
>
>>>>>> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 24, 2004 6:44 PM
>>>>>> *Subject:* college park trustep
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Guys,
>>>>>> Asking once again, anyone out there with a College Park
>>>>>> TruStep prosthetic or am I the only one? Know anyone that has
>
>>
>> one?
>>
>
>>>>>> Thanks, Jake
>>>>>>
>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>>---
>>>>Esther L. esther-l at alumni.virginia.edu,
>>>>Speaking only for myself
--
-- Esther L., esther_l at alumni.virginia.edu
Speaking only for myself
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