In very recent memory, there was a time in which it was a medical and engineering achievement to have a prosthetic lower-limb merely able to provide an amputee with the ability to have basic ambulatory movement like being able to get around the house or take a short walk outside. Yet, as brilliant as this was, it simply was not good enough as amputation would often remain a barrier to leading the active life that many desired. Indeed before recent innovations, those with lower-limb amputations had to plan their days and lives around their limited ability to walk. For instances, places with stairs or uneven sidewalks would have presented a most daunting and intimidating obstacle for amputees, which meant that often many would have opted to stay at home and miss out on the fun and excitement outside their front door. Thankfully, as a result of some serious innovations to lower-limb prosthetics amputees need not sit on the sidelines of life any longer – they can jump head first into the active, happy and healthy life they deserve.
Innovations in Prosthetic Feet and Blades
Those with below-knee amputations can now benefit from prosthetics that will put the world back at their feet once again. Previous prosthetic feet were marred by an unnatural or limited range of ankle motion, which often resulted in strain on knees, hips and back, or – worse yet – nasty trips and falls. The latest technology – seen in prosthetic feet like the Ossur Proprio Foot with Evo – offers a motor-powered ankle that increases ground clearance and allows the user to walk across all kinds of terrain in a natural and safe fashion. Such an innovation allows lower-limb amputees to walk virtually anywhere again: to the shops, long country walks or even exploring cities like New York, Paris or London on foot!
Walking is brilliant, but how about running? Thanks to the emergence of the Paralympics as a bona fide sporting event, we have all seen the so-called ‘blade runners’ – the world class track and field athletes that defy their disability to achieve feats about which able-bodied persons might only dream. But it is not only paralympians who can access this life-altering blade technology – it is available to all amputees who either want to resume their old sporting lives or to explore new ways to be active. Technologies like Blatchford’s Elite Blade – a lightweight, e-carbon foot with flexible, independent springs that reduce shock transmission – let users participate in high impact sports from serious running to football, basketball and more. These amazing innovations to prosthetic feet and blades mean that those with below-knee amputations can live their lives to the fullest and most active extent, unimpeded by their disability.
Innovations in Prosthetic Legs
One of the most exciting innovations in engineering – not to mention prosthetics – in recent years has been the multi-award winning Blatchford Linx. This prosthetic leg for above-knee amputees is practically out of a science fiction movie as it is the first one ever that is integrated with robotic control of both the knee and foot that communicate with each other to move just like a human leg. It uses a network of sensors that act like human nerves to continuously collect data about the way in which the user walks, their activity and the terrain on which they are moving. This information is processed by Linx’s central computer to adapt its responses so its wearer can always walk confidently, knowing that they will always be at the right speed and enjoy the right support at all times on practically any terrain and on slopes and steps. Beyond walking and navigating one’s world happily and uninhibited, users can participate in a range of sporting activities, notably cycling. Linx has even innovated the mere act of standing still, which has long been a difficult and painful task for amputees, by sensing when it has come to a standstill and automatically locking so its wearer can relax in a normal standing position. Lastly, unlike previous cutting-edge prosthetic legs, there is no need to endure the lengthy process of recalibrating the ankle and knee joints again and again; Linx uses a smart algorithm to calibrate the limb automatically.
There been major innovations in lower-limb prosthetics in recent years and we expect technologies to become even more exciting, useful and capable of catalyzing amputees to a happy, healthy and active life filled with doing the things they love most. If you would like to speak about the latest developments in lower-limb prosthetics, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the team at the Mount Sinai Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at (212) 241-6321.
No comments:
Post a Comment