thirteen said:
Alex, thank you very much for sharing. it sheds light on what a lot people don't understand.
on a personal level, i find it sad to see that not much seems to have changed regarding the problems that can arise from prosthetics... they can make those amazing blades and yet comfort and everyday issues seem to remain.
Most of the technology focus as far as I can see has been on he "exo-skeleton" (i.e. the stuff you attach to a leg) and less so on the interface between the residual limb and prosthetic. The main issue is that you are dealing with a dynamically changing limb (e.g. volume, shape changes through the day, let alone over time) and fitting it into a hard fixed volume and shaped shell, often nowadays made from carbon fibre.
The interface between skin and shell replaces the job of the missing skeleton - all forces are transmitted via the skin (which is why I think amputee runners are amazing, the impact forces are large relative to cycling). I could never contemplate attempting to run. Having a very snug fit is critically important, you do not want any movement as it creates shearing forces.
Although to be fair, there are some pretty funky computer controlled vacuum volume management systems, but they are unsuitable for performance applications such as athletics and cycling. More for everyday use.
My experience is relatively new, having had my amputation is 2007 and somewhat limited with only occasional exposure to other amputees (mostly at the amputee clinic and when I rode some paracycling events, with the world cup road race being where I saw the most in one place).
thirteen said:
(and apologies if i caused offence about the fellow i dated -- he was in theatre and could/did get in and out of his leg fairly quickly, but only for emergencies and/or brief stage entrances. it wasn't always comfortable, but he could -- though there were times it was a struggle if it was done improperly too many times in a row.)
no offence taken, I haven't read all comments in this thread in any case, I even made a moderately poor taste joke myself although I'm uncertain if many actually got it.
There are certain types of low end prosthetics that can be quicker to get in/out of, but the liner and pin arrangement requires one to carefully place the liner over your stump (rolls on like a big fat condom), and often also then use a sock before putting on the leg.
In time frame terms, it's as if you had to say put on a sock and boot and tie up your boot laces before you would be able to stand and walk. If your liner is already on, then it's fairly quick.
The low end/cheaper prosthetics don't have the liner with pin - they are held on by the shape of the prosthetic being narrow above the knee and pressing in against the leg - they can hurt ripping them on/off as the knee is wider than the opening.
thirteen said:
do you have any feelings about the case thus? does the scenario of when he said he put the prosthesis ring true to you?
I haven't read the statements, just heard snippets via news. I'll leave judgement on him to the court, since they will have all the available information presented without the filter of the mass media.
All I know is a woman has died a brutal death that should never have happened, be it via an accident or nefarious action.
I was never a big fan to start with, less so after the CAS hearing to be able to compete in able bodied events which butchered the science and showed a willingness to play loose and fast with evidence and the truth for presumably a fame and wealth return.
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