Prosthetics - Page 2 of 2 - South Beach Prosthetics

Taking up Adaptive Sports

Posted on Nov 1, 2022Sep 6, 2023 by webadmin

Sports participation means different things to different people. For some, it’s the adrenaline rush of competition; for others, it’s the simple joy of play. For people with disabilities like limb amputations, it can also be an opportunity. Adaptive sports and recreation may be key to your lifelong wellness. These activities may also help you engage with a community. Learn all the benefits below. If you want inspiration, take a look at our social feeds where we have been following the journey of our friends on the Haitian Amputee Soccer Team!

Health guidelines recommend adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. Which activities you choose doesn’t matter as long as they get you moving.

But what if an injury, illness, health condition, disability, or even normal aging makes being active hard for you? In those cases, adaptive sports could lend a much-needed hand.

What are adaptive sports?

Adaptive sports are competitive or recreational sports or activities for people with disabilities or physical limitations. They often run parallel to traditional endeavors, but are modified to support people’s specific physical abilities.

“Eventually, almost everyone will experience some kind of disability that impedes regular exercise, whether it’s mild arthritis, requiring a knee or hip replacement, limited vision, or a more significant physical disability,” says Dr. Cheri Blauwet, an associate professor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, and a former wheelchair racer who is a seven-time Paralympic medalist and two-time winner of both the Boston and New York City Marathons. “But today, because of advanced technology and supportive infrastructure, people can find almost any kind of sport or activity that takes into account their abilities and helps them stay active.”

Why is it important to stay active?

Not getting sufficient regular exercise increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. It also affects mood. And people with disabilities are especially vulnerable because of the challenges of staying active, says Dr. Blauwet. “Adaptive sports are a way for us to continue to exercise regularly and support our health and well-being going forward.”

Research backs this up. According to one study, people participating in adaptive sports and activities report better overall health, quality of life, and social life.

How can you learn about options for adaptive activities near you?

You can find state and local adaptive sports programs and accessible activities through the websites of the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability and the Challenged Athletes Foundation. “These programs also can help you find mentors, coaches, and the support system that you need to be successful,” says Dr. Blauwet.

What kind of sport or activity you choose ultimately depends on your interests and level of function, but many options are available.

Build on strengths and consider new activities

Dr. Blauwet shares other strategies that can help you transition to adaptive activities.

Look at your current form of exercise. “Almost any kind of sport or activity can be adjusted to accommodate people with disabilities, so there is a good chance you can continue with a favorite endeavor,” says Dr. Blauwet.

For instance, as part of her ongoing therapy, former Arizona representative Gabby Giffords, an avid cyclist who lives with a brain injury after an assassination attempt, now rides a recumbent bike because of paralysis on her right side and balance issues. (A recumbent bike is a three-wheel bicycle that places the rider in a seated or laid-back reclining position.)

Other sports and activities can be altered similarly. For example, specialized golf carts can help you stand and stabilize your body while swinging the club. Sledge hockey uses sleds to skate across the ice.

Focus on your strengths. Don’t dwell on what you can’t do, but focus on what you can. Running no longer an option? How about power walking using walking poles for support? Can’t use your legs? Focus on upper body activities like swimming or kayaking. Low vision? Guides are available to help you walk, run, and cycle.

Join a team. Many adaptive sports have organized team leagues with adjusted rules and formats, like wheelchair basketball and tennis, and “beep” baseball and kickball for individuals with low vision. “These are a great way to build more awareness about your new endeavor and build a community with other peers with similar disabilities,” says Dr. Blauwet. “Plus, a little competition provides extra motivation.”

Try something new. Use your new functional status as an opportunity to attempt a different sport or activity. “Test the waters and try something that has always interested you,” says Dr. Blauwet. “Now might be the ideal time to explore waterskiing, windsurfing, horseback riding, or rock wall climbing.”

It may be mentally and emotionally tough to embrace adaptive sports and activities, as it can feel like your disability has become magnified. But don’t let that dissuade you, adds Dr. Blauwet. “Staying committed to being active and investing in your health can help reduce and eliminate any negative stigma you feel. Participation in adaptive sports is not a lesser way of living, but a way to live better.”

We know recovering and rehabilitation is not an easy road, but you are not alone. Our caring, experienced, and specialized staff is ready to attend to all your needs. We will work closely with you to design a prosthesis that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. Contact us today at (888) 819-4721 to get the best prosthetic care. Find our Facebook community here.

Reference: [https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/taking-up-adaptive-sports-202209122813]

Gardening for Amputees

Posted on Sep 1, 2022Oct 2, 2024 by webadmin

Is gardening an activity you’d like to participate in? If you’ve never thought about it — here is your chance to explore the possibilities! Gardening is an exercise that has benefits for both the body and the mind. It can be a mood booster, for sure. And the fruits of your labor (sometimes literally! ?) can be priceless. Learn how to get started!

Sue Kent wasn’t angling for a media career when she sent some video of her backyard garden to BBC Two. It was 2020 and the whole world was in lockdown, so production had been suspended on the channel’s hugely popular Gardeners’ World series. Hungry for content, the producers asked viewers to record short segments from their own gardens and send them in. Kent, who was born with congenital limb difference in both arms, made a huge impression with her video tour of her seaside garden in Swansea. When Gardeners’ World resumed production in 2021, she was invited back as a guest host; now she’s a regular, with a prestigious award under her belt and a seat in the Royal Horticultural Society’s ambassadors program.

With no thumbs, seven fingers, and arms less than a foot long, Kent invented her own style of gardening. She doesn’t call it “adaptive,” however, because she considers that adjective redundant when it comes to cultivation. In her view, all gardening is adaptive—you’re working with living organisms and natural ecosystems over which you have limited control, so you just do the best you can and banish delusions of perfection.

“Gardening is all about failing,” she told a British magazine. “Adapt and survive, that’s my motto.”

That credo allowed Kent to build a successful career as a professional massage therapist, using her feet (rather than hands) to weed out the aches and pains that take root in people’s bodies. She employs all four of her limbs in the garden, with an array of hacks that have value for people with disabilities of all kinds, as well as boring old able-bodieds. Here are a few of Kent’s tips that can help any gardener get better results. Learn more from her on Instagram @suekentathome or at her website, suekent.com.

1. Select “easy maintenance” plants.

There’s no such thing as a low-maintenance garden, Kent says; all plants require attention and care. But certain species demand more frequent pruning, more arduous soil management, more intricate staging, and so forth. Kent favors self-seeding plants that renew on their own. She also makes strategic use of plants that have dense root networks, which help prevent weeds from gaining the upper hand.

2. Ensure flexibility and access via long-range planning.

With a growing season or two, a given plant may evolve from a ground-hugging seedling to a mature plant that towers overhead, creating added challenges for a person with upper-limb difference. Kent learned to solve that problem as a child, raising vegetables in small, portable boxes that she could place on surfaces of any height (from table to chair to ground) as circumstances warranted. They also were easy to transport from greenhouse to garden, depending on the season. Today, Kent carefully plans her arrangements to ensure that she will have sustainable access throughout each plant’s life cycle.

3. Create terraces via imaginative use of pots and planters.

Since Kent’s upper-limb difference constrains her reach, she employs an array of containers to raise or lower plants to an appropriate height. Her full variety of solutions is on display in her DIY Gardeners’ World segment; it includes everything from milk crates to terra cotta planters, plastic tubs, trellises, and tall ceramic pots. There’s even an ingenious “strawberry tower” with sliding compartments. The same strategies could help lower-limb amputees with back pain, limited range of motion, or other challenges.

4. Use the right tools.

With no thumbs and limited upper-body strength, Kent can’t get much use from many standard gardening implements. Ergo she avoids arrangements that would require regular use of shears, hoes, rakes, and shovels, inclining toward species that can be managed well with trowels and pruning clippers. Likewise, Kent’s compost bins and buckets are proportioned in accordance with her physical abilities.

“Having a physical difference, whatever it is, can create barriers in the garden,” Kent says. “But it’s worth working around them, because the rewards are so great and it brings such joy. I believe in focusing on what I can do in life. My physical ability informs my creative thinking.”

The loss of a limb does change your life, but your passions remain the same. With cutting-edge prosthetic techniques and materials, combined with our total passion for patient satisfaction and comfort, we work to get you back to living a life you love. Contact us today at (888) 819-4721 to get the best prosthetic care. Find our Facebook community here.

Reference: [https://livingwithamplitude.com/amputee-gardener-sue-kent-bbc-royal-horticultural-society/]

Drew’s Story

Posted on Aug 26, 2022Oct 2, 2024 by webadmin

When we say no one understands better than us the journey you are undertaking, we mean it! And we stand by those words with our actions. Every patient we meet receives the genuine care and expert attention they deserve — because the resulting joy, appreciation, and satisfaction from our patients are what makes us most happy. We love hearing from our new family members, like Drew. Here is his story:

Hello, everyone! My name is Drew. I was living in Mansfield, MO, and had an elective BKA amputation surgery due to a terrible motorcycle accident in 1999. The doctors in Missouri referred me to Hanger Clinic in Springfield MO, to be fitted with my prosthesis. They made me a check socket with a lanyard suspension, and when I finally got delivery of the prosthesis, I had a very hard time walking, putting it on and off, and I had a tremendous amount of pain, and I felt like I was going to fall.

Here’s a little bit about me: I’m a 54-year-old man, 6 foot 6 and 310lbs. My calf muscles are much larger than my knee, so that would be an issue as my residual limb transformed. Let me skip ahead a little — I was doing my best with the prosthesis, but I always felt something wasn’t right.

I recently relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and I found South Beach O&P by accident when I limped my way into the Davie, FL location. I was met by Mark, the owner. He shook my hand, looked at my leg, and said, “why are you in that setup?” I said, “I don’t know; this is what Hanger Clinic gave me,” and he said, “Sit down and take that leg off.”

Mark then made a 3D image of my residual limb, explaining everything to me, and within 45 minutes, I had a check socket made for me, and I was WALKING!!! I kept saying, “Hang on, let me get you my insurance info,” and he said to me, “I don’t care about that; right now, what is most important is that you are not in pain, and you feel comfortable walking.” He kept saying to me: “I don’t want you in pain,” and then he brought out the check socket, which was a pin configuration. He said a lanyard suspension that Hanger Clinic made for me is used mainly for an above-the-knee amputee and that I was in the wrong setup.

Mark put a new liner on my leg, we put the new prosthesis on, and I was walking pain-free almost immediately — then he took me and my girlfriend on a tour of the facility, showing me the state-of-the-art 3D printing they use. Then they hugged us and said, “Welcome to the family!”

I got to tell you the follow-up and communication that I have experienced in just a few weeks from this man and his staff are unprecedented — what a wonderful experience! I’m waiting for the delivery of the leg on the first of September. I would recommend South Beach O&P to my family and friends if they need that type of service! I am so grateful that I found them, and I’m able to walk pain-free, and their customer service (like I said) is amazing and personable! I feel very safe and comfortable knowing they are the new prosthesis company for me! I’m looking forward to what the future holds for me with South Beach O&P!

Thank you, Mark, Thomas, Allen, and all your staff !!!!!!

South Beach Prosthetics stands with you every step of the way. Wherever you are in your prosthetic journey, you can count on our support & expertise to get where you need to be. Get in touch with us today at (888) 819-4721 to learn more about how we can help. Join us! Find our Facebook community here.

From Lower Leg Loss to Walking Again — My Journey

Posted on Feb 25, 2022Oct 2, 2024 by webadmin

Regardless of how it occurs, experiencing limb loss is a traumatic experience. But, it is possible to adapt, adjust, and move forward with independence when you have the collective support of loved ones and professionals who care about your recovery and are there with you throughout your journey. This inspiring story from one of our patients is a lovely example:

My story started on the morning of October 7th, 2019. It was a day that changed my life. I was involved in a car accident that resulted in a right above-knee amputation. When they say some things can happen so fast and change the direction of your life — it is true.

As I was healing, I still needed to see my orthopedic surgeon. In January of 2020, I asked if there was any way of getting either a free or low-cost prosthetic to work toward becoming mobile again. The surgeon’s office referred me to Josh, who worked with South Beach Prosthetics. We connected and talked for a while — I explained to Josh what had happened to me. I told him what I had been through and the challenges I was facing now. Josh was very nice; he listened to everything and told me he would do what he could to get a prosthetic leg for me. I was not too sure what would happen next.

Within a week, I received a call back from Josh, who told me that I was approved and had an appointment in the Sebring office. That is where I met Mark; still, at that point, I did not know what it meant that I was approved. Mark then told me I was getting a prosthetic leg; I could hardly believe it! He sent me home that day with a plunger leg to practice on and wanted me to come to the Davie office the following week to try out some prosthetic legs.

The first day I walked again since my accident was in the Davie office on February 12th, 2020 — four months after my amputation. I have not stopped walking since. Mark and his staff have been great and there with me every step of the way.

South Beach Prosthetics manufactures and provides comfortable, high-performance prosthetic solutions that meet individual patient requirements in a compassionate and supportive environment. We are here for you. Connect with us to learn more at (855) 958-1777 and join our Facebook community.

Author: George Davis, Lakeland, FL

What You Need to Know About Prosthetics as A New Amputee

Posted on Nov 2, 2021Oct 11, 2023 by webadmin

The goal of a prosthetic is to restore normal body function to a patient. Prosthetic limbs allow amputees to walk, write, run, hold items, and perform all kinds of other activities that collectively increase the quality of life. Here is everything you need to know about prosthetics as a new amputee — and if you have other questions, call us! We have a great support team that gets all your questions answered. We are also about ‘The Perfect Fit!’ — we don’t let you live with any physical discomfort from your prosthesis!

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the information out there, so we took some of the commonly asked questions to help you decide whether you want to get a prosthesis and what to expect once you have your device.

Why get a prosthesis?

Choosing to use or forego a prosthesis depends on your goals. Consider the following questions: What do you want to do with a prosthetic limb? What activities do you want to do after limb loss? Do you want to run or resume playing a sport?

After carefully answering these questions, work closely with your healthcare team. They can address your concerns and guide you to a device that will help you meet your goals.

How does a prosthetic limb work?

A prosthesis is an extension of your body. It’s a tool that helps you regain mobility or independence after limb loss. Individual prostheses differ depending on a person’s physical abilities, level of amputation, and needs and goals.

Upper- and lower-limb prostheses have similar essential components. However, upper-limb prostheses will have a “terminal device” such as a hand, hook, or a specialized tool. The focus of upper-limb prostheses is on functional enhancement. Meanwhile, lower-limb prostheses feature a foot and focus on walking.

Both upper- and lower-limb prostheses have a prosthetic socket. This is the receptacle into which the residual limb will fit. A prosthetic liner, socks, or both are first worn over the residual limb, followed by the socket.

The prosthetic limb must also be suspended or held with a suspension sleeve or a locking pin attached to the liner. Your prosthetist will be able to discuss the many socket and suspension options with you.

How much will a prosthesis cost?

Prostheses have a wide price range. It depends on your limb loss level and the type of device best suited to you and your needs. Insurance plans typically cover the partial cost of the device. Some plans may even cover the entire cost of the prosthesis.

Work closely with your insurance company to understand the types of devices and the services covered by your policy. Be prepared to make several calls and provide documentation. You are your advocate in this case.

Find out if working with your prosthetist on the fit and alignment of your device is bundled with the total cost of your prosthesis. Typically, prosthetists continue to work with you until you’re comfortable with your device’s fit and alignment.

What is a K level?

The K level is a rating from 0 to 4. It is used to predict your potential success with your prosthesis. Medicare uses this system to rate your rehabilitation potential. And many private insurance companies also use this system to establish coverage guidelines.

To determine your K level, your doctor will assess your cognitive and physical abilities.

K0 Level

The individual doesn’t have the ability or potential to ambulate or transfer safely with or without assistance. A prosthesis will not enhance the person’s mobility or quality of life.

K1 Level

The individual has the ability or potential to use a prosthesis for transfers or ambulation on level surfaces at fixed walking speeds.

K2 Level

The individual has the potential or ability to overcome low-level environmental barriers such as uneven surfaces, curbs, or stairs.

K3 Level

The individual has the ability or potential for ambulation at a changeable measure. Most people under this classification can overcome most of the environmental barriers mentioned above. They may also have activities that demand prosthetic limb use beyond simple movement.

K4 Level

The individual has the potential or ability to use a prosthesis beyond basic ambulation, exhibiting high impact or energy levels. A child, an active adult, or an athlete will typically fall under this classification.

When can I get a prosthesis?

It depends on how quickly your residual limb heals from the surgery. Some receive a temporary prosthesis immediately after amputation or within two to three weeks. Fitting for a prosthetic device usually begins two to six months after surgery when the incision has completely healed, the swelling has gone down, and your physical condition improves.

Meanwhile, the rehabilitation process begins soon after surgery with physical or occupational therapy. You learn how to move with a wheelchair, walker, or crutches and exercise and stretch to avoid contractures. These exercises keep you as mobile as possible and prepare you for wearing and using your prosthesis.

How soon can I go back to what I used to do pre-amputation?

Your new normal depends on your amputation type, rehabilitation process, and health and well-being. Expect the first year to be challenging. There will be changes in the shape and size of your residual limb, and you will work with your healthcare team to recondition muscles. Your body will also need to relearn activities, coordination, gait, and balance. You will continue to improve with time and effort.

What if the device doesn’t fit?

Fitting for your prosthesis involves several visits to your prosthetist. Some amputations can be challenging to fit, requiring multiple fittings. And even when your device fits properly, it takes some time to get used to the sensation of having extra weight through your residual limb.

Although some initial discomfort is expected, pain is not part of the process. If you feel pain, be as specific as possible in describing the pain and where you feel it. This allows your prosthetist to address your concerns accurately.

As your residual limb continues to change and heal, make sure not to miss any follow-up appointments. Your prosthetist must make adjustments to ensure your comfort and avoid significant problems.

How long does a prosthesis last?

Depending on your activity level, growth, and age, a device can last anywhere from several months to years. In the early stages after limb loss, many changes occur in the residual limb, leading to shrinking. This may require changing your prosthetic socket, getting new prosthetic liners, or even a different device.

If your activity level increases or you want to do more activities, you may need to change your device or some of its components.

Is it challenging to use a prosthetic limb?

It can be a challenge. It takes time, effort, determination, and patience. However, you have nothing to worry about. Prosthetists typically offer some training on how to use and take care of a prosthesis. It’s also helpful to work with a physical or occupational therapist. Working with a therapist will make prosthesis use tolerable for first-timers.

Can the prosthesis break down?

Yes, your prosthetic limb may require repair or replacement so take note of warranties. Get minor problems fixed right away. Waiting may lead to a more complex repair job or severe skin problems. Waiting to get your prosthesis fixed will not only harm your residual limb but other parts of the body as well. Unsolved issues will also affect your posture and the performance of the device.

If you have more questions, we highly suggest consulting with your prosthetist. But if you don’t have one yet, we also have a guide to choosing the right prosthetist for you.

South Beach Prosthetics develops and provides comfortable, high-performance prosthetic solutions that meet all patient requirements in a compassionate and supportive environment with ongoing solutions and care. Connect with us to learn more and schedule your complimentary consultation. Info@SouthBeachOP.com

Reference: [https://amputeestore.com/blogs/amputee-life/what-you-need-to-know-about-prosthetics-as-a-new-amputee]

Desensitization Exercises After Limb Amputation

Posted on Aug 9, 2021Nov 21, 2023 by webadmin

Hypersensitivity to touch in your residual limb occurs in many cases. Engaging in a comprehensive rehab program, including exercise and desensitization exercises, can help you have a successful recovery after limb amputation. Here, you can understand more about desensitization exercises.

If you have had a limb amputation, you may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist to help you regain maximal mobility. Your physical therapist can show you exercises to do, teach you how to manage your prosthesis, and maximize mobility while minimizing pain or discomfort. Rehabilitation after a limb amputation—lower extremity or upper extremity—typically involves several different components. Exercise can help improve your strength and range of motion. Wrapping can help shape your residual limb to prepare it for proper use of the prosthesis. Desensitization exercises can help decrease residual limb hypersensitivity.

Desensitization exercises may be one component of your rehab program after limb amputation. These exercises are designed to help decrease hypersensitivity that may occur after an amputation. After an amputation, you may feel phantom limb pain. Sometimes the end of your limb may become very sensitive to touch. This can make using a prosthesis difficult or impossible.

Why Are Desensitization Exercises Necessary After Amputation?

After limb amputation, an area of hypersensitivity can develop along the healed surgical incision. This can make wearing a compression bandage painful and it may interfere with prosthetic use. Special desensitization exercises can help decrease this uncomfortable sensation. The technique involves the gradual advancement of texture and pressure application to the hypersensitive area. By consistently providing a changing input to the nerves of your residual limb, your hypersensitivity will decrease and prosthetic use can become more comfortable and natural.

Before starting desensitization exercises—or any other exercise after an amputation—check in with your doctor or physical therapist to ensure that the exercises are safe for you to do. You should never rub any material over an open incision or wound as part of desensitization exercises. This may cause infection to enter your body through the incision.

To begin, lightly rub a smooth textured material, like silk, across the hypersensitive site. Rub back and forth, in circles, and random directions. Be sure to cover the entire area that may be hypersensitive. You should feel discomfort, itching, pain, or sensitive sensations while rubbing the material on your residual limb. You should rub over the sensitive area for a few minutes, and the desensitization exercises can be done several times each day.

When you stop rubbing your limb during the desensitization exercises, the uncomfortable sensations you are feeling should go away. At the very least, they should decrease in intensity.

Once the sensation becomes comfortable over the course of days or weeks, advance the texture as well as the pressure applied. A rougher surface may be required and slightly more pressure against your residual limb may be necessary. Desensitization should be performed every two hours for 15 minutes throughout the day.

Different Textures to Use for Desensitization Exercises

You should use various textures for your desensitization exercises. This can help you gradually decrease the hypersensitivity you are feeling in your residual limb. Your physical therapist can give you ideas of different textures to use to advance your desensitization exercises.

Texture advancement may be progressed from smooth to rough as follows:

Silk
Cotton
Velvet
Corduroy
Wool

Your tolerance to each texture may vary, and you may have to progress slowly over a few days (or weeks) for each type of texture. Working closely with your PT and doctor during this time can be important, just so you know exactly what to expect with desensitization exercises.

By performing your desensitization exercises using a variety of surfaces and pressures, you may be able to decrease your overall hypersensitivity to touch in your residual limb. Engaging in a comprehensive rehab program, including exercise and desensitization exercises, can help you have a successful recovery after limb amputation.

Our team understands your journey, and we go above and beyond to make sure you can overcome every challenge. We are here for you. Connect with us to learn more at (855) 958-1777 and join our Facebook community. Remember – we also offer free transportation for prosthetic appointments and deliver in-home care. You can also ask us about the South Beach Prosthetics Friends program for support and camaraderie.

Reference: [https://www.verywellhealth.com/desensitization-exercises-2696171]