We recently received an email from a person with a bilateral amputation. They let us know that before their amputation they exercised, rode horses, skied and swam. Was it possible to participate in all those activities now? The answer is yes  with the right prostheses, training, and support.

Below, we’ll discuss examples of the prostheses our patients wear for these various activities. No matter what your goals are, either short or long-term, discussing them with a qualified upper limb prosthetist is the fastest way to achieve those goals. Once the prosthesis is created, our clinical therapy specialists are there to help the patient through specialized training customized to the patient’s goals and needs. Each of our upper limb specialists can recommend the best prosthetic tools for the job!

Our patient JJ was electrocuted late in 2018. Over the past few years, JJ has been able to be very active at his gym through specialized support. He found a gym that caters to people with different types of disabilities, such as stroke or paralysis. While JJ is now skilled enough to use the machines with his prostheses on his own, he finds the support that is provided by his gym, the Neuro Fitness Foundation, to be invaluable. “This past summer, a volunteer came in who used to be a bodybuilder. And he basically became my personal trainer for the summer. I had been working out very hard, but I wasn’t seeing any results. This guy knew exactly how I should tweak my workout — I’d been overworking the muscles and not letting them grow enough. Now I’m seeing results.” When JJ goes to the gym, he uses his body-powered hooks to use the machines. When he goes bowling, pictured below, he uses an activity-specific device.

Bowling-Listing

We have fit many patients with different presentations who want to go horseback riding again. There are several options available for this activity, depending on your riding level, but body-powered terminal devices will generally be durable enough and do just fine with the dust. Some myoelectric devices, such as the ETD or the TASKA multi-articulating myoelectric hand, should be able to handle the reins.

For Alpine and Nordic skiing, though, activity-specific devices might be the way to go. The SkiTrek activity-specific prosthesis by Fillauer is one option, but, again, your prosthetist will have a good idea of what will best suit you based on your needs and limb difference level.

For swimming, check out our article about Waterproof and Water-Resistant Upper Limb Prostheses. Not only do we discuss which devices can go in the water, we also discuss activity-specific devices that can turn you into something akin to Aquaman.

Swimming Prosthesis

While those are some great activities to start with, there’s no need to limit yourself. Check out our article on Hobbies with a Limb Difference. You can also watch our patient Gerry, one of our bilateral patients, in his patient profile video. Gerry takes care of his farm by, using a skill saw, welding, and handling a range of other yard and farm tools.

Or check out Jason, also a bilateral amputee, who took time out of his busy schedule to show us how to use a riding lawnmower, back up a tractor onto a trailer, and offer tips for riding an ATV. Both Gerry and Jason are the definition of active.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our article about the Enhancing Skills for Life Group, or head over to their YouTube page.

GerrySawListing
Gerry with (one of) his saws.

The most important piece of advice from our patients: take breaks. Not only are breaks needed when you’re learning the new skills necessary for these activities, they also relieve frustration and keep you from getting exhausted. Your muscles and skin need rest and your mind, too! We have found that bilateral amputees wear their devices for longer periods of time than uniliteral amputees. We love that, but we do know that the muscles and skin under your prostheses will need time to rest and dry off when you’re going hard at your chosen hobby. Be sure to discuss residual limb care with your prosthetist and your doctor.

It's these kinds of considerations that are needed for someone who relies on their prostheses as much as people with bilateral upper limb differences do. These are the considerations that our prosthetists and on-site occupational therapists think of daily for their patients, no matter their limb difference level.

If this sounds like the kind of prosthetic care you or someone you know is interested in, please contact us. If you would like to comment, especially if you are someone with a bilateral limb difference who has gotten back to, or would like to get back to, the activities that make you happy, please comment below.

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