There are several different types of upper limb prosthetic devices that are waterproof. But a device that helps you swim faster looks a lot different from a device that allows you to go kayaking. This is why many of our patients, when they have the option, get more than one device. We’ll look at the unique attachments our patients use when it comes to getting in, or near, the water.

Many people simply take off their prosthesis when they swim. This can work fine if they’re just tooling around in the pool. But for anyone with a below elbow or higher limb difference, swimming laps without a device can lead to overuse issues. Your sound side may try to overcompensate when it comes to strokes, meaning that your limb different side probably can’t keep up with the sound side.

For lap swimming, many of our patients have been fit with devices like the Freestyle Swim Device by Steeper. You can watch silver medal Paralympian Lizzi Smith, a patient at our Southwest Center in Dallas, use hers below:

Did you know that at the Paralympic Games, competitors aren’t allowed to use their prosthetic devices in the pool? But Lizzi uses her to practice, so she can keep any overuse issues to a minimum and strengthen both arms in a balanced way to maximize her power potential.

Our patient Karen has a passion for kayaking. The device she uses is also made by Steeper and it’s called a Hammerhead. “It’s absolutely amazing,” she told us. You can see her using it in the photos below. “I thought I could use my kayak attachment for another type of exercise that I do on my indoor rowing machine. But I can’t because when I use the rowing machine, I need to be able to bend my wrist, and the Hammerhead keeps my wrist straight, which is perfect for kayaking.” This is a great example of why people may need more than one prosthesis and probably more than one type of terminal device. For the rowing machine, Karen’s prosthetist, Julian, simply fit her with a leather strap that allows her to hang on the handlebar. Karen actually has three devices, since she also uses an iLimb myoelectric hand.

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Another option for kayaking, rowing, or in our patient Wendi’s case, paddleboarding, is the Multi D device by Fillauer. It isn’t fully waterproof it labels itself as “fresh water splash resistant,” so if there’s a good chance it will end up in the water, this may not be the best option. One of the reason’s Wendi likes this particular device is that she can use it when she’s working at Trader Joe’s, and when she heads to the gym. The JAWS device, also a favorite among our patients, is another option for kayaking  our patient Teresea uses that device.

Wendi Parker on Stand Up Paddleboard

There are many other water sports out there, including surfing, water polo, and snorkeling. Depending on the person’s amputation level, some water sports don’t require a prosthesis, even to minimize overuse issues.

Please keep in mind that for finger and partial hand prostheses, some of these body-powered and passive positional devices can be submerged, and others can get wet, but shouldn’t be submerged. For instance, Naked Prosthetics devices can be exposed to rain or hand washing, but shouldn’t be worn when swimming.

For every device and every sport, speak with a prosthetist about what your goals and plans are. Chances are, if they’re one of our upper limb specialists, they’ve had experience with patients who’ve had similar goals. Many of our centers have equipment like paddles or handles so our occupational therapists can help patients practice with their devices.

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What are you looking to try for the first time or get back into? We’d love to hear about it, and no challenge is too daunting. Please contact us if you, or someone you know, is interested in learning more about activity-specific prosthetic devices that can handle the water. If you’d like to leave a comment, please do so below.

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