Living Large Without Limbs
by KFYR TV Juli McDonald
Posted on 12/29/2011
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Think about all the ways we use our limbs, all throughout the day. Our arms and legs get us to the places we need to be, and help us complete just about every task in our lives. Without a limb, you might think you’d become a spectator in life, but advancements in bionics are keeping amputees moving just like they always did.
Today’s artificial limbs are designed to replace missing body parts – “replace” being the key word. Ideally, patients should be able to enjoy life in the same ways as anyone else. Technology has brought prosthetics a long way though; earlier models did have their restrictions.
“There were greater risks in their environment. If you stayed on concrete and you stayed on the smooth and narrow path, it worked fine. Alter it to gravel, grass or anything else that might be a barrier to an amputee, then the prosthesis functioned differently,” said Eric Lieux, a prosthetist/orthotist with Great Plains Rehabilitation Services.
But with advanced bionics there are no barriers; newer models can even get wet. Even the heel height can be changed, so that no matter what shoe the person wears, they’ll walk the same way. There are carbon graphite feet have a spring capability, which means an amputee can enjoy the same walking feedback as someone with two legs.
“This leg here does both stance and swing, allowing the patient to change his cadence, changes his gait. A nice advantage of this is you can go up and down stairs, ramps, and things like that,” explained Lieux.
Understandably, the fear of falling can cause a lot of anxiety for amputees. But bionics today adapt to situations on their own, which helps amputees regain their confidence.
Lieux said: “They don’t have to think about how to walk the leg. The leg does it for them.”
Army research labs are conducting trials right now of bionics that actually function as the lost muscle. Instead of making it easier for the amputee to rise from a chair – the bionic would actually do it for them. As far as the future of bionics, Eric says the sky’s the limit.
Tomorrow on the Night Report you’ll meet a man who’s benefited from prosthetics for years. Thanks to his bionic leg, he`s remained in charge of his farm, and enjoying his motorcycle in his free time.
Click play to watch the video above.