Optimus Prosthetics - July Newsletter

For four years, Jackie Kastle tried to get someone to listen to her when she said something was wrong.

"It's been a long road to recovery," she said.

She was struck by a drunk driver while she was riding her motorcycle four years ago. The accident ripped her leg off.

At first, Jackie could not get anyone to listen when she said she was in constant pain and had limited mobility. She was unable to attend her kids' sporting event due to the uneven grassy fields and would only be able to go up and down her stairs once a day due to the discomfort she was experiencing with her previous prosthesis.

All that changed when she called Optimus Prosthetics and met her new prosthesis, Ellie.

"She's been a life saver," Jackie said. "And now, I can chase after my kids in my new prosthesis. I can wear my leg for 10 hours a day whereas before I could barely go 2 hours with it on."

Jackie's always been an active person. She ran track and played sports in high school. Losing these things caused her to fall into a bad depression. Since regaining her mobility, she's been able to resume her active life. Recently, she's went camping with her family and attended physical therapy.

"I can get up and dance around with my kids and attend their sporting events," she said. "I am very grateful for Optimus. If it hadn't been for Optimus I wouldn't be where I am today."

She advises other amputees to be their own advocate when it comes to their health.

"If something isn't working or you're in pain, speak up until it's right," she said.

James Knapp: You Can Do It!

When you sit down to talk to James (Jim) and his wife Amber, you will notice right away: their smiles. The love they have for one another and their impeccable sense of humor are the trademarks of their relationship. They were going to need every bit of both of these when Jim learned early this year that he was going to have to have his foot amputated. It was a scary and difficult decision for them both, but after over 3 years of surgeries trying to fight a MRSA infection, they finally reached the decision that it was time for amputation.

The hardest part of the journey for Jim was facing the fact that he would have to lose his limb. Sorting through the various emotions of anger, grief, and depression was not easy, but he came to accept that, if he wanted to have any hope of walking normally again, he was going to have to walk down this path. He credits his wife, Amber, as well as friends and family for helping to keep him grounded and staying positive. He also was grateful for the support and encouragement he got from the staff at Optimus.

"If you guys [Optimus] weren't around, I don't know what I would have done. I remember Lyndsey came in [while I was in the hospital] and told me everything would be ok." This reassurance helped Jim to paint a new picture of what could be possible now. He knew he wanted to walk again and be active, and it was then that he set his mind to do just that. His wife, Amber, shared, "I was afraid I would lose him [Jim] mentally, but he has proved me wrong in so many ways. When he sets his mind to do something, he will do it!"

The biggest piece of advice that Jim and Amber have for families who are going down the same journey that they did, "It's ok to be scared, but you have to realize that it is sometimes better to lose your foot and get a prosthesis than to keep fighting a losing battle. With a prosthesis, you have a chance to get up and walk again. It will be tough at first, but you can do it! It's all about will power. If you are all strong individually, then you will also be strong together. You can make it. You CAN do it!

Jim has accomplished his goal and continues to amaze us all. He is not only standing again, he is walking unassisted less than 6 months after surgery, which is far sooner than the average. We are so proud of him. "I am so glad to be up on 2 feet again and out of a wheelchair!"

The journey has not been an easy one, and it has been difficult for both Jim and Amber. However, in Jim's own words, "I am so glad I picked you [Optimus]! You have been the shoulder to cry on and the hand to help guide us through this process."

We are truly honored to work with Jim and his family, and look forward to helping him continue to meet his goals!

Jim's Corner - Stand to Sit and Sit to Stand

Jim Scharf, PTA

The goal of "Jim's Corner" is to provide helpful information and be a resource for those helping patients fitted with prosthetics learn to use them correctly in order to enjoy a better quality of life as an amputee.

For this month's column we will discuss a progression, or another way to teach a proper stand to sit and sit to stand transfer for the transtibial/below knee patients and the transfemoral/above knee patients that have a microprocessor or other yielding knee. To help the patient to learn a smooth and fluid transfer it is important to have the patient weight-bear equally through both feet, and remember my "icky potty" method (see last month). To aid in the learning process, the clinician is to provide some form of manual cueing/manual resistance. Be careful of too much manual resistance-we don't want to overpower the patient and knock them over or off balance. If the manual resistance is just too much for the patient, lighten up and have them "match my resistance." There are two methods listed below.

The clinician provides manual resistance that is applied to prosthetic side pelvis and knee.

The patient starts in sitting, the clinician will provide the manual resistance, and patient is instructed to stand. Also cue the patient to push through both feet or through the prosthetic heel (remember that a prosthetic knee will not power the patient up with the exception of the Power Knee)
Manual resistance is applied from start in sitting continuously through to standing.
Then manual resistance is applied from standing continuously through a return to sitting.

The clinician provides manual resistance that is applied to prosthetic side pelvis & shoulder.

The patient starts in sitting, the clinician will provide the manual resistance, and patient is instructed to stand. Also cue the patient to push through both feet or through the prosthetic heel (remember a prosthetic knee will not power the patient up with the exception of the Power Knee)
Manual resistance is applied from start in sitting continuously through to standing.
Then manual resistance is applied from standing continuously through a return to sitting.

It is important to relieve the sound side and that the load is transmitted equally through both feet when sitting down. This will encourage a more natural movement.

Further down the rehab road when the patient can stand up independently and ambulate safely, we can have them stand. Once fully upright, we can start into gait immediately.

Jim Scharf, PTA, Prosthetic Assistant/Gait Specialist

Jim has been a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant since 1988. Jim has worked with lower extremity amputee patients throughout his career. He serves as a Gait Specialist and Liaison when prosthetic patients are meeting with their therapists. Feel free to contact Jim if he can assist you in any way at:jscharf@optimusprosthetics.com.