Downhill Run Changes Skier’s Life

Cameron Kennedy has been skiing most of his life. Since it comes as natural to him as taking a deep breath, he didn’t expect the day he hit the slopes at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort in Colorado on February 20, 2021, to be any different. “I’ve skied for 40 years,” he says. “Blue groomed run, not quite sure what happened, but I was carving down the run and the next thing I knew I was tumbling and hit a tree.” Kennedy hit the tree with such force that breaking the tibia and fibula of his right leg also ruptured its artery and veins, which caused him to lose blood supply to his lower leg. The ski patrol carted Kennedy down the hill, and he was initially taken to Aspen Valley Hospital but was soon airlifted to a trauma hospital in Denver. Physicians were able to reestablish blood flow to his right leg, but six hours had passed since the accident and the tissue in his leg didn’t survive. After many surgeries, Kennedy was left with little choice but to undergo a transfemoral amputation on March 1, 2021. Be Picky Kennedy’s recovery began with 25 days in the hospital and another eight weeks at home, unable to walk because his left leg was also broken at the tibia and fibula with an ACL avulsion and a meniscus tear. He mostly used a wheelchair and scooted up and down the stairs using his arms. He also spent more than two months out of work due to the pain and recovery process. When it came time to get his first prosthesis, Kennedy did his homework. “In the hospital, they had set me up with a [prosthetic] company and I liked the guy, but I also knew this was a big decision,” he says. [caption id="attachment_242983" align="alignright" width="196"] Kennedy did his research when it came to getting his initial prosthesis. Photographs courtesy of Eric Neufeld.[/caption] Kennedy says he wanted to explore his options, not wanting to blindly accept that initial recommendation. “I’m a big believer in patients advocating for themselves,” he says. “And this is probably the number-one piece of advice I’d give to new amputees.” Kennedy says someone with a new amputation should ask probing questions when it comes to their device, never accept that there is only one option and get second and third opinions. “Be picky,” he says. “And figure out what’s best for you.” Mobile O&P Care Kennedy’s search for a prosthetist and a prosthesis brought him to Eric Neufeld, CPO, FAAOP, owner and founder of Agile Orthopedics, a mobile O&P rehabilitation provider based in Denver. “Unsurprisingly, amputees have a hard time with mobility, so having someone come to the house is amazing,” Kennedy says. “In the early days after my accident when I was in a wheelchair and not very mobile when I got my first prosthetic leg, visiting a prosthetist would have required my wife to drive me to my appointments, which is a burden to all of us.” Neufeld says he was introduced to Kennedy through a mutual friend. “We met at his home shortly after his amputation surgery. I answered questions, did a bit of show and tell, and generally laid out what to expect in terms of prosthetic management timeline and process,” Neufeld says. “I made it clear that the choice of a provider was his to make and encouraged him to meet with other prosthetists. We hit it off and have since become good friends.” Neufeld says in-place care works well for someone like Kennedy for a number of reasons: It removes barriers and provides safety and convenience for patients, but also allows them to be seen in a comfortable, familiar place on their terms. “Seeing patients at home sends the message that this is all about you,” Neufeld says. Kennedy says it is hard for him to imagine going to an office setting for his prosthetic care. “Even now that I am fully mobile and driving, I’m slower than I was pre-amputation, so normal visits take longer,” he says. “Since I work from home, it also lets me squeeze in a visit [with Agile] between work meetings that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to schedule, which ultimately results in much faster service,” Kennedy says. “Those hours I save by Eric coming to me are critical. All those extra minutes in my life are gone now that I’m an amputee. That has made time much more precious and Agile’s business model gives much of that time back to amputees. Those are more hours I have available to be with my family, or to work, or experience what I want out of life.” An Active Role in Socket Design Kennedy currently uses a suction suspension system with a seal-in liner and the Rheo microprocessor knee, Össur, Reykjavik, Iceland. Neufeld says Kennedy is now on his second socket utilizing a two-zone RevoFit system from Click Medical, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Using the RevoFit adjustable technology has been a key to success for fitting Kennedy, Neufeld says. “Aside from managing volume loss and atrophy, he has had to manage a neuroma, and providing compression to offload the painful area through the Click system has been a great solution.” Kennedy says though his Rheo knee is an advanced device, there are things about it that are still “unintuitive” for him. “Also getting the leg oriented correctly and all the way in the socket such that my foot is straight and I’m not toe-striking with every step is a constant challenge,” says Kennedy, who adds that his prosthesis always feels taller than his sound leg. Kennedy says the ability to adjust the fit of his socket is “game changing.” “The ability to tighten it keeps the pain off the distal end of my stump,” he says. “I tighten it every time I stand up to walk, so it’s effectively custom fit to my leg in real time. If I go for a long walk, I might tighten it every half mile or so. Having a full grip around my entire leg also provides excellent control as I walk.” Neufeld says Kennedy has taken an active role in his socket design. “All patients are invited to our lab to collaborate on the design and learn about what goes into making a device,” he says. “We have an in-house sublimation system that allows us to use any image on sockets without the need for T-shirts or fabric provided by the patient.” Kennedy is an advocate for the Click Medical system. “I can’t imagine not having panels on the side of my socket that provide a custom fit at all times,” he says. “I hear leg volume changes both throughout the day and over long periods of time, but I’ve not had any issues with it, and I’m not really even aware that it happens because I have a socket that grips my leg so well.” Getting on With Life as an Amputee In the nearly two years since Kennedy’s skiing accident, much has changed when it comes to his favorite outdoor activities such as skiing, biking, and hiking. Dealing with the constant phantom pain is also rough. “It’s always there,” he says. And as far as walking down hills and ramps, “I’m a long way from having mastered that.” What’s been easier for him has been the mental adjustment to having had a traumatic limb loss. “I think it causes a lot of amputees to face depression and other mental health challenges, but surprisingly that’s not been a big struggle for me,” Kennedy says. Being able to return to work has helped immensely, he says. “It gives me a sense of accomplishment and purpose, and it’s been way more impactful than overcoming any of the physical shortcomings I’m enduring.” Neufeld says it helps that Kennedy is optimistic and open minded. In addition, setting goals such as getting back on a bike and skis helped accelerate his recovery and performance. “It has allowed him to engage in the process and truly be involved in decisions about his rehabilitation. He asks a lot of questions, which has been productive and engaging,” Neufeld says. As for skiing, Kennedy is gradually getting back on the slopes. “Obviously I can’t ski like I used to, but that’s okay; I’ll chip away at it and relearn on one leg,” he says. “Just getting on the hill in under a year from my accident was a big milestone, but I miss not being able to ski as freely like I used to.” Kennedy recently started a new job and made a conscious choice to prioritize that over the more athletic milestones he wants to achieve. “I’ll get there,” he says. “Maybe I’ll ski more runs next year.”

Downhill Run Changes Skier’s Life

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