Despite the fact the IOC has qualified that Oscar’s carbon fiber
prosthetic running blades give him no physical advantage over able bodied athletes, l
ittle has been said or made known about the physical trauma and pain from
blisters, skin abrasions and breakdown his residual limbs, within the
supporting interface structures of his prosthetic legs, must endure for him to
compete at such a high level of activity.
The skin tissue and bone structures on the soles of our feet were created
to better resist the daily trauma of our weight, when walking and even
running, not the supporting tissue and bone structures of shins and calves,
such is the case within Oscar’s prosthetic limbs.
This is a definite disadvantage to Oscar over an able-bodied athlete, not
to mention his prosthetic Flex-Foot Cheetah running feet are essentially
like running on stilts that have less than half the base of support than a
normal foot.
I would encourage all prosthetic practitioners around the world, who may
be asked about Oscar running prostheses to share thoughts such as this and
encourage media reporters to ask Oscar about these factors in their
upcoming interviews with him or yourself!
What Oscar Pistorius has achieved as a human being, despite his obvious
disability, is the true story behind this young athlete’s accomplishments and
what should be focused on during the Olympic Games.
God’s speed Oscar Pistorius!
John N. Billock, CPO/L, Clinical Director
Orthotics & Prosthetics Rehabilitation Engineering Centre
Warren, Ohio 44484 USA
