We have a bilateral amputee who is a hip disarticulation on the right and a short transfemoral on the left. He has been referred with a prescription for a left AK prosthesis. He has approximately 55 degrees of functional ROM at the hip and a femur length of approximately 5 inches. He does not want bilateral prostheses. But, he says that he is determined to find a way to get out of the chair and ambulate and that he will find a prosthetist that will help him do that.
He has very good upper body strength and undeniable determination. We have advised him that it will probably be best for him to focus his energies on what he can do to improve his independence and mobility without a prosthesis. But, he is still insistent that there has to be a way to ambulate and that he will find a way.
My mind is taking me to more of a unipedal sitting prosthesis that would be utilized with forearm cruthes in a three point type of “gait” vs. a single AK prosthesis. But, I am very interested in hearing what experience and/or advice other prosthetist might be willing to share with any similar case(s).
Thank you in advance for your feedback.
Eddie V. White, CP
Beacon Prosthetics and Orthotics
