AmputeeOT: How a definitive carbon fiber prosthetic leg works

[@descaro]

my grandfather was amputee above the knee he had a very old prosthesis, I think one like yours would make his life easier, you are a great example, continues with your videos, my best wishes

[@cynthiaguzman1593]

I cannot tell you how helpful your videos have been. My husband, who lives in Mexico underwent a Syme amputation. The resource is out there are just horribly scarce. The healing of his stump took almost a year due to complications. He recently got his prosthetic and he was sent home basically to figure it out on his own. Are there any links that you can refer me to that offer tips on how to learn how to walk properly on his prosthetic? I want all you readers to know just how unbelievably fortunate we are living in this country. Let us not be indifferent to the suffering that our neighbors go through in third world countries, through no fault of their own but rather due to the corruption in there government leaders. Keep up the amazing work Miss Amputee OT!

[@paulalld]

I am. Recent amputee ( May 2018) I find all of your videos most helpful. My residual limb is changing super fast and yor explanations of all this change is most helpful in understanding the processes i can expect. Heretofore I have been reluctant to contact my prosthetist. I will now not be bashful about calling for an appointment.

[@lsample69]

THANKS! I have had two friends in my 62 yrs that had prosthesis, one birth defect & one auto pedestrian accident. I've learned a great deal about what they go thru by watching your vids. Thanks again very much. And my you continue to have good luck with it.

[@themightylex]

Thanks for the video. My brother is a recent, below the knee, amputee. We are looking forward to getting his first prosthetic.

[@TheSkipper1921]

I was amped 1 year ago next week.Same leg same BTK.I've been through 2 sockets already. I have the same liner as you but my leg is only on by pure suction and liner that rolls up my leg.I don't have the ratcheting gear you do. I can walk 5 miles, ride my bike, jog, and pretty much am more active than I was before. I've lost 40lbs SINCE my amp so I have problems with leg volume (shrinking) and I wear socks that get thicker plys as the day goes on. I'm gonna need another socket soon! GOOD LUCK!

[@heleroos8707]

Thanx, you have taught me so much! I am going to introduce all my future amputee patients to your channel.

[@escobarito3]

Hey, they "A"- sign! Cool to see that. My daughter's 10 and she's got her first prosth. leg today - I will only see it tomorrow, and she told me on the phone its a "SURPRISE! (but we don't need to renew the wheelchair hire)!" Been following your videos - well done and Thank you!

[@Ashley-ns6tp]

Thank you for putting this video together it shows that a lot people lose limbs

[@aceofblue]

I've watched all of your videos after seeing your Lego video reposted on The Mary Sue, and I really admire your courage, strength, and desire to educate! It's been awesome learning about everything you've posted so far, and I really appreciate the time you've taken to make your videos. I find it fascinating that there's technology available that lets you do whatever you want, no holds barred. Keep on being awesome!

[@marki3b0y]

Thanks so much for posting this Cristina, I'm a recent BKA and I haven't got a clue how any of this stuff works, other than my prosthetist says he has some cool equipment lined up for me.

[@franciscofigueroa5534]

Christina keep doing these videos very informative. Extremely positive and uplifting that nothing is impossible and out of reach. Will definitely inform people with amputations to watch or follow.

[@emf1111]

great video, thank you very much for showing everything I wanted to know 18 months ago after I became an amputee. we need this kind of information.

[@310sut]

You are smart, beautiful and psycologically highly strong. If this happened to me I don't have any idea how I would keep living. Maybe those who are in this same situation will fell better watching your journey. You've earned my admiration. Good luck.

[@211teitake]

Christina, I'd like you to look into prosthetic leg created by Ken Endo at The Sony Computer Science Laboratories. He used to be at MIT Media Lab.

[@rickertydickerty9858]

glad you have a leg that gives you such freedom

[@luke27luis]

I have seen all your videos and I have to say I admire you. It amazes me how strong you are, and I'm sure your videos are a huge source of strength for other people out there. Luckily I'm not an amputee, but your videos have taught me that it wouldn't be the end of the world if I were one. Just wanted to say that, best of wishes from Spain :)

[@JimmyBoots1986]

That foot design is genius. Never seen a prosthetic up close before.

[@ortofach]

profesjonalnie pokazana prezentacja i działanie protezy ekstra

[@CHARLIETWW]

You are great speaker and can also be a great and beautiful model for such products. That might be an multi-million dollar career.

[@jonathanpotts404]

Your videos are very well done and you explain everything very clearly. You must be a great OT and I bet your clients love you. You could have your own show on a network like TLC or something.

[@laupoming]

it's good to hear you got back to work. it seems pretty fast. how long exactly you got hurted and got back to work? i feel it so amazing that could take such amputation matter as an easy task so far.

[@apreciousbasketcase7157]

i'm writing a story and i would just like to say that this has been really informative and helpful! thank you so much! hopefully i can accurately represent amputees in the story and i will definitely be checking out your who channel for more info :D

[@keyemaster]

Wow! I used to be a PT and this is worlds away from what we were doing then. I first caught your Lego experiment, but now I'm a subscriber. I'm amazed. if you don't mind telling, how many times a day do you have to take it off and for how long. I've only worked with a few amputees. I spent most of my time in the modality area and when I did get out it was hip and knee replacements as far as the eye could see.

[@markdraeger4721]

Hey I just found out my prosthetist knows your prosthetist I live in wisconsin his name is Dr. Ryan just thought it was cool I hope to get mine in the next couple weeks I cant wait to get up and walk again its been a long six months! thanks for the vids keep them coming

[@AmputeeBiker216]

Thanks for the video. i have been looking at the Freedom Innovations line and was kind of settled on the renegade AT. This helped a lot.

[@erictaylor5462]

You are correct about adjustments. My stump is quite a lot thinner and shorter than yours (my tibia was removed at the knee and the fibia was cut where the bone became defective). I only need to get a few adjustments after I get a new leg then it's all good until the leg wears out, unless I gain or lose a lot of weight.

[@JessieCochran37]

Fantastisch Video! Do all amputees need socks with the liners? How does/why does your leg change volume throughout the day? Does it happen to everyone?

[@TheBlackSheCat]

Wow! This was so freaking informative, I have NO words! Thanks so much for sharing with us!

[@cherylroberts1668]

thanks for such nice videos .i am going to probably have a ankle and foot amputation in a few months, its a bit scary,but you make it seem a lot more simple to put it on and take it off. thanks again for your time and how difficult is it to wear a dress or also a pair of jeans?

[@AmputeeOT]

A dress is no problem, but jeans are a little weird, see: AmputeeOT: Putting on pants with a Prosthetic

[@MrAzrancher]

I have a above knee leg amputation. After the amputation I wore shorts and hiking boots to transition into my prosthetic, the shorts just allow ease in on/off adjustment. Once comfortable I now wear jeans again. Your regular pants/jeans should slide right over your prosthetic and donning shoes is no different than normal. I wear cowboy boots and once adjusted I modified my boot with a inside zipper to allow pulling it on the prosthetic foot. But you should have no issues with your clothing, in many ways my prosthetic is easier to deal with than my original leg. Good Luck!!

[@johnlewis1312]

Of course you can! However, quite how depends on your level of amputation and whether left or right. I' m a below the knee left leg amputee which means I can drive an automatic transmission but not a manual transmission as I can't operate the clutch! If my prosthetic becomes uncomfortable whilst driving I can remove it and drive left legless - I'm just waiting for a traffic cop to demand "Just step out of the car, Sir" and see his reaction when I refuse!

[@fernandapereira4643]

Very interesting this system of fixing your dentures do not know. It should be pretty safe and comfortable to use?

[@bwelles5983]

Very informative! Thanks for being so open and brave.

[@johnnaskalski1295]

Thank you for this very well done explanation. Very much appreciated.

[@kevinnelson66]

I'm not an amputee, although I use a cane due to balance issues. Long story about that which I'd rather not get into. I enjoy your positive attitude in this video. Hope everything is going good for you.

[@AmputeeOT]

Yes, Freedom Innovations makes a "Freestyle" foot that you can use for swimming. It has two modes: walking mode where it is at a 90 degree angle and free mode where it plantarflexes like a foot when you're swimming.

[@ledbetter17p]

love watching your videos found you on youtube because of chris pirillo talking about your lego leg build . I do have a question though when having the prosthetic leg on does it affect your balance at all and how long did it take you to get use to walking on it ?

[@ninadowling3046]

Is the Renegade foot a lot more expensive? I think my prosthetic man has underestimated me. When he saw 60 yr. old I think he gave me a very stiff leg that someone would wear who wasn't very active. But I felt better and got the hang of things and started to do more of the things I used to. I can't even run slow or turn quickly. I can't play with my dogs or grandkids or participate in the fun active way I did before. NOT even close! What should I do?

[@inconspicuousegg8027]

Thanks for the video. My friend got one of these and she didn't know how to use it to its full use.

[@spezifeet]

i like what you do and how you Show your leg its great how you accept it ! and how open you Show everthing and you walk in a sandal on your leg cool!!!!!!!

[@AmputeeOT]

Yes, the sockets are custom for each person and the feet are size and weight specific.

[@Sophia-lb8np]

Hi Christina, I love your channel and this video! I've been wondering something about prosthetic legs. If you take off the foot shell and the other parts, would it be possible to walk with just the 'skeleton' of the fake foot, of would it break?

[@KellyMacdonaldEdinburgh]

I had a transtibial amputation 8 months ago. My prosthetist cast my prosthetic and has told me I will have to have more casts taken until my stump is at its smallest. There are no valves to suck out air on mine, and no liner at the top. I have what I call a flower pot which I have to put my stump into. I then have to add socks to this then I squeeze the flower pot into my prosthetic. As you can imagine my prosthetic looks really thick as there are two components to it. I despair ! Also I have no flex at the bottom ( no ankle ) and my foot has little spring in it either. It is made out of some kind of hard plastic. I have to wear up to four socks. I also saw your video of when you first walked. Yoiur other prosthetic looks different than this one. I live in Scotland and had mine done under our NHS, which means I didn't have to pay. Can you please let me know who manufactured yours and was it expensive ? Thank you .... Kelly

[@amitneotia1981]

Very Very informative. How much does it cost??

[@battlesat6]

I knew it! Me Too. I believe we had Mr. Kasey together. I am sorry about what happened to your leg. But I love that you seem to be making the best out of a bad situation.

[@JannaVervecken]

that explains something :), have heard about it during my studies, but haven't had a patient with that condition yet (I'm an occupational therapist and orthopedic technician)

[@SuzukiC41]

Saw that as well. Made my day :D If I may ask, why do you have it on your leg rather than somewhere else and why did you choose to put it on the prosthetic?

[@MrSLaKoNe1]

i have a question, whereabouts on your residual limb is the pressure when you are wearing your prosthetic, is it right on the bottom where the wound is, or are you supported under your knee?

[@sandrasteiner8374]

This was such a cool video. Thank you for explaining and putting it together.

[@idadho]

Christina, How tall are you that you need a low profile foot? Has your prosthetist told you about the Coyote basalt fiber rather than carbon for your next socket? It is supposed to have a bit of flex that many like. My wife will be getting her prosthetic at Coyote P&O. We look forward to working with Dale and his staff.

[@woodstoney]

Nicely explained!

[@thetvdiva]

I can't quite tell, but it doesn't look like you have one of those pivot plates at the base of your socket. I know you've mentioned uneven surfaces giving you trouble. Have you considered a pivot plate doohickey? I got my first one ever just a couple years ago, and the response (and relief) is pretty amazing. After almost 40 years walking without one... ugh, I can't imagine going back.

[@TakeshiKeiken]

Love the design on the side of your leg and your necklace! Sorry I just picked up on those and all I could think is that you're epic upon being epic.

[@zonalklism]

I have a question. Why did you choose that one over the Variflex? You said you chose yours because it had the split toe. However, I know the Variflex does as well. Is it because of the clearance issue? I am a bk amputee. I use and *love* the XC Rotate.

[@MorRobots]

Your foot shell looks "off the shelf", was it based off of your right foot? if not have efforts been made to use 3d scans to render and then mirror your other foot?

[@magnamaniac]

It is already possible to design the socket-shape by computer (do as search by "cad-cam prosthesis), I did it on my previous job. But there is still a lot of "feel" needed to where and how exactly change the shape of the socket. So really automated is not possible or at least not in the near future.

[@AmputeeOT]

No and no. I don't have a split foot footshell, and the foot only works with 3/8" heels, though I am hoping to get a second prosthetic foot with an adjustable heel.

[@AmputeeOT]

It does affect my balance! Try to balance on one foot and then imagine if you're unable to move your ankle, how much harder it would be. It took me about 3 or 4 days to get the basics down but I am still working on walking without any kind of limp.

[@barryd.thomassr.9156]

Really liked you video, Your explanations were very Straight foward and not Cluttered up with Techno-babble. After reading the introduction , You seem very comfortable with talking about that subject. Is that also part of your job? Thank You for your Time and Effort

[@wheelz271]

why does your sock have a hole in the bottom??? And why did you pick on atom to be the picture on the outside of the leg? and i love the anklet :)

[@volz519]

Does you stump hurt at all from walking in a prosthetic? Are you able to walk the same distance as you were before the amputation?

[@AmputeeOT]

Yes and when it's not hurting, yes.

[@DennisCaunce]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing...

[@SuzukiC41]

Have you done or thought about doing a Q&A video?

[@AmputeeOT]

My insurance company covers my prosthetics, though I do have a yearly deductible. and, I switched to a Coyote lock because my stump got very irritated while using the pinlock system because the umbrella (the thing the pin is attached to) irritated my stump.

[@AmputeeOT]

I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. It's a connective tissue disorder that causes joint laxity, among other things.

[@VictorCulver]

You are sooo cool. Thanks for doing thiese videos. Good job.

[@Sergey4e]

You brave, clever and amazing girl! Health and good luck to you!

[@AmputeeOT]

Definitive meaning, "not a test one". The other sockets were to test fit and allow my leg to go through the rapid shrinking process without having to chuck expensive carbon fiber sockets in the closet because I shrunk out of them. Regarding the feet... true! I have a video planned for that. Actually probably multiple videos!

[@entropy156]

Ok...here's a question totally unrelated to the content of the video. I noticed the jewelry. Do you have hypermobility in your fingers from EDS?

[@BrettCaton]

It all seems very expensive and complicated. I wonder how feasible it is in the future to at least do the 3D scanning on site, and send the data to a printer? Just wondering how much human work is required to design the limb, and whether it could be automated.

[@armstrn]

Hi from Australia :) how often throughout the day do you have to adjust the fit of the leg?

[@philipjschmauss]

Hay amputeeOt. Im glad to see your getting along well. Im a amputee also just like you.:) Except its my right foot. I have been since early 2008.:) Keep up the good work!!!:)

[@annetteslife]

Can you wear whatever shoe you want or do you have to wear a specific type of shoe?

[@gabesstarwarscollection]

I love prosthetic engineering, have thought about it before as a profession, but I don't think I would really enjoy it after many years.

[@AjayMathurNC]

I m also the one of bk amputee. good video

[@AMMDawaaz]

Very info video... thanks for sharing

[@Skullord222]

Hi ! I hope my question hasn't been already answered but, Is it important for you that your prosthetic look like a foot, i mean, if there was a model with the same characteristic & quality but, with another design, could you wear it ? (sorry is any grammatical issues)

[@51618756]

You are a definite warrior!

[@mikewarner6128]

Hello Christina, I am a new bk amputee, I will be looking for a prosthetic in January. I like the one you have. Can you give me more info on it, cost etc. I am on Medicare 68.would they cover one like yours, or part of it. If not what is cost. Also, is this same type like veterans get, because I can go though VA also. I currently live in Thailand. Please let me know. Thank you

[@Mini180]

when your residual limb shrinks would you need to buy a new liner to make it fit properly or is it possible to adjust the current one?

[@leg1less]

Mini180 You will be supplied a number of socks that come in different ply's. They come in 1, 3 and 5 play and all you do is just add more ply throughout the day which adds more volume to your residual limb

[@sadienave5665]

I have the same foot but I do not have a valve or my in its suction cup system. I also don't have the carbon fibre plate you have inside your foot. Am I missing somethings?

[@rickseiden1]

Two questions for you. Are you back to work yet? Do you think that your situation will/does make you able to connect more with your patients? Thanks! PS: You should post some of your bloopers. Blooper reels are always fun!

[@lauroenriquemartinez785]

Hi pretty ! how much is the cost of a prosthesis like that ? (including the linners with waves). I am new to this (one mounth) and i m from mexico. Regards.

[@battlesat6]

I live in STL too. You look really familiar where did you go to high school?

[@levibuscus1200]

What was it like the first time you looked at your amputated leg after it was removed?

[@AmputeeOT]

Yep, I'm at work and yes, I think it does make it much easier to connect with people.

[@glamoroushouse23]

Hi christina..next week im going for bka procedure due to my AVM. Now i had start checking out the prosthetic leg. May i know how much is this carbon fiber prosthetic? Tq :)

[@rommeltornalejo5818]

Maam you are branch in the Phelippines

[@AmputeeOT]

Yes, it's even approved for saltwater and I went swimming with it yesterday!

[@PurrincessDiana]

Can you use the foot for swimming?

[@steveimperial7760]

Another great show keep up the good work girly and I’ll /we will keep coming back.

[@congerscott6064]

Great video, thank you 👍🏆.

[@jdzencelowcz]

I'm glad I watched this right after watching the "washing" vid, I was gonna ask what that bar thing on the sock was, my new question is: can U tell which kids in your neighborhood R fans of the "How to Train Your Dragon" franchise 'cause they call U "Ms Hiccup"? (FYI, he lost his left foot as well & has a similar prosthesis)

[@tamfang]

What does "definitive" mean in this context? It strikes me that you've said quite a lot about sockets and liners and socks (oh my!), but almost nothing about differences among the feet themselves.

[@deandeguzman4483]

how can we get one, how much are they , pls...

[@AmputeeOT]

Nope, because most of the weight is in the foot part. But the difference probably influences my gait somehow I am sure.

[@robinslikeworms]

Are you allowed to paint the nails on the prosthetic foot? :o

[@kimwinqvist1904]

DUDE why all guys who has amputated leg are allways so cool

[@pawkrafts4219]

hey my name is Olly and I am a right side Ak amputee and I am look to a freedom innovation leg< and since you probably know this stuff better than i do, I do a lot of snow baording, do know if the all terrain could be good for that or should I ask my doctor?

[@billbrunsell3052]

Olly in Brazil www.biodaptinc.com/

[@AmputeeOT]

An ankle that moves? You mean a powered ankle? I don't have enough room at the bottom. They are all too tall for me. I didn't choose a vacuum suspension system because I don't like the sleeve you have you wear over your prosthetic.

[@Ka0145]

Good evening good morning good afternoon I just had my leg amputated below the knee and I'm worried about all the things that I have to go through even though I'm strong enough to go through them I still worry about it how do you get over that opinion of yes or no