New leg

[roadking2]

I'm a left BKA and tomorrow I will get my new leg! I've been an amputee for 16 years and have gone through a bunch of legs, but this time my current leg is REALLY giving me a lot of problems and I can't wait for my new one. For those of you in a similar position, I've gone through the gambit of leg types over the years. I started as most do with a pin. Next up was a vacuum suspension that I loved. Now, I'm getting a suction suspension which is very similar to the vacuum but simpler without the pump. I'm also getting a new foot with a hydraulic ankle. When I tried out the foot, I really liked it. Does anyone have one and what are your thoughts on it? It seems to provide a more natural gait for me and I like the flex of the foot.

 

[Dennis Murawski]

I'm a left BKA

Me too. The vacuum pump raised nasty blisters on my RL, so I'm using a pin lock peg. Strangely, I too will be getting a new socket next week. I had a chance to try the Otto Bock Triton Ankle. Cool, but not covered by my insurance AND, like a cell phone, if it gets wet it's not under warranty. When you ride you get wet. Biom is coming out with a waterproof ankle next year. I keep telling people, "one-legged ain't half-assed."

 

[haddont]

Riding with one leg

I'm a left BKA and tomorrow I will get my new leg! I've been an amputee for 16 years and have gone through a bunch of legs, but this time my current leg is REALLY giving me a lot of problems and I can't wait for my new one. For those of you in a similar position, I've gone through the gambit of leg types over the years. I started as most do with a pin. Next up was a vacuum suspension that I loved. Now, I'm getting a suction suspension which is very similar to the vacuum but simpler without the pump. I'm also getting a new foot with a hydraulic ankle. When I tried out the foot, I really liked it. Does anyone have one and what are your thoughts on it? It seems to provide a more natural gait for me and I like the flex of the foot.

I lost my leg in 2007 and haven't been able to use a prosthesis because my stump is too short on my left side. It tends to try to remove my testicles. I use a Pingel shifter. Works great except the rear end just went out on my trike so I'm trying to find a new one. Anyway, I'm getting that under control.
Mostly I wanted too comment that the rear wheel on your trike looks like a happy alien face. : )
Good luck with the leg and foot and stuff.

 

[roadking2]

Me too. The vacuum pump raised nasty blisters on my RL, so I'm using a pin lock peg. Strangely, I too will be getting a new socket next week. I had a chance to try the Otto Bock Triton Ankle. Cool, but not covered by my insurance AND, like a cell phone, if it gets wet it's not under warranty. When you ride you get wet. Biom is coming out with a waterproof ankle next year. I keep telling people, "one-legged ain't half-assed."

Everything I've had over the years has been better than the pin. I really hated that one. The vacuum was great. My problem was that I developed a bursa on the fib head which in turn gave me a pressure sore. The bursa isn't going away, so it was time to get recast for a socket. The suction works like the vacuum but without the pump. Your leg pistoning into the socket forces the air out a 1 way valve and there you go. The liners I'm using now are better too. Another plus is that I lost a couple pounds of pump weight with the suction. The whole leg is a lot lighter. Mine foot/ankle is a Kinterra and has no electronics like the Otto Bock. Moisture is no problem. I wouldn't go wadding in the ocean with it, but rain and the like won't hurt it. The ankle movement really makes uneven ground, and any hill/slope much easier to negotiate. Was your vacuum the Otto Bock Harmony system or something else?

 

[roadking2]

Take this in stride? I thought it was really funny you used that phrase to a leg amputee. When something like this happens to you ya have a choice. Either learn to live with it and get on with your life the best you can or you sit around and mope and die. My sister-in-laws neighbor lost his leg the same time I did. Since then all he's done is sit on his porch and cry about his lot in life. While he was crying on his porch feeling sorry for himself, I was doing all my therapy and doing everything I could to function as normally as I could. I walk, he sits around and moans. To this day 16 years later he still uses a wheelchair to get around when he isn't busy feeling sorry for himself. I have a family and they don't need me being a burden to them so I like many others get on with it. It isn't fun or normal, but it works good enough for us to function in as normal a manner as possible. We are not disabled, we just do many things a little differently than you do.

 

[Dennis Murawski]

... the rear end just went out on my trike so I'm trying to find a new one.

I just bought a Boss Hoss trike so I will be selling my 2007 Harley FLHT that was converted with a Champion IRS kit. It has a Rekluse auto clutch, LaBriola foot clutch and a Widowmaker tank shifter. It's a good setup for someone with left side issues.

- - - Updated - - -

We are not disabled, we just do many things a little differently than you do.

Yup, just got back from the 75th annual Sturgis rally. I've got over 20,000 miles in the wind since I lost the leg. I tell people the scoot pulls to the right 'cause I'm out of balance. I modified the motto of the French Foreign Legion to, "Ride or die."

 

[roadking2]

I wasn't offended at all. I just thought it was ironically funny. It's all good.

 

[headheaded]

ever since i lost my left leg,i just tell people it's hard to get a leg up in this world. only gotta wear one leg of my chaps now

 

[headheaded]

only need half the socks now and save alot of time on trimming my toenails.

 

[Dennis Murawski]

only need half the socks now and save alot of time on trimming my toenails.

Also, concerns about athletes foot are now in the "rearview mirror."

 

[headheaded]

Also, concerns about athletes foot are now in the "rearview mirror."

only have half the worry now.

 

[SZQ]

Need help

Hi I'm SZQ.
Instead of searching through hundreds of posts maybe you can guide me in the right direction.

I'm a multi cancer survivor 14 yrs., who has recently developed lymph edema on my right side, toes to hip, which throws my balance off enough that when turning/slowing I have tipped over in traffic.
Luckily good ppl have been nearby to help pick it up.

I receive SSDI benefits but not enough to invest in support wheels or trike kit. I even thought of seeing if there are any machine shops near me to make support bars for support wheels.

I just don't have much $ to work with. I NEED to be riding for peace of mind, serenity, contact with my h.p. for continued clean time of 25 yrs.
I have tried contacting the American Cancer Society to find disabled ppl who have adapted bikes to help them ride to vets sites to ptsd groups to news stations.
My brain is tired.

Any suggestions??? Tnx for reading.

 

[Mcmister]

LAKA 2016 Freewheeler

LAKA for decades. Total contact suction socket,C-Leg knee, C-Walk foot

new FW with Pingel Shifter, extended foot rests

only issue is finding neutral

thinking of carrying a telescoping police baton with a eye bolt fastened to the end. It seems very awkward having to clutch with right hand and fiddle with the baton to find neutral but... You gotta do, what you gotta do

As soon as the snow melts, I'm ready to go!

 

[1dn5up]

Give ya lots of credit buddy. Maybe heel and toe set up would help. After downing into first, just kick it gently on the heal side. Just trying to help. Can't imagine what's it like with a prosthesis . Practice, practice, and more practice. You can do it :clapping:

 

[Mcmister]

Give ya lots of credit buddy. Maybe heel and toe set up would help. After downing into first, just kick it gently on the heal side. Just trying to help. Can't imagine what's it like with a prosthesis . Practice, practice, and more practice. You can do it :clapping:

Thanks for the encouragement

 

[roadking2]

Give ya lots of credit buddy. Maybe heel and toe set up would help. After downing into first, just kick it gently on the heal side. Just trying to help. Can't imagine what's it like with a prosthesis . Practice, practice, and more practice. You can do it :clapping:

Heel and toe is what works for me. No mods or extra $$$$ required and it gets the job done. I lift my leg slightly and drop it on either the heel or toe peg and away I go. I did get longer shifter pegs and that helps. I don't have to be as accurate with my leg drop as I need to be with "standard" pegs. The additional fraction of an inch in length made a big difference for me anyways. Sometimes it takes me a try or two to get it into neutral, but on the move up shifting or downshifting is pretty easy. Neutral is sort of half way between gears and sometimes my leg drop is a bit to heavy and before you know it, I'm back in first gear.

 

[Mcmister]

Heel and toe is what works for me. No mods or extra $$$$ required and it gets the job done. I lift my leg slightly and drop it on either the heel or toe peg and away I go. I did get longer shifter pegs and that helps. I don't have to be as accurate with my leg drop as I need to be with "standard" pegs. The additional fraction of an inch in length made a big difference for me anyways. Sometimes it takes me a try or two to get it into neutral, but on the move up shifting or downshifting is pretty easy. Neutral is sort of half way between gears and sometimes my leg drop is a bit to heavy and before you know it, I'm back in first gear.

Thanks, great input!

 

[Dennis Murawski]

Maybe heel and toe set up would help. ... Can't imagine what's it like with a prosthesis.

While I could clumsily lift my prosthetic and hit the heel / toe shifter, there was always some apprehension particularly if I had to do it quickly in traffic. I installed a Widowmaker tank shift kit and for me, it works very well.

 

[roadking2]

While I could clumsily lift my prosthetic and hit the heel / toe shifter, there was always some apprehension particularly if I had to do it quickly in traffic. I installed a Widowmaker tank shift kit and for me, it works very well.

If I had to shift quickly especially in traffic, I'd be more worried about taking my hand off the grips than I would be worried about missing a shift with my foot/leg. Glad your widowmaker works for you, but there is nothing clumsy about the way I lift and drop my foot using the heel/toe. I guess it's easier for me to manipulate my prosthesis than it is for you to manipulate yours. We each have to find our own way. Neither of us uses a Pingle or a Klicktronic, so it's good to see we at least have several options and one of them hopefully can satisfy our needs so we can ride on.

 

[headheaded]

If I had to shift quickly especially in traffic, I'd be more worried about taking my hand off the grips than I would be worried about missing a shift with my foot/leg. Glad your widowmaker works for you, but there is nothing clumsy about the way I lift and drop my foot using the heel/toe. I guess it's easier for me to manipulate my prosthesis than it is for you to manipulate yours. We each have to find our own way. Neither of us uses a Pingle or a Klicktronic, so it's good to see we at least have several options and one of them hopefully can satisfy our needs so we can ride on.

do you still have your knee ? i don't and shifting was just to hard trying to use my leg. i just extended the shifter straight up and reach over and shift it. the widow maker would be my next choice. i wanted to shift it on my own, that's why i went with this setup. we do each find our own way to do things.