Questions for Below knee Amputees

[Wallhanger54]

I am new to the site as well as a new RBK amp. I was wondering if I could talk to another Bk concerning some hunting options. Examples boots, climbing treestands, waders, thing along those lines. I would like to get back in the woods. And it sure would be nice to learn from anothers experiences rather that going through the trial and error that I have been doing.

Thanks
Todd

[jeh7mmmag]

Talk to Redhawk on this board. He is bk amp
James

[RedHawk]

Hey Todd http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-faces-toast-beers.gif

Welcome to the fire...After 25 years of being an amputee...I have made alot of adjustments with different systems and learned lots of lessons along the way http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif

The hardest part sometimes is adjusting to different heel heights...sometimes its a matter of just sucking it up and going for it...of course i pay for it later http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hair-raisin-blue.gif


How long have you been an amputee...how old are ya..where do ya live..what kind of system do you have now???? ( http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-cool-shades-down.gif JEEZ ..WHATS WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-cool-shades-down.gif )

Heres a tip that works with all systems ...when wearing rubber boots or waders ...put a heavy duty plastic bag...like a gallon size baggie or bigger.. on your foot...your boot will slide off and on alot easier http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif

Lets keep talkin ...this is what this site is for http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif

Hey James ...whats up.....are ya readyto get her done http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-clappin-yellow.gif

[Wallhanger54]

Hey Redhawk,

I live in Muskegon, MI. We are about half way up the state on the shores of lake Michigan. I am 35yrs old. My hobbies are motorcycles (which was a learning experience with the prosthetic), Salmon fishing on lake Michigan, camping, and Archery (shooting 3D competitions and hunting).

My amputation was done 5/03. Went through allot of problems with healing so didn&#39;t start walking without crutches until March of this year. I am on my third socket and need to get the fourth going since I am now wearing 18 plys of socks. I have a sach foot which is pretty much a block of wood with a rubber foot on it. The foot has been my biggest problem. Since the ankle doesn&#39;t move it makes it pretty difficult to get into most boots. That and a size 15 limit my choices. So far I have just been wearing hiking style boots but its getting down in the twenties here so gets a little cold sitting out in the woods. But at least its only one cold foot.

As for getting around in the woods I am not doing to bad. First couple times out I hit the dirt due to the terrain and not being able to feel my foot wrapped around twigs and things. I bought a climbing treestand and I can get up in the tree pretty well with it for bow hunting. Bought a couple climbing sticks as well but haven&#39;t tried them yet. Guess still not confident enough for that.

I will have to try the bag trick. What about rubber knee boots, is their even a chance? What type of foot do you have or recommend? Are you able to use waders?

Thanks
Todd

[RedHawk]

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif Hey Todd..

Michigan..full blood Yankee http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-cool-shades-down.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-cool-shades-down.gif ???

Just kidden....natural reaction from a deep south southern boy http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif

So it looks like your a newbie...not a bad thing...been there done that http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif

First off..A big Texas salute to ya for hangin in there and not givin up http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif

I hate crutches http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/afraid_face.gif ...

18 plys....still shrinkin...I guess http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hair-raisin-blue.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hair-raisin-blue.gif
Hang in there it will get better http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-clappin-yellow.gif

Sach foot...broke alot of those...till I went to the flex foot...right now I am in a flex walk...and so far so good http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif

One thing about havin one foot is when you buy socks(insulated high dollar ones ..you can get twice the effect http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif )

Yep...I have tripped so many times on rough terrain, logs ,sticks and even leaves sometimes http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hair-raisin-blue.gif ...my buddies used to go into convulsions ...thinkin I was hurt...untill I would get up laughin http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-gunfighter-yellow.gif

Rubber boots...yep ...the bag thing works ...just be carefull you don&#39;t brake the bag going in http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-cool-shades-down.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-cool-shades-down.gif You just have to learn to work it!!!

Waders are the same way...but it can depend on the system you have to keep your leg on...nothing like being in freezing water and you pull your leg off &#39;cause its stuck in the mud http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-far-sdie-guy-yellin.gif

What kind of socket do you have...I have learned that can make all the difference in the world...how short is your stump....not getting personal...just trying to help http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-faces-toast-beers.gif

There are no ankles to move with us...something we have to deal with.... Its hard to realize how perfect God created the human body ...till we have to depend on man to make something in place of what God created....but its all doable if we keep a positive attitude http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif

Do you get a chance to talk to other amputees???

[Wallhanger54]

No problem not the first time I have been called a Yankee. Lived in Biloxi, MS for a few years working on shrimp boats. But I think it was more like Dam Yankee. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif

So far I have only broke the foot off once. Luckily I was just leaving the house and it broke while I was still in the garage. That worries the heck out of me. I travel allot for work and its always in the back of my mind. It would suck to be in another country had have it break. Although I wouldn&#39;t mind see the looks on peoples faces if it broke off walking through the mall. Pop and next thing you see is a foot sliding across the floor. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hair-raisin-blue.gif

The leg has been shrinking quite a bit. But I can&#39;t see where it can shrink much more. Although I will say I am not real happy with the way the sockets have been made so far. With my current leg I started off at 8 ply. I am going to be a much less tolerate with the next socket.

My stump is 10 1/2 inches. I had the etrl procedure done on Oklahoma. Or should I say tried to have it done. The tibia and fibula didn&#39;t fuse together like they should have so I get the nice feeling of bones rubbing together sometimes. Also have a spur growing off the back of the Fibula. So I get to look forward to a revision in the near future. Still haven&#39;t decided if I am going to go have the ertl redone or just have the spur removed.

The socket I have now is just suction type with a sleeve. I am not real impressed with the sleeves so far. The silicone ones I have been using stretch out within a few weeks then just fall down. The last trip to the pros I had him get me a old rubber type sleeve. Nothing I think I would wear in the summer because of how bad you sweat but it hasn&#39;t stretched much. When I have the sleeve on, my leg rubs in the socket so I don&#39;t even pull it up. I had a pin before this but it wasn&#39;t very comfortable.

No I don&#39;t know any amputees. It would be nice. Especially with things like sockets and feet things like that. My pros is a nice guy and will work with me. But don&#39;t feel like he is on the cutting edge of equipment.

[bigkentk]

Hey Wallhanger. I guess i can step into this one . I am a rbk ,lbk and a rbe.

Just wondering who was making your legs for you.? As far as ankles se if you can get your prost. to let you try out stuff from Endolite . They have a multiflex ankle that is more flexable for the user .They even have feet that flex and even shaped the foot to have toes on it .
As far as boots i use boots made by Rocky because they are the lightest out there that i know of.
I use the bag trick when i have to put my lpants on over my legs it really helps.

Guess all i can say is that what works for me might not be good for you. bigkentk

[spectr17]

Welcome to the forum Wallhanger54 http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-wave-hello-yellow.gif

[Wallhanger54]

Hi BigKentk .......... My sockets are made by a local hospital. My Pros just takes the measurements and sends it to them to make the socket.

Spectr17....... Thanks for the welcome

[RedHawk]

First off...I want to thank Jessies for a great site that Challenged Outdoorsmen can discuss things we have in common...The outdoors and being Physically Challenged http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-faces-toast-beers.gif

Wallhanger54....you may be surprised about how much shrinkage can occur over time....of course there is always some changes from time to time...theres lots of stress going on with just daily walking http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hair-raisin-blue.gif

Its all different with each individual...as bigkentk said ...what works for one might not work for another...BUT WITH SAID http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-wow-eyes-yellow.gif ...HERES MY THOUGHTS..

One thing I have seenand talking with others is if a socket is being made by a pros...then sent off somewhere...it never seems to fit right ...or there are alwasy lots of adjustments...is there a place near you that does in house work...maybe one guy or a team has hands on work with your siuation from start to finish??

It does seem to make a difference http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-cool-shades-down.gif

I have the pump system with vacum and the wear a sleeve to keep the vacum holding the leg on...works great but the sleeves are not durable at all...I have been wearing this system for a month and I am on my 3rd sleeve http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hair-raisin-blue.gif

I will sent you the name of all it as soon as I remember http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif

I&#39;m with you on all the thick ply socks...some of that is because of the shrinkage(at least that what the pros has told me in the past ...but...I think sometimes its cause they have Need to build more sockets later...sounds kinda of confussing to me ...build one with a one ply first...then add socks..not the other way around http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-laugh-point-up-yellow.gif

I guess that might be too simple http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-rolleyes-green.gif

Yep...seems like some of these pros are behind on times...but I think its cause of money...these guys have lots of paper work to keep up with and the more complicated or new something is to the market...insurance and workers comp makes it hard on them...Just my observations http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-wnk-yellow.gif

I like my legs to be as simple as possible because of mechanical breakdowns...I have broken just about everything I have worn at one time or another http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-wow-eyes-yellow.gif
The moving parts..the more something is going to break ....

I got your e-mail and will respond shortly with the name of the system I am wearing now...e-mail me anytime http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif

[bigkentk]

Hey Wallhanger , Have you head anything about tha IAP in Lansing Mi. They do all the sockets and fitting in ona place . I had apair made there a few yaers ago. Tjhose guys seem to know their stuff. Ther only problem i had going there it is one heck of a drive for me. bigkentk