My New Leg

[Vprbite]

Some people have expressed interest in this so I thought I would share a bit about it. Amputees usually need a new socket every 2 years, especially the first one because there is a lot of shape change and atrophy in the limb. I am fortunate to still be able to pump my calf muscle so I didn't atrophy much and I got almost 4 years out of my socket. But it was no longer fitting well and that causes problems.

So we just finished the process of making me a new leg. It's about 2 months start to finish. First you make a mold of your stump for the liners that go underneath. They get made by a company based out of Germany (with an office in Salt Lake though) called OttoBock. They are silicone type of material that actually acts like a fluid in how it smushes around.

Once the first one arrives, you wear it and make a cast for the socket. The socket is then made out of plastic and fiberglass because it's quick, my prosthetist did it in about 4 hours, and they are cheap because you may need a couple of them. They are heavier and less durable than the final one which is why they are called "check sockets." You wear that for a few weeks, making sure the fit is good but being aware it could break if you were to behave like its the final one. Mine was great and we didn't make a second.

They then make the final socket out of carbon Fiber, and new componentry is attached. The final socket is about 12grand so you can see why insurance wouldn't want them making more than one. All told the leg comes in at about 30grand. I'm VERY fortunate to have good insurance and an amazing prosthetist.

My type is called "elevated vacuum" because it actually creates vacuum in the socket which is how it attaches. It holds on strong enough that if I'm sitting in a chair and you pull on it, the chair will move or I'll come out of the chair before the leg comes off. It's very secure and responsive. Vacuum is created by a pump in the components and pumps every time you take a step to keep vacuum up. If you sit still for a few hours you lose a little bit of vacuum but it comes right back with 2 steps or so.

Here is the old leg. Total weight about 8lbs

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[Vprbite]

And here is the new leg. It has a 6K carbon Fiber which is noticeable stiffer and the new pump and leg are lighter. All told, the leg comes in about 2lbs lighter at 6lbs and is much more responsive.

It's the same foot and pump system that active military gets so I'm in good company. And the piece on the front is about as hard as an ASP baton so it's great for martial arts.

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[Vprbite]

To everyone in the club who has known me through this whole adventure, thank you so much for your support. I wouldn't be doing so well without you.

Thanks for reading. If you have ANY questions please don't hesitate to ask. The only question that offends me is the one you don't ask. So don't worry about a question upsetting me or being offensive or anything like that.

Thanks and have a great new year!

[DEMO MAN]

Very interesting process, I have a friend that lost his left leg. He still drives the hell out of his Viper. How did u lose your leg?

[Vprbite]

Very interesting process, I have a friend that lost his left leg. He still drives the hell out of his Viper. How did u lose your leg?

I was avoiding a minivan that crossed a double yellow and ended up wrapped around a tree in my 02 Viper GTS just over 4 years ago. I drive with a modified clutch pedal that is thicker and wider. 24k miles in 3 years since I started driving again.

[DEMO MAN]

I've read a lot of your posts, I think u even gave me some links for toy Vipers to hand out to the kids at car shows. U got a great attitude in general, really good to see u aren't letting it hold u back on enjoying life. I've had a few surgery's including open heart, nothing as serious as what u experienced but I know I couldn't wait to rejoin the world and get back to enjoying it all again.

[Vprbite]

I've read a lot of your posts, I think u even gave me some links for toy Vipers to hand out to the kids at car shows. U got a great attitude in general, really good to see u aren't letting it hold u back on enjoying life. I've had a few surgery's including open heart, nothing as serious as what u experienced but I know I couldn't wait to rejoin the world and get back to enjoying it all again.

Thanks. Some days are worse than others. But even though I had to go through something bad, I got a pretty cool leg out of it and I met some great people. Overall there is much more good than bad in this whole adventure.

[Vprbite]

Very interesting process, I have a friend that lost his left leg. He still drives the hell out of his Viper. How did u lose your leg?

Can I ask how your friend drives his viper? Totally stock, hand control, modified pedal like I did?

[plumcrazy]

those things always amaze me (the people who have them too)

what is "pump system" about ? does it create vacuum to hold it on ?

[Fatboy 18]

Happy New Year Jeff

[Vipes]

Interesting, thanks for sharing with us. I've always wondered if you still have feeling in your foot from time to time or how often, I mean if your brain is thinking it's still there and creating the illusion of sensation? I've heard of this happening, just wondering how common it is?

[swexlin]

Happy New Year, cool stuff! You have a great attitude towards life - something we should all strive for.

By the way, don't put anything aftermarket on that -wouldn't want the warranty voided........

[DEMO MAN]

Can I ask how your friend drives his viper? Totally stock, hand control, modified pedal like I did?

His Viper has stock petals. He lost his leg below the knee which I assume gives him better control.

[1ststrike]

Impressive looking leg. Glad you can still enjoy your Viper!

[Viper Girl]

Hey Jeff, are those batteries in that pack??

[v10enomous]

Thanks for sharing this... It's very encouraging for me as I've been sporting some carbon fiber myself starting around 6 months ago. Thank God for carbon fiber orthopedic and prosthetic technology. I have a somewhat rare hereditary progressive neuromuscular illness that affects my feet and my hands. My feet are paralyzed now from about 4" above my ankles down. This happened to me over the course of many years but this past year things really went downhill. I also have a severely fractured left hip as a result that's held together with a series of lag bolts and a hinge. I have to say that in addition to the physical effects, I see the world through a different prism now and like you, I've been blessed with great support from all my Viper friends.

So in my situation I need these braces to walk now and even just to stand for any length of time. They essentially keep my feet locked at a 90 degree angle with my legs with very limited flexibility so I pedal with my knees and hips now and I'm actually pretty comfortable with it. Hell I even think I could upshift a motorcycle again although I haven't tried that yet. One thing I know I can't do any longer is operate pedals that are hinged on the floor like in my buddy's Caterham 7. I was kind of hoping that there would be an automatic viper at some point but well you know... So anyway thanks again for posting this because it's very inspirational... Happy New Year !

[Martin]

Wow, that's inspirational - and makes me feel like a whiner for constantly complaining about losing the sensation in my feet and hands due to chemo. Or, that's to say, I either lose all sensation or it feels like I'm grinding shards of glass with my feet and hands... I've been stressing out about getting behind the wheel of the new Viper again and really trying to push it.

How hard do you push the car? Have you learned to overcome the lack of sensitivity and mobility in your leg, or did you dial things back a bit so as to not get into a bad situation. I'm sure it would be a hell of a lot worse if you had lost your right leg - getting to the brake pedal in a panic situation can't be delayed by more than a few milliseconds or you're seriously screwed.

Again, thanks for sharing - makes me feel like I didn't just throw a ton of money out the window for a car that I can't enjoy.

[Vprbite]

those things always amaze me (the people who have them too)

what is "pump system" about ? does it create vacuum to hold it on ?

The pump creates vacuum. Essentially every step. There is a one way valve so you don't create some crazy high amount but the proper amount is a lot. About 20-22 inches Mg. yes, inches. That is what keeps it on so well and makes it so responsive. As I said, it is not coming off. Martial arts, driving, whatever. It would keep the seal under water as well, as this is how they make swim legs for people. Some people have hung from them but ive never seen it. On my back up leg, I don't have the pump (that gray pump on the old leg is 7k dollars for it alone) and I can create vacuum by connecting a mighty vac and manually doing it but I would have to re pump it every few hours, give or take. I never needed a back up leg before though so I doubt I will during this legs life.

A few caveats though. You sort of have to "earn" this kind of system. They have a scale for rating activity levels and I am in the highest level but Medicare or insurance isn't gonna pay for it if you are going to sit in a wheelchair all day. Or, if you were say, a professor and 65 and all you did was walk to your classes you wouldn't need such an intense setup. Also you must be a good candidate for it which means good skin integrity. If a person lost their leg to diabetes or a vascular issue, the skin may not be able to handle a vacuum. I'm VERY fortunate to have a good limb left and we (well my surgeons anyway) worked hard on that.

[Vprbite]

Happy New Year, cool stuff! You have a great attitude towards life - something we should all strive for.

By the way, don't put anything aftermarket on that -wouldn't want the warranty voided........

It actually all does have a warranty. 3 years as I recall.

[Vprbite]

Interesting, thanks for sharing with us. I've always wondered if you still have feeling in your foot from time to time or how often, I mean if your brain is thinking it's still there and creating the illusion of sensation? I've heard of this happening, just wondering how common it is?

I do occasionally get phantom pains, as they are called. I don't get them too often because the surgeons mapped out the nerves before the amputation. I was in the hospital for six weeks as we tried to save the leg, etc, so we had time to do things like that. If the leg was taken in the trauma like chopped off by the car, they would most likely be worse. Sometime I just get phantom "sensations" where I feel like the foot is asleep kinda thing. Occasionally I will get phantom pain where it feels like shoving my foot into hot coals. Thankfully that is rare for me. There are nerve pain medications but they didn't work for me. In fact, I have bad nerve damage in the right leg from the wreck and when that hurts sometimes the none existent leg will hurt in the same way. Actually one of the therapies for phantom pain is called "mirror therapy" where you put a mirror between your legs so you can see the other leg and trick your brain. My right leg was so trashed and scarred up it never worked for me cause I couldn't fool myself I guess. One thing that does help is to imagine myself using the leg. So I imagine myself swimming because it's very sensory rich. I picture the bubbles around my leg and kicking into the water, and that seems to help.

[Vprbite]

His Viper has stock petals. He lost his leg below the knee which I assume gives him better control.

I am below the knee as well. I found with the stock clutch pedal that it was too small and I could miss it. Or I could catch the brake pedal arm if it drifted over a bit, also my heel would dig into the carpet unless I hit it just right. So we designed a pedal that goes all the way to the footwell and has a little wing on it so I don't drift over and is thicker. After 24k miles and no missed shifts, why mess with the formula? But I am interested to try stock again.

That's impressive he does it totally stock. Tell him I said well done.

[Vprbite]

Hey Jeff, are those batteries in that pack??

No, it looks like it in this new one though. Those are for making adjustments to alignment and heel height, things like that.

They do have ankles that have microprocessors in them and sense the ground and make adjustments while you walk but they need charged every day, sometimes more. I regularly am out on fishing trips for days at a time. Plus you can't get them wet. And they can't handle the same amount of weight. So jumping out of the bed of my truck or working out could be too much more them. This foot and ankle can handle more weight than I could ever throw at it and has articulation in 3 axis. The cool part is, in 10 years or so, hey who knows?

[Vprbite]

Thanks for sharing this... It's very encouraging for me as I've been sporting some carbon fiber myself starting around 6 months ago. Thank God for carbon fiber orthopedic and prosthetic technology. I have a somewhat rare hereditary progressive neuromuscular illness that affects my feet and my hands. My feet are paralyzed now from about 4" above my ankles down. This happened to me over the course of many years but this past year things really went downhill. I also have a severely fractured left hip as a result that's held together with a series of lag bolts and a hinge. I have to say that in addition to the physical effects, I see the world through a different prism now and like you, I've been blessed with great support from all my Viper friends.

So in my situation I need these braces to walk now and even just to stand for any length of time. They essentially keep my feet locked at a 90 degree angle with my legs with very limited flexibility so I pedal with my knees and hips now and I'm actually pretty comfortable with it. Hell I even think I could upshift a motorcycle again although I haven't tried that yet. One thing I know I can't do any longer is operate pedals that are hinged on the floor like in my buddy's Caterham 7. I was kind of hoping that there would be an automatic viper at some point but well you know... So anyway thanks again for posting this because it's very inspirational... Happy New Year !

Carbon fiber is a godsend.

You probably can shift the motorcycle cause I could (though I don't ride) and I've seen people with my exact same previous setup do it. Just take your time at first. Since you can drive I assume you still have proprioception so that will help a lot.

We all have our stuff to deal with, ours is just cooler looking than most people's!

[Vprbite]

Wow, that's inspirational - and makes me feel like a whiner for constantly complaining about losing the sensation in my feet and hands due to chemo. Or, that's to say, I either lose all sensation or it feels like I'm grinding shards of glass with my feet and hands... I've been stressing out about getting behind the wheel of the new Viper again and really trying to push it.

How hard do you push the car? Have you learned to overcome the lack of sensitivity and mobility in your leg, or did you dial things back a bit so as to not get into a bad situation. I'm sure it would be a hell of a lot worse if you had lost your right leg - getting to the brake pedal in a panic situation can't be delayed by more than a few milliseconds or you're seriously screwed.

Again, thanks for sharing - makes me feel like I didn't just throw a ton of money out the window for a car that I can't enjoy.

Will the sensation come back? And like I said, we all have our stuff. I'm glad you are here to type about it.

While I don't have any human tissue below about 5" south of my knee, I didn't totally lose proprioception. For 2 reasons. One I learned to use my leg the same as I would my hockey skates when I was a goaltender. They weren't human tissue, but I knew where every inch of those skates were when a puck was coming at me and could butterfly and stop it without banging my skate on the post every time and messing up the edge. Also, when you put pressure on the foot, it comes up the foot and shaft and to the socket and my limb has learned to translate what that feels like to what pressure is acting on the prosthetic. So even barely pushing on the pedal I know it's there. Or I can rest my foot on a bar rail and feel how it's pushing on the foot.

And I have definitely pushed the car, because of the custom pedal. In fact one of my first times on the track after my wreck, I made a joke to the instructor at the end about him not getting in the car with me cause I had ine leg. He didn't even know. I have 100% confidence I'll hit that pedal. We took the dead pedal out so it goes all the way to the footwell. No way I woild ever miss it. In track situations or intense driving I do hover over it though. But that's not too different than someone with a foot would do.

If I had lost my right leg, I'm not sure what I would have done. My truck I feel I could drive wins prosthetic on the right. But the usual solution is to relocate the gas pedal to the other side. There are kits for it. But I'm not totally sure what the solution would have been.

And a Viper is never money out the window. Ever. This is fact.

[Vprbite]

Impressive looking leg. Glad you can still enjoy your Viper!

Thanks! I worked hard on that.

I wanted to drive it as is or with a thicker pedal because of a chip on my shoulder. If I couldn't do it safely though I would have installed a trigger clutch which is a trigger on the gear shift that pulls the the pedal in neumatically. I thought it was kinda cool in its own right. Things worked out though.