SETTING THE PACE
Utahn is Miles Ahead With Microprocessor-controlled C-Leg

Sixty-five-year-old electrical engineer Tom never imagined one day he'd be relying so heavily on the science of his chosen profession. But then, he also never imagined he'd be mowed down by a garbage truck.

It was before dawn one morning when Tom, out for his usual jog, was hit by a truck making rounds in his neighborhood. His right leg was crushed, but doctors managed to save it. For the next several months, Tom, a retired Air Force captain, fought a valiant battle with bone infections. Eleven surgeries later the infection won and the leg was amputated above the knee.

That was 1999. For the next three years Tom adjusted to life with an artificial limb. "I was grateful to have a prosthesis," he says, "but it certainly made life a challenge."

For one thing, it was sometimes dangerous. "I couldn't mow the lawn without falling down at least once or twice," he said

In 2002, SPOT prosthetist Jim Liston suggested Tom try the new C-LegŪ by Otto Bock. It took little to convince the retired engineer to give it a try.

"The C-Leg is the world's first fully computer-controlled artificial leg," said Jim. "It's a great system for someone like Tom". Once he learned to trust the leg and knew it wouldn't let him fall, he gained so much more mobility.

The C-Leg is a knee-shin system developed to give the wearer greater stability on varying terrain. Unlike a standard prosthesis, the C-Leg adjusts to different speeds and surfaces to perform more like a natural limb.

According to Otto Bock, the c-leg technology is based on scientific gait analysis and biomechanical studies. The electronic system monitors the amputee's movement 50 times per second to mimic the wearer's walk. It creates a smooth movement of the prosthetic limb, similar to that of the sound leg. It immediately adapts to different walking speeds and provides knee stability the moment it is needed.

"The C-leg can even be programmed for different activities," said Jim. "Using custom software, I can set it for high or low resistance so Tom can pedal a stationary bike one minute and be running on a treadmill the next.."

Tom marvels at the fact that he can walk down stairs with the c-leg. "I used to fall on a regular basis, so the safety is really the most important aspect of this leg," he said. "I feel confident getting around in my garden, going hiking, even riding ATVs."

Tom and Jim did not meet by chance. Before Tom underwent the amputation, he did his homework. "Once I knew I'd be getting an artificial leg, I interviewed every prosthetist in the Salt Lake Valley," he said. "I chose SPOT and I haven't regretted it."

"Once we get a patient, they tend to stick with us," said Jim "I hope it's because they know we keep up with changing technology, and because we won't quit 'til we deliver them the best device possible."

"That's certainly part of why I stay with SPOT," said Tom. "But it's also because I get a real sense that they care. And that counts a lot when you're living with a leg that's not your own."

BACK