From Riverbanks To Campfires—Adjustability Makes All The Difference
I recently took on a two-day canoe trip with my RevoFit® and RevoLock® systems down the River Lahn in Germany, adjusting for every phase of the journey: Tight fit for hauling gear, loose for long sits, and quick off/on—even in a wobbly canoe when needed. And yes, I can confidently say: “An adjustable socket lets me handle whatever the adventure throws at me.”
Don't Let Your Prosthesis Hold You Back
A canoe trip in early summer is a lot of fun and a great experience. At the same time, two days on the river with a night of camping in between can be quite a challenge for above-knee amputees as you will be faced with a wide variety of different situation.
There will be times when you have to carry all your gear - including a heavy canoe - to and from the river. Often over uneven and slippery ground and up and down the river banks. That’s when you want a tight fit of your socket that allows you to have full control over your prosthesis. Here ClickMedical’s RevoFit system is my go-to options.
But once the boat is in the water and you will be sitting for the next few hours - often on hard wooden benches -, you might be interested in a much more comfortable fit. Something that allows you to relax and enjoy the journey. My adjustable socket enables me to do just that.
If the situation allows and if you know you will be sitting for a longer stretch without any portages, you might even want to take the prosthesis off and secure it somewhere in the canoe. If you decide to do this - taking of the prosthesis and stowing it away - it feels good to have a system that allows me to get back into the socket quickly and safely. And to do so even in an unstable environment like a wobbly canoe on choppy waters and without the need to be in a standing position. Here ClickMedical’s RevoLock system comes in handy.
When it’s time to stop and set-up camp, your needs change yet again. First for bringing all your gear ashore. Then for pitching the tent and preparing food. And finally to relax and enjoy a night under the stars.
An active lifestyle often demands that we handle a variety of different situations as they present themselves. And an adjustable socket enables me to do that with ease and confidence. Even if I don’t know which challenging situations my next adventure will present me with.
The Video From The Trip
Post by Bjoern Eser. Bjoern is the founder of and shaker and maker behind The Active Amputee.
Further Reading
Accept, adapt, achieve
Life after amputation may feel like venturing into unknown territory. From learning how to move your new body to researching the costs of activity-specialized prosthetic arms & legs, it is daunting and frustrating to resume an active lifestyle after limb loss. In August 2021, I lost my left leg in an emergency above-knee amputation. I could not fathom what my life would look like post-op. In the hospital, I promised myself to take advantage of every opportunity I came across and to attempt activities outside my comfort zone. I needed to resume living, and for me, that meant returning to activities as soon as possible. "Accept, adapt, achieve" became my new motto. read more
Dealing with volume fluctuations
Here is a problem many active above knee amputees know all too well. A problem that is often overlooked as more and more attention is given to the newest developments around high-tech knees and other exciting advancements in the prosthetic sector. It’s the problem of a proper fit of the socket. It’s the key to using your prosthetic leg to its full potential. And how to deal with fluctuations in the volume of your residual limb - and thus with the fit of your socket. Read more
Cycling to regain my life
Today’s article is all about cycling and how it helped Stephen from South Africa’s wonderful Western Cape to come back after a tragic motorcycle accident. The idea for the interview arose during a chat with Jen from ClickMedical, who mentioned Stephen and his inspiring outdoor adventures and brokered the contact. „Thanks Jen I really appreciate these contacts!“ Here is my interview with Stephen. Enjoy! read more