Making more possible…..
upper limb prosthetics
Prosthetics in Inter-disciplinary Rehabilitation Seminar; Another Great Success
On 27th November 2015 Proactive Prosthetics hosted their 6th educational seminar for associated professions.
Proceeds from the seminar were donated to Sarcoma UK. Richard Whitehead MBE, patron of the charity, accepted a cheque for £2,000 on behalf of the charity and talked about his involvement helping others to realise their abilities whilst facing such a devastating disease.
Professor Saeed Zahedi OBE spoke about the new generation prosthetics including the development of microprocessor joint control and the first integrated limb system. Saeed is profoundly knowledgeable and a great communicator, leaving the audience equipped with an advanced understanding of prosthetic technology and energy use and storage.
Pam Barsby, physiotherapist, gave a practical demonstration of gait training in prosthetics, and essential part of learning to walk again.
Stef Reid inspired everyone with a very personal, motivational talk about the role sport can play in rehabilitation; from the early days as a teenager, coming to terms with her loss, to meeting her husband and winning paralympic medals.
A panel discussion chaired by William Latimer-Sayer allowed questions from the audience to be addressed by the three speakers. A lively and interesting discussion!
Interactive sessions in the clinic followed lunch. Stef Reid demonstrated her running blade with plenty of time for Q&As from the spellbound delegates. Pam Barsby and Jane Hunter (prosthetist) gave an insight and practical demonstration of the programming of a microprocessor knee while Christophe Cointet held a session prosthetic alignment.
Professor Michael Saleh discussed the key aspects of traumatic amputation surgery including the importance of considering future prosthetic fitting.
Richard Nieveen presented the most critical part of prosthetic fitting; socket comfort including key components and current trends in fitting.
Last but not least, Alyson Ballard gave a practical talk about the preparation for the rehabilitation of the prosthetic patient.
The final panel discussion was ably chaired by Anna Wiseman.
Here are just some of the feedback comments received:
‘A very interesting and useful day.”The whole day was very well put together and organised.’
‘It was great to see the process from start to finish.’
‘Very enjoyable informative day.’
‘Good to have time to review practice.’
‘Great session by Stef Reid; so inspiring.’
‘Very informative particularly around energy consumption.’
Proactive Prosthetics – Qualified Bike Fitters
Christophe Cointet, prosthetist, has successfully completed the bike fitting course at Bristol University Sports Centre.
The course was taught by Andy Sexton of Bike Science who, for those of you in the know, is one of the most experienced bike fitters in the country; fitting many of the UKs professionals and high level non-professionals riders alike.
Christophe is now qualified to perform a basic bike fit to help with posture ensuring a “safe” and comfortable riding position. Thanks to this training and personal experience in cycling Christophe is able to explain the basics behind a bike fit and then give hands on advice looking at body angles and adjust the bike in order to optimise a riders position and comfort. He will also look at what adjustments to make and where, for example to compensate for a leg length discrepancy.
For more information please contact:
clinic@proactiveprosthetics.co.uk
01252 702500
Sophie Kamlish selected to go to World Championships in Doha
Stef Reid becomes first British amputee on London Fashion Week catwalk
Paralympic star Stefanie Reid swapped her running gear for high fashion to become the first ever British amputee to grace the catwalk at London Fashion Week.
The 30-year-old athlete made history by strutting her stuff at the Fashion International event, held in the glamorous setting of the Charing Cross Hotel, in The Strand, at the weekend.
Stefanie, who’s prosthetic leg was make by Richard Nieveen at Proactive Prosthetics and embellished by Sophie De Oliveira de Barata at The Alternative Limb Project, was chosen to model clothes by designer Lenie Boya.
She said: “I was so excited to walk for Lenie. I don’t look like your standard runway model, but I think that is the point.”
See this clip from BT Sport and her BBC Breakfast interview
Proactive Prosthetics are first to fit UK patient with innovative knee
Geoff Blower becomes the first UK based patient to be fitted with new computer-controlled prosthetic leg allowing him to get back to his full life
Geoff Blower, from Rayleigh, Essex, had been visiting friends and was on his motorcycle travelling home as he had done so many times before, when a car collided with him resulting in the loss of his right leg.
The former motorcycle racer, 76, sustained serious injuries leading to his right leg being amputated above the knee.
Geoff has been through a period of rehabilitation with Richard Nieveen’s team at Proactive Prosthetics over the last 6 months to get him back to a level where he can enjoy his independence.
An important part of Geoff’s lifestyle is his garden where he grows his own vegetables. “I have two children and three grandchildren and thanks to the help of all the lovely people that have cared for me, I can now spend time with them out and about”, said Geoff.
Geoff now has the new Kenevo knee in his prosthesis which was designed and fitted by Proactive Prosthetics. The fitting of the prosthesis by Geoff’s prosthetist Mr Christophe Cointet was supported with physiotherapy teaching Geoff to use it safely and confidently.
“The significant gains with the knee are the levels of safety which gives the patient a greater level of confidence” said Richard Nieveen, Clinic Director, Proactive Prosthetics. “We are very pleased with what Geoff has achieved, considering his amputation was only a year ago. We expect that he will continue to increase his mobility and activities and the versatility of the Kenevo allows us to adjust settings according to Geoff’s progress in his rehabilitation. At this stage in his treatment the biggest difference we can make is improving confidence and to send him away feeling comfortable.”
“Since being fitted with the new knee, my confidence and overall mobility has increased” said Geoff. “After my accident, I felt a sense of sadness and loss, but remembered reading about Douglas Bader who was marooned without his prosthetic legs after ejecting from his aircraft over enemy territory during the Second World War. This gave me hope that I could survive what had happened and I look forward to getting on with my life”.
The Kenevo has five revolutionary functions which are permanently activated. The knee offers enhanced safety at all times and reduces the risk of falling; controlled support for sitting down and standing up; a bespoke wheelchair feature and new technology for standing still. In addition to these functions, the knee can be further tailored to the individual and offers three main ‘pre-selected’ modes designed to suit the lifestyle, mobility and needs of the individual. These modes can be changed and adapted as required in line with mobility improvement or decline.