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South African runner Oscar Pistorius fell just short of winning a medal at the London 2012 Olympics, but the double amputee did show the world that people with disabilities can achieve greatness in sports. His specially made prosthetic limbs also reflect a growing trend – highly visible in the media among returning soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq – toward more people with amputations displaying their prostheses rather than hiding them with coverings that resemble arms and legs.
The trend will be further highlighted at the 2012 Paralympic Games, taking place in London Aug. 29 through Sept. 9, and where Mr. Pistorius will again compete.
"These are not your grandparents’ prosthetic devices that are available today. They have advanced at such a rapid pace. It’s not only exciting for users of prosthetic devices, but nonamputees are also very interested in the technology – how far it has evolved, and what prosthetic users are capable of doing, whether it be climbing Mount Everest or running in the Olympics with prosthetic limbs," according to Kevin Carroll, vice president of prosthetics at Hanger Orthopedic Group, based in Austin, Tex.*
About 4,200 athletes from 165 countries will compete in the Paralympics, across 503 medal events. Athletes with amputations will be some of the most visually distinct among the Paralympics’ 10 categories of disability: impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of motion, limb deficiency, leg length difference, short stature, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, vision impairment, and intellectual impairment.
"This year, we’re expecting all sorts of records at the Paralympics. There is a greater focus worldwide and countries throughout the world are seeing the importance of supporting athletes in Paralympic events ... I predict many more Pistorius-types are on their way to the Olympics," said Mr. Carroll.
In the Paralympics, athletes using specially designed prosthetic devices –that is, used specifically for the sport and not for everyday use – will be most visible in track and field events. Prosthetic devices are not used in sports such as swimming and sitting volleyball. However, athletes with amputations are using prostheses for a wide range of sports in the real world.
"We are now supplying sport-specific prostheses from early ages all the way up to adults. This includes everything from prostheses made specifically for running, cycling, swimming, mountain climbing, snowboarding, skiing, and more," Mr. Carroll said.
In fact, the emerging technology is so good that some have suggested it may soon allow disabled athletes to outdo their able-bodied counterparts.
Of course, most amputees are not elite athletes. There are approximately 1.7 million people with limb loss in the United States, with another 150,000 who undergo amputations each year. While injured soldiers tend to be the most visible amputees in the media, diabetes is by far the greatest cause of limb loss – more than 80% of all amputations are the result of diabetes. Vascular disease, trauma, and cancer are among the other top causes.
But even increasing numbers of non–athlete amputees have been showcasing their prostheses within the last 10-15 years, with comparable numbers in both the civilian and military populations. As many as 50% of amputees in the United States now choose to display their prostheses, compared with less than 10% among their European counterparts. "This number wasn’t as high in the U.S. 30 years ago. This has evolved over time," Mr. Carroll said.
A realistic-looking limb cover adds to the cost of the working part of the prosthesis itself, but he believes that’s not why we’re seeing more of the latter. "[Amputees who chose to show their prostheses] like to showcase the technology they’re walking around on. This shows they have really accepted their loss. They are not showcasing their prostheses because of the cost, they’re doing it because of pride."
His advice to physicians: "Never say never to patients. We see people who are confined to wheelchairs get up and walk every day. We’re in a whole new era of rehabilitation. We’re very excited about the future."
–Miriam E. Tucker (@MiriamETucker on Twitter)
*CORRECTION 8/30/12: The original sentence misstated the location of Hanger Orthopedic Group. The sentence should have read: "These are not your grandparents’ prosthetic devices that are available today. They have advanced at such a rapid pace. It’s not only exciting for users of prosthetic devices, but nonamputees are also very interested in the technology – how far it has evolved, and what prosthetic users are capable of doing, whether it be climbing Mount Everest or running in the Olympics with prosthetic limbs," according to Kevin Carroll, vice president of prosthetics at Hanger Orthopedic Group, based in Austin, Tex..
South African runner Oscar Pistorius fell just short of winning a medal at the London 2012 Olympics, but the double amputee did show the world that people with disabilities can achieve greatness in sports. His specially made prosthetic limbs also reflect a growing trend – highly visible in the media among returning soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq – toward more people with amputations displaying their prostheses rather than hiding them with coverings that resemble arms and legs.
The trend will be further highlighted at the 2012 Paralympic Games, taking place in London Aug. 29 through Sept. 9, and where Mr. Pistorius will again compete.
"These are not your grandparents’ prosthetic devices that are available today. They have advanced at such a rapid pace. It’s not only exciting for users of prosthetic devices, but nonamputees are also very interested in the technology – how far it has evolved, and what prosthetic users are capable of doing, whether it be climbing Mount Everest or running in the Olympics with prosthetic limbs," according to Kevin Carroll, vice president of prosthetics at Hanger Orthopedic Group, based in Austin, Tex.*
About 4,200 athletes from 165 countries will compete in the Paralympics, across 503 medal events. Athletes with amputations will be some of the most visually distinct among the Paralympics’ 10 categories of disability: impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of motion, limb deficiency, leg length difference, short stature, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, vision impairment, and intellectual impairment.
"This year, we’re expecting all sorts of records at the Paralympics. There is a greater focus worldwide and countries throughout the world are seeing the importance of supporting athletes in Paralympic events ... I predict many more Pistorius-types are on their way to the Olympics," said Mr. Carroll.
In the Paralympics, athletes using specially designed prosthetic devices –that is, used specifically for the sport and not for everyday use – will be most visible in track and field events. Prosthetic devices are not used in sports such as swimming and sitting volleyball. However, athletes with amputations are using prostheses for a wide range of sports in the real world.
"We are now supplying sport-specific prostheses from early ages all the way up to adults. This includes everything from prostheses made specifically for running, cycling, swimming, mountain climbing, snowboarding, skiing, and more," Mr. Carroll said.
In fact, the emerging technology is so good that some have suggested it may soon allow disabled athletes to outdo their able-bodied counterparts.
Of course, most amputees are not elite athletes. There are approximately 1.7 million people with limb loss in the United States, with another 150,000 who undergo amputations each year. While injured soldiers tend to be the most visible amputees in the media, diabetes is by far the greatest cause of limb loss – more than 80% of all amputations are the result of diabetes. Vascular disease, trauma, and cancer are among the other top causes.
But even increasing numbers of non–athlete amputees have been showcasing their prostheses within the last 10-15 years, with comparable numbers in both the civilian and military populations. As many as 50% of amputees in the United States now choose to display their prostheses, compared with less than 10% among their European counterparts. "This number wasn’t as high in the U.S. 30 years ago. This has evolved over time," Mr. Carroll said.
A realistic-looking limb cover adds to the cost of the working part of the prosthesis itself, but he believes that’s not why we’re seeing more of the latter. "[Amputees who chose to show their prostheses] like to showcase the technology they’re walking around on. This shows they have really accepted their loss. They are not showcasing their prostheses because of the cost, they’re doing it because of pride."
His advice to physicians: "Never say never to patients. We see people who are confined to wheelchairs get up and walk every day. We’re in a whole new era of rehabilitation. We’re very excited about the future."
–Miriam E. Tucker (@MiriamETucker on Twitter)
*CORRECTION 8/30/12: The original sentence misstated the location of Hanger Orthopedic Group. The sentence should have read: "These are not your grandparents’ prosthetic devices that are available today. They have advanced at such a rapid pace. It’s not only exciting for users of prosthetic devices, but nonamputees are also very interested in the technology – how far it has evolved, and what prosthetic users are capable of doing, whether it be climbing Mount Everest or running in the Olympics with prosthetic limbs," according to Kevin Carroll, vice president of prosthetics at Hanger Orthopedic Group, based in Austin, Tex..
South African runner Oscar Pistorius fell just short of winning a medal at the London 2012 Olympics, but the double amputee did show the world that people with disabilities can achieve greatness in sports. His specially made prosthetic limbs also reflect a growing trend – highly visible in the media among returning soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq – toward more people with amputations displaying their prostheses rather than hiding them with coverings that resemble arms and legs.
The trend will be further highlighted at the 2012 Paralympic Games, taking place in London Aug. 29 through Sept. 9, and where Mr. Pistorius will again compete.
"These are not your grandparents’ prosthetic devices that are available today. They have advanced at such a rapid pace. It’s not only exciting for users of prosthetic devices, but nonamputees are also very interested in the technology – how far it has evolved, and what prosthetic users are capable of doing, whether it be climbing Mount Everest or running in the Olympics with prosthetic limbs," according to Kevin Carroll, vice president of prosthetics at Hanger Orthopedic Group, based in Austin, Tex.*
About 4,200 athletes from 165 countries will compete in the Paralympics, across 503 medal events. Athletes with amputations will be some of the most visually distinct among the Paralympics’ 10 categories of disability: impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of motion, limb deficiency, leg length difference, short stature, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, vision impairment, and intellectual impairment.
"This year, we’re expecting all sorts of records at the Paralympics. There is a greater focus worldwide and countries throughout the world are seeing the importance of supporting athletes in Paralympic events ... I predict many more Pistorius-types are on their way to the Olympics," said Mr. Carroll.
In the Paralympics, athletes using specially designed prosthetic devices –that is, used specifically for the sport and not for everyday use – will be most visible in track and field events. Prosthetic devices are not used in sports such as swimming and sitting volleyball. However, athletes with amputations are using prostheses for a wide range of sports in the real world.
"We are now supplying sport-specific prostheses from early ages all the way up to adults. This includes everything from prostheses made specifically for running, cycling, swimming, mountain climbing, snowboarding, skiing, and more," Mr. Carroll said.
In fact, the emerging technology is so good that some have suggested it may soon allow disabled athletes to outdo their able-bodied counterparts.
Of course, most amputees are not elite athletes. There are approximately 1.7 million people with limb loss in the United States, with another 150,000 who undergo amputations each year. While injured soldiers tend to be the most visible amputees in the media, diabetes is by far the greatest cause of limb loss – more than 80% of all amputations are the result of diabetes. Vascular disease, trauma, and cancer are among the other top causes.
But even increasing numbers of non–athlete amputees have been showcasing their prostheses within the last 10-15 years, with comparable numbers in both the civilian and military populations. As many as 50% of amputees in the United States now choose to display their prostheses, compared with less than 10% among their European counterparts. "This number wasn’t as high in the U.S. 30 years ago. This has evolved over time," Mr. Carroll said.
A realistic-looking limb cover adds to the cost of the working part of the prosthesis itself, but he believes that’s not why we’re seeing more of the latter. "[Amputees who chose to show their prostheses] like to showcase the technology they’re walking around on. This shows they have really accepted their loss. They are not showcasing their prostheses because of the cost, they’re doing it because of pride."
His advice to physicians: "Never say never to patients. We see people who are confined to wheelchairs get up and walk every day. We’re in a whole new era of rehabilitation. We’re very excited about the future."
–Miriam E. Tucker (@MiriamETucker on Twitter)
*CORRECTION 8/30/12: The original sentence misstated the location of Hanger Orthopedic Group. The sentence should have read: "These are not your grandparents’ prosthetic devices that are available today. They have advanced at such a rapid pace. It’s not only exciting for users of prosthetic devices, but nonamputees are also very interested in the technology – how far it has evolved, and what prosthetic users are capable of doing, whether it be climbing Mount Everest or running in the Olympics with prosthetic limbs," according to Kevin Carroll, vice president of prosthetics at Hanger Orthopedic Group, based in Austin, Tex..
