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Welcome to our Summer Newsletter!
Read on for an update of what is going on at Dorset Orthopaedic including a look at some of the life-enhancing products we provide and some of the custom-made socket designs we’ve created. We introduce you to two of our new patients turned ambassadors and take a look at the wonderful Arctic ONE Tri and Para Tri Festivals.
We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter and please feel free to contact us with any ideas of what you would like to see in the next issue.
The Dorset Orthopaedic Team
Summer
NEWSLETTER
STRIVE FOR BETTER.
MIKE’S WATER ADVENTURES WITH HIS RUSH FOOT H20
Mike elected to have his leg amputated below the knee after years of pain from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident 18 years previously. Having been a patient at Dorset Orthopaedic’s southern clinic in Ringwood for around ten years owing to his injury, the Dorset team were there throughout the entire process, coming up with his rehab plan pre-surgery and getting him up on his prosthesis within six weeks of the amputation.
Mike wears a Rush Foot 87 for everyday use, but also has an Ossur Elation for flying his light aircraft, has recently taken delivery of a Rush Foot H2O, to enable him to enjoy water activities.
The Rush Foot H20 has an integrated Vibram sole and custom moulded rubber toe wrap to give added traction on slick surfaces. To test it, Mike went paddleboarding with Clinical Services Development Director, Matt Hughes, and has since been putting it to good use on a family holiday to Turkey.
“It allows me the freedom to go in salt water without worrying about degradation and also
allows me to paddle on the beach without worrying about getting sand and grit in my foot-shell. While in Turkey I was able to swim in the pool, paddle in the surf, kayak, stand up paddleboard and go sailing. It was brilliant. I get all the benefits of the Rush foot but I can go wherever I want with it!”
Mike Wildeman
Out of the water, Mike keeps himself busy, working as an Airbus A320 instructor and examiner while awaiting the green light from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to return to flying airliners again. Mike has also been working as team leader for Bader’s Bus Company, the UK’s first disabled flying display team. The team, which was finalised at the beginning of the year, comprises Mike, Barry Hobkirk, Alan Robinson and Alex Krol, will make its first public display in a month’s time.
To learn more about Dorset Orthopaedic’s services please click here.
Mike Wildeman, 56, an airline pilot who lost his leg 18 months ago, has been able to enjoy the beach once again thanks to a water-friendly prosthetic foot.
Dorset Orthopaedic Welcomes Andy Lewis!Dorset Orthopaedic is thrilled to announce prolific para athlete and above knee amputee Andy Lewis as our newest ambassador. Dorset Orthopaedic work with Andy to ensure optimum socket fit as well as maintaining his current prosthetic system. Andy currently uses an Ottobock 3S80 combined with a 1E90 Sprinter Foot for running and an Ottobock 3R106 knee joint as his ‘everyday leg’ and for cycling when competing in triathlons.
Hailing from Gloucestershire, Andy has always been a fitness fanatic and frequently ran for his county in cross-country events across the UK. However at the age of 16 things changed for him when he was left with a disfigured leg after being hit by a 38 tonne articulated lorry while out on his motorcycle in his hometown. After five years and a series of infections he opted to have his leg amputated. After adjusting to life with a prosthetic limb, Andy took up a number of ventures from learning how to fly and gaining himself a pilot’s licence, to boxing which he took up as a way to get back into shape.
The 2012 Paralympics was the turning point for Andy, with his love for running and fitness being reignited after watching the inspirational athletes compete. In 2013, he was introduced to triathlons and started to train seriously to become a professional athlete. Since committing himself to his sporting career, Andy has won numerous medals and has achieved European and World Athlete status with a highlight being winning a gold medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. Andy currently holds four triathlon gold medals, three triathlon silver medals and two triathlon bronze medals and is the current Paralympic, World, European and British Champion in the sport.
Meet Hannah MooreHannah Moore is a sports enthusiast, amputee and Dorset Orthopaedic ambassador. When Hannah was aged just 16, a minor procedure to remove an ingrown toenail led to her developing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in her right foot. The CRPS caused swelling, ulcers and severe pain and for two years Hannah was unable to walk at all. Unfortunately by late 2014, Hannah’s CRPS had become even worse and after undergoing over 50 operations she took the difficult decision to pay to have her right leg amputated privately in the summer of 2016.
Following intensive rehabilitation after her amputation, Hannah received her first prosthetic leg in September 2016 and within just four weeks she was able to walk short distances without a walking stick. Hannah promptly started competing in wheelchair races and became determined to use physical activities and to push herself further, eventually setting herself the goal of becoming a para-triathlete.
To help her with her ambition, the NHS provided Hannah with a carbon fibre foot to make participating in sports easier. Although this foot enabled Hannah to partake in some sports, including karate in which she holds a black belt, it was not ideal for running. Recognising that a dedicated sports prosthesis may be more suited to this challenge, Hannah starting fundraising and obtained grants from the charity Arctic ONE as well as her local council’s sports system. Shortly after this, fellow Dorset Orthopaedic ambassador Mark Pattenden became aware of Hannah’s story and decided to help her fundraising efforts as part of his “pay it forward” initiative. He took on the challenge to run 10k every day for 90 days, raising enough money for Hannah to be fitted with her very first running blade from Dorset Orthopaedic in 2017.
Today, Hannah is making every effort to achieve her ambitions, training six days a week and attending talent days to fuel her inspiration. She gained her first British title in Paratriathlon in September 2017 and won the women’s PTS4 category at the ITU Paratriathlon World Cup at Eton, Dorney in May 2018. Hannah is now focusing on autumn and winter events. To help her on this journey, Dorset Orthopaedic has created both a running blade and an aerodynamic custom cycling leg for Hannah.
RYAN’S STORY“Thinking back to the time when I lost my right leg due to a traumatic injury, I was quite sceptical of what life had in store for me. Using a conventional prosthesis at first, I suffered from a lot of pain in my hips and back, as well as my knee, after a long day at work.
PRODUCT FEATURE: EMPOWER ANKLEIn this newsletter, we feature the innovative Empower Ankle which has been available from Dorset Orthopaedic since January 2017. The Empower is the world’s only prosthesis with powered propulsion which actively drives the ankle joint. This helps to compensate for the original functions of the missing muscles, helping to make walking less strenuous and allowing the user to walk faster and for longer distances. The Empower handles different surfaces well, decelerating the body during rollover of the foot before accelerating again for toe off. In addition, the entire surface of the foot lowers itself immediately to the floor, enabling the user to control every step regardless of the surface.
Sensors inside the ankle continuously analyse the foot’s position in space, detecting the speed, energy and foot position needed to walk on uneven ground and changing terrains. This means that the user can avoid compensating movements and help prevent joint pain, as well as long-term orthopaedic problems. The active powered propulsion also supports upward movement, such as climbing stairs or ramps.
To learn more about the Empower Ankle click here.
As a result, pain relief medication became an indispensable part of my life. I also had to rely on a walking stick, which I was self-conscious about, particularly as I was only in my twenties.
Then, I started using the Empower Ankle. For me the new ankle turned out to be a game changer and I was able to stop using the walking stick immediately.
Meanwhile my work days are no longer painful and I have energy after work to exercise and play with my kids.
The Empower Ankle has fully empowered me to have fun and live my life the way I did before my injury.”
ARCTIC ONE TRI AND PARA TRI FESTIVAL As the proud sponsor of the Arctic ONE Tri and Para Tri Festivals, Dorset Orthopaedic entered a number of mixed ability teams on both of their incredible fundraising days during the summer. The teams included members of the Dorset Orthopaedic Team as well as some of our amazing patients including the fearless racing driver Billy Monger, para athlete Dave Henson and GB wheelchair basketball athlete Mo Hastings. The races took place at the iconic Dorney Lake, which also hosted the Olympic rowing during London 2012. As well as the Tri and Para Tri Festivals, both days offered even more excitement with the May event playing host to the 2018 ITU World Paratriathlon Cup and the July event hosting the British Paratriathlon Championships.
These additional Paratriathlons saw the world’s best para athletes
competing for a podium place on the same course as everyone else! The funds raised for Arctic ONE through these events has enabled them to award donations to all 39 applicants in their latest round of “Forward Motion” grants. These grants provide the opportunity for disabled individuals, clubs and groups to pursue their sport of choice. To date, Arctic ONE has allocated 154 grants involving 23 different sports including triathlon, swimming, cycling and running.
Contact us
[email protected] < www.dorset-ortho.com 0800 433 2239
SOCKET SHOWCASEHere at Dorset Orthopaedic we take pride in continually seeking to understand a patient’s unique requirements and deliver individual personalised attention. As well as priding ourselves in delivering excellent socket fit, we enjoy the challenge of producing designs that are truly unique. Here are just a few of the recent designs that our talented team have created for patients that wanted something a little different.
GET INVOLVED!Have you and your socket had any summer adventures over the last few months? If so we would love to see your pictures of the weird and wonderful places you have travelled to or the activities you have taken part in. For your chance to have your socket featured in our next newsletter, please send your photos to [email protected]
