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ELASTIC STRAIN ENERGY Discus leg (Update)|
Contoyannis. B. REHABTech Australia Stewart M. R. REHABTech Australia |
Cumbo. J. REHABTech Australia Stone. J. D. REHABTech Australia |
| In March 1992, a prosthesis was developed
by the Central Development Unit at the Heidelberg
Repatriation Hospital for an above knee amputee for
discus throwing. Extensive biomechanical assessment was
carried out at the Australian Institute of Sport in
Canberra on both an above the knee amputee and an able
bodied discus thrower. John Eden is the only above the knee amputee who does a full rotation when throwing the discus (or shotputt). |
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A conventional polypropylene socket was fitted to the patient and a custom designed prosthesis was attached. Although the actual composition of the prosthesis cannot be described (due to commercial reasons), it consists of a curved, cantilevered composite leaf. Knee flexion and extension are achieved not by means of a mechanical joint but through the force-deflection capabilities of the material from which the prosthesis is made. The weight of the prosthesis is minimised which assists with speed through the rotation section of the throw. Initial evaluation has been positive but has been hampered by durability. John Eden competed at the Barcelona Paralympics and won a silver medal. The interest generated by his new leg was enormous and John said that he could not appear anywhere without10 minutes of photo-taking and interviews. REHABTech has since taken over this project and further efforts have improved the durability enormously. John is currently the world champion as well as holding the world record.
The application of a prosthesis that can give active knee extension(and active plantar flexion) has enormous consequences for all amputees. REHABTech has been developing this concept in a powersport application but prototypes are already being sold which would have walking and running applications. These prototypes are for below knee and above knee amputees as well as footwear.
