Prosthetic Leg

[rellim]

Hello,

My girlfrend and I recently moved into a new house on Phuket. Being very sociable my girlfreand has made freinds with many of the locals.

Recently she introduced me to a Thai chap who lives a few doors down from my house. He with the help of my girlfreind translating, told

his story of how seven years ago he was hit by a drunk driver and had to have his left leg aputated below the knee. Now this chap

is still hobling around on crutchs and has a very basic plastic replament limb. This chaps family have asked me if there is a

repalcement limb avialable that can be used without the aid of crutches. After some reseach I found clinics in europe and the US

that fit very efective modern prosthetic limbs. I came across one prostetic centre in The north of Thailand but after looking at there website

the prostetic limbs looked very basic. Now I am no expert on the subject and would apreciate advise on finding a facility,either in Thailand or

a neigbouring country such as malasia or singapore. That can produce and fit a modern prostectic leg for this chap and get him of his crutchs.

[harrry]

As an amputee I am somewhat qualified to comment. Even in developed countries prosthetic legs for below knee amputees seem pretty basic. After all they consist of something to hold the leg on....a metal post and a foot which may or may not be articulated..in fact for many patients the basic non articulated foot as developed during the Civil war is best. In terms of sockets there are many ways they can be held on to the leg and these can affect the comfort of wearing.

Many western patients still need crutches when using artificial legs. This is partially due to the balancing problems and the lack of feedback.

Thai artificial legs are quite good for below knee patients and they are supplied free to patients throughout Thailand,

If the amputation is above the knee it is a diferent problem and although good basic prostetic legs are available they cannot match the computer controlled ones available to a few at high cost in the west, If you are looking at a leg in Singapore or the west you are looking at around $5000 US plus for a below the knee leg with socket replacements at $2000 a year or so.

Thai service is good and available.

Just having a prosthetic leg does not mean people can use it.

Edited September 24, 2010 by harrry

[rellim]

As an amputee I am somewhat qualified to comment. Even in developed countries prosthetic legs for below knee amputees seem pretty basic. After all they consist of something to hold the leg on....a metal post and a foot which may or may not be articulated..in fact for many patients the basic non articulated foot as developed during the Civil war is best. In terms of sockets there are many ways they can be held on to the leg and these can affect the comfort of wearing.

Many western patients still need crutches when using artificial legs. This is partially due to the balancing problems and the lack of feedback.

Thai artificial legs are quite good for below knee patients and they are supplied free to patients throughout Thailand,

If the amputation is above the knee it is a diferent problem and although good basic prostetic legs are available they cannot match the computer controlled ones available to a few at high cost in the west, If you are looking at a leg in Singapore or the west you are looking at around $5000 US plus for a below the knee leg with socket replacements at $2000 a year or so.

Thai service is good and available.

Just having a prosthetic leg does not mean people can use it.

Thank you for your detailed reply. This guys leg is amputated about ten inchs below the knee and his current artificial leg

is like the one you described. You mentioned that balancing and lack of feedback are part of the problem with artificial legs.

Would a modern design help with the balance issue. As for the feedback this brings me to the question of finding a service

either in Thailand or Singapore. Money is not so much of an issue but the US is not possible. Do you know o or can your recomend

where I can start looking for such a clinic that can provide the best possible service , Thanks.

.