For about the past three months, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jimmy Anderson, a 73-year-old patient from South Knoxville with a great attitude and a “can-do” spirit. Jimmy had emergency surgery to amputate all but four inches of his leg earlier this year as a result of a popliteal (behind the knee) aneurysm.

My goal for all Premier Prosthetic Center patients is to get them back to where they were before the amputation. In Jimmy’s case, I knew it would be difficult and that we would need to make special accommodations because his leg was cut so high. Remarkably, only two weeks after I fit him with a C-Leg with a microprocessor knee, Jimmy was walking with a cane.

The following is Jimmy’s story in his own words:

I’m 73 and have been active and in pretty good shape my whole life. I worked out two or three days a week, played golf a couple of days a week, and had no real health issues until this incident with my leg.

On Feb. 28, I put in three miles on the stationary bike at the health club. I felt no pain when I left the club, but by the time I got home my right foot was numb. I told my wife that something was wrong with my foot, so we went to see my doctor. My doctor immediately sent me to the emergency room because I had no blood flow in my foot.

By then, I had intense pain in my entire leg. It felt like it would explode. At that point, I wanted to cut off my leg myself and throw it out the window.

After three unsuccessful attempts to clear the clot, the doctor said that I may lose my leg. My family wanted a second opinion. Dr. Callicutt (also with Premier Surgical Associates) came in to look at my leg and said I needed immediate surgery or I might die. He cleared his calendar of two previously scheduled surgeries so that he could take care of me.

When I woke up in ICU, I didn’t know where I was or what was going on. When a nurse told me where I was, I looked down at my leg. That’s when I realized it was gone.

I stayed at Parkwest Medical Center for 10 days and then spent 10 days at Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center before I came home. When I got home, people in my church (Sevier Heights Baptist) had built ramps and helped prepare the house for me, and Hall’s Salvage had redone my bathroom. I was amazed at how much support I got from family and friends. It meant a lot to me.

I never got depressed. I figured my leg is gone and it’s not coming back, I better make the best of it. I also knew it’d be easier for my family if I had a good attitude.

Following therapy at Patricia Neal to get my body ready for the leg, I went to see Zach Weber, and he fit me with a C-Leg. I used crutches for five or six days, but my goal was to walk with a cane. Zach worked with me, and I’ve been using a cane ever since. Now my goal is to get rid of the cane.

Zach has been great to work with. I didn’t realize it when I first started working with him, but he also has a prosthesis. I think it helps because he has an idea of what I’m going through. He told me once, ‘If you come in my office and you have pain, I’ll never tell you to get used to it. We’ll do what we need to do to take care of it.’ Anytime something doesn’t feel right, I let him know about it and he works with me to get it right.

I won’t say it’s been easy, and I don’t wake up every day all sunshine and roses, but I have a good life and I’m getting more active all the time. I’m back on the golf course and starting to work out, and my wife Sandy’s glad that I’m able to help out with vacuuming, washing dishes and light housework.

I think the things that have helped me through have been my faith, my attitude, the prayers on my behalf, and my terrific family and friends. I have a wonderful wife, two sons and a daughter, and they’ve all been great. My four-year-old granddaughter, Abby Gail Thompson, is the joy of my life.

Realizing I came so close to death brings me back to reality and makes me grateful to be here, and I’m also grateful for the terrific medical care I’ve gotten along the way.

Jimmy has been an inspiration to me and everyone at Premier who’s worked with him. He’s proof positive that a patient’s good attitude goes a long way in the healing process.

For a video showing Jimmy Anderson’s progress, visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/premierprosthetic. Like our page to learn more about the progress we make with our patients.

The post Prosthetic Doesn’t Slow Down this Senior first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Once patients leave my office, there are important steps necessary to maintain a proper-fitting, fully functional prosthesis. The following are a few tips for success:

1. Start slowly and stick with the plan. Although your schedule will be tailored to your specific situation, most patients start with as few as two hours a day and over the course of a few weeks progress to wearing the prosthesis all day. Don’t make the mistake of being too active too soon, which may lead to problems like skin irritation and soreness, or wearing it too little which will delay your progress toward becoming a full-time prosthetic user. If you have a lower limb prosthesis, start by using a cane or crutch so that you are able to gradually increase the amount of weight on your prosthesis.
2. Take meticulous care of your skin. Clean your residual limb with a mild, scent-free antibacterial soap every day after wearing your prosthesis. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with clean water and gently dry with a towel. Allow your residual limb to completely air dry before wearing your prosthesis. When you’re not wearing your prosthesis, wear your shrinker.Carefully examine your skin for redness and other signs of breakdown or infection at least once a day. Skin problems such as irritation, skin breakdown (the process of skin being worn away) and infection are common due largely to the fact that blood vessel disorders and diabetes – the disorders that put people at risk of amputation – decrease circulation to limbs and increase the risk of skin breakdown and infection. If you have diabetes or a neurologic disorder, stay particularly diligent because you likely have an impaired ability to feel pain and will be less likely to notice when your skin breaks down or infection develops.
3. Watch for signs of infection. Infection is a common problem because the socket creates the perfect environment for bacteria growth — an airtight, warm, damp environment where your body oils and sweat collect. Contact your physician if you have signs of infection such as reddened skin, sores, a discharge of pus, a bad odor, tender spots or rashes.
4. Pay attention to the fit. Your stump changes in shape and size throughout the day depending on various factors, such as the activities you’re participating in, what you eat and the weather. Changes in your weight can also affect fit. New vacuum technology and the practice of changing socks can help accommodate for minor changes. If the change in the shape and size of the stump varies too greatly, it is important to see your prosthetist for an adjustment.
5. Visit your prosthetist at least once a year. An annual visit affords your prosthetist the opportunity to check your prosthetic for any signs of wear and tear, make sure you still have an optimal fit, and provide information about any new advancements or upgrades available.

While the above tips provide only a brief snapshot of steps you can take for success, following them will greatly enhance your prosthetic experience.

To schedule a free consultation with Premier Prosthetic Center, call 865-474-7096 or request an appointment online. We look forward to discussing our philosophy of care and how we restore vitality for our patients. No referral is necessary.

Visit us on Facebook for the latest updates and patient successes.

The post Proper After-care Ensures Best Prosthetic Experience first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with patient Judy Berhow. Hers is a story that illustrates well why I am so passionate about this profession.

As a result of vascular problems, Judy’s right leg was amputated. Prior to coming to Premier Prosthetic Center, she tried a couple of different prostheses from other providers, but wasn’t able to wear either one more than 15 minutes because they caused too much pain. She ended up spending six years in a wheelchair because that was easier than wearing the ill-fitting prostheses.

After visiting our office at the recommendation of a friend and hearing about the Rheo 2 prosthesis, Judy decided to try it out. On the first day after fitting, she walked out of our office with the help of a cane. Now, she is able to walk with greater confidence and has regained her independence. She says she enjoys being able to go shopping and visit people by herself.

The technology utilized in the Rheo 2 prosthesis is remarkable. The device uses an artificially-intelligent knee system with sensors that analyze the knee 1,000 times per second. It is programmed to know what its user is doing – things like whether they’re on uneven terrain, walking fast or walking slow or going up or down a hill – and is able to adjust accordingly, unlike less sophisticated limbs. This improves the user’s stability and helps prevent falls.

The Rheo 2 also allows me to make any needed adjustments through a Bluetooth connection between my PDA and Judy’s bionic leg.

It’s an impressive system that is making life better for many amputees, just as it has for Judy.

Watch Judy’s story as featured on WATE-TV: http://www.premiersurgical.com/news/show/61

The post Innovative Prosthesis is Restoring Patient Vitality first appeared on Premier Surgical.