Lower Limb Amputation

[Ruger Nut]

I am facing amputation of my foot and ankle. My doctors appointment is March 18th to meet with an orthopedic surgeon and wound surgeon at LSU Shreveport ACC.
Are there any members here that have had a lower limb amputated and are using a prosthesis, and would care to share their story? Or, you can PM me.

 

[sceva]

Not me, but my Father had to have his right leg amputated do to a blood clot ( I can not recall if above or below the knee) and he was up and around very quickly and did great with a prosthesus. He also had his car modified to use his left foot for driving. Never slowed him down. I sure wish I could ask him questions for you but I sadly lost him about 10 years ago.

 

[jeffsmith]

Yes i've Been a Double Amputee (Below Knee) since 1969
I was born without Tibias and all attempts to rebuild my low legs didn't work

Feel Free to PM me with any questions

I will say that I wish the Prosthetic Technology they have now had been available in '69

My First Legs were basically fashioned from a Hunk of wood
my newest legs I had a Choice between Carbon Fiber or Titanium
(I went with the Titanium)

I walk with no assistance other than Sometimes a Cane for long periods outside

 

[BJoe]

Good luck and stay strong man.

 

[longhorn too]

May God be with you during this trying time.

 

[rwsmith]

I hope

I hope you can pause for the surgery, then get going again and not stop.

 

[chud333]

Good Luck and Hope all goes well for you sir.
My prayers are with you.

Chuck

 

[Alnamvet68]

Prayers for you Ruger. BTW, is this diabetes related?

 

[pawncop]

A prayer from your neighbor in Texas. Rehab will be your newest best friend. Do what they request of you.

 

[wheelgun28]

Have a friend that had diabetes related problems. After over a year of treatment they took the leg below the knee.

He feels all so much better, no more pain and feeling ill.

He does get around, drives and lives life again.

He is slightly limited in things like lifting heavy loads but all in all it was a very good choice for him.

 

[OLDSTER]

Wow! Good luck to you and hoping for a rapid recovery.

 

[joeintexas]

Best of luck to you and here's hoping you are back up and going in no time at all.

 

[Cpo1944]

Hello Ruger Nut,
I am a certified Prosthetist and I have been practicing for 47 years. I cant say for certain, but I may just have seen it all, from hand carved Willow wood and leather to carbon fibre and Titanium and Silicone.
Do not be afraid, my colleagues and I are highly skilled and talented and who ever you work with will provide you with excellent care.
You are welcome to EM me with any questions and I would be happy to give you my phone number .
Good luck , Jack

 

[Grayfox]

My Father was severly wounded in WW II and had recurring problems with his right leg for many years after. They finally had to take it off just below the knee in the late 1960s.
He did much better after and lived a long and full life. He did pretty much whatever he wanted to without much trouble at all.
Despite having a Disabled Veteran license plate, he very rarely used Handicapped Parking spaces. In his words: "There are people who need those."

 

[Goldstar225]

My wife had a below the knee amputation last October due to vascular disease and type II diabetes. She had a set-back in healing but is making progress through a woun clinic. Don't hesitate to seek assistance in wound care.

There have been some unexpected benefits as a result of the amputation. Her oxygen saturation as gone from and average of 93% to and average of 99% and her blood sugar no longer needs medication to stay within range. Prior to the procedure she was very fatigued in the afternoon but now has much more endurance.

I have been extremely proud of her throughout this event. She was decisive and has had a strong drive to obtain her prosthetic and regain normalcy in her life.

 

[JJEH]

All the best for this procedure and the time after. Stay strong!

 

[Ruger Nut]

Prayers for you Ruger. BTW, is this diabetes related?

Yes, it is. Back in 2000 I caught Pneumonia and was hospitalized for 2.5 weeks. I had so many tubes, needles, and do-dads sticking in/on me I felt like a 'Nawlins voodoo doll. My immune system was so down that I contracted Type II Diabetes. The doctors says it's very rare but does happen. I have always been in great shape and still am.
It has always been in check, only spiking when I get sick.
In 2011 I started getting a swollen leg and ankle. I went to the doctor and they did a sonogram and said everything looked good.(Were looking for a blood clot) As the days turned into weeks it was getting harder to walk. Still my doctor was puzzled. Then one morning I went to get out of bed and my foot was completely turned inside and I couldn't walk. My son took me to the emergency room and a specialist was called in and diagnosed me with Charcot (Sharko) Foot. My fibula had seperated from the talus by at least 3/4" and my foot was slowly "clumping." Only .09% of Diabetic people get this disease!
After having to stop working I went through all of my savings to get help. That's when I decided to move back to La. and get on at LSU Health. I don't get Medicare until 2014 and am on SSD. It has taken exactly 1 year and 2 days to finally get an appointment with the LSU doctors.
Member JeffSmith has been so supportive and helpful in answering my Q?s and has given me inspiration to go in there on the 18th with a lot of courage!
Don't think just obese people get Type II Diabetes, even sick people can get it too. Also, pregnant woman get it.
I have never been on insulin or other meds, just (1) 500mg Metformin tablet a day to keep it in check. My A1C is 4.8 and my sugars are 69-98 average.
Anyway, that's my story. I didn't ask for any of this, but as I know, God has a reason for what he does!

 

[Old Seabee]

Foot

Would you be a Vietnam vet ? Have you tried VA for help ?

 

[Kenna]

Stay strong and prayers sent

 

[2hawk]

Prayers out for you, Ruger; good luck and godspeed!