Rehab for Amputee - JP Fitness Forums

gregl515 · 09-14-2006, 01:42 PM

Hey Bill,

I recently lost my right leg below the knee. I have been given a set of band exercises for upper body and lower body. I also was given a rudimentary set of weight lifting exercises. Is there something more I could be doing to strengthen my body while I wait for my new leg?

ninja · 09-14-2006, 01:52 PM

Greg, my condolences go out to you. However, from knowing you on the board, you won't let this get you down.

gregl515 · 09-14-2006, 01:57 PM

I'm just looking at it as a big project to get my life back on track. I split it up into small bites and it doesn't seem so big.

Bill Hartman · 09-14-2006, 03:18 PM

What's your health status and what do you have access to? I would think the band stuff would be rather "easy" for you. Unless you have some sort of health issue or stump healing/vascular issue, I don't know why you'd be restricted. Upper body strength comes in handy during gait training. Stick to your basic pushes and pulls.

I'm assuming you've been instructed on your flexibility exercises and what to do and what not to do as far as leg positioning to optimize function with your prosthesis.

Bill

gregl515 · 09-14-2006, 07:26 PM

I have been advised about flexibility. I have access to dumb bells but not a bench. I'll work on that with upper body and do the bands for the legs until I can get leg weights. I had a very bad infection and was very weak, but my strength is steadily coming back. They tested me on a walker and I went 65 feet which is supposed to be excellent for one legged guys.

Bill Hartman · 09-15-2006, 08:13 AM

Just in case...

Wheelchair or regular chair dips
Trapeze pull-ups with varying grips
push-ups (start on the wall and work your way down toward the floor to accomodate for strength levels...this will also be one helluva ab workout with single leg support)
Single leg bridge
Single leg partial squats
Heel raises
Side bridge
Rotator cuff work and rows with the dumbbells

If you're still in PT and have access to cables, cable PNF diagonals and various pushes and pulls would be great.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Bill

gregl515 · 09-15-2006, 09:24 AM

Thanks. I am trying to visualize the wall pushups. Do you mean straight up against a wall and working my way to the floor?

Lisa~ · 09-15-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregl515

Thanks. I am trying to visualize the wall pushups. Do you mean straight up against a wall and working my way to the floor?

Greg, Wall pushups take load off your hands. You'd do them against the wall like this:

Then as you become strong enough, work your way down to an inclined surface (the kitchen counter, then a bench press bench or chair against the wall, the stairs, a sturdy coffee table), and eventually be able to do them on the floor.

Lisa~ · 09-15-2006, 01:47 PM

I also found this link with some exercise information that you might find helpful. I hope you can get at least something useful out of it.

http://www.vard.org/mono/lowerlimb/conditioning.pdf

gregl515 · 09-17-2006, 02:02 AM

Thanks.

I do the bridging with my lower body workout and I can throw in the wall pushups with my upper body theraband which I will do with wheelchair pushups on alternate days. I already do the heel raises to keep my legs strong and encourage circulation during the day.

On alternate days for upper body I intend to do the following:

Shoulder exercises with the theraband.
Dumbbell complex consisting of the following:

Military press
tricep extension
bent over row
upright row
tricep kickback
curl/lateral raise (alternated)
going from six reps to one rep.

What do you think?

BFG · 09-17-2006, 06:38 AM

Greg I just wanted to say I admire your spirit and determination, I wish others had your philosophy. Good luck on your quest to get fit again.

gregl515 · 09-17-2006, 06:52 AM

I wouldn't be in this situation if I had taken proper care of myself in the first place. This is about my third wakeup call. This time I woke up. I guess I'm a heavy sleeper!

BFG · 09-17-2006, 07:35 AM

somtimes we just need a reality check to makes us realise we are not infaliable, sorry it had to be this way. With modern health care though, there is no reason for this to restrict you in any way though. I have seen some amazing prosthetics over the years. A friend of mine had to have his arm amputated when he was 13 due to a climbing accident, in a weird twist of fate his father fitted artifical limbs and his uncle was a leading designer. He has arms for everything you could possibly think of and was one of the first to have a bionic arm! (well not long after Steve Austin)

gregl515 · 09-18-2006, 11:02 PM

We can rebuild him! We have the technology! I did the dumbbell complex today. I am sore, but I will have to go to a heavier weight pretty fast. I found a dumbbell complex specifically for shoulders that I will alternate with my original complx on shoulder day.