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Post by barclay on Sept 8, 2012 22:08:49 GMT -7
Oops.
I got the foot only in December and I am not sure that the health insurance is going to pay for an second foot in one year ! If they do though, I don't think it makes much sense to get the same foot again (the Otto Bock C60 triton) as it clearly isn't stable enough for the job I ask it to do.
I was looking the Bock web site and found the E56 Axtion which says it's for basketball and tennis (:-) - does anyone know anything about this ? Since I may have to purchase this out of pocket, I'd really like to talk to people who have used this or have experience with it....and maybe I need to go to another board for that- Can anyone recommend a board with a (sub)group which does sports ?
I love this board because I have the feeling that what people say here they would also say to each other in person - that's rare on internet boards.
Grateful for any direction you can provide,
Cynthia
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Post by allenuk on Sept 9, 2012 2:12:11 GMT -7
Cynthia. I've never bought any prosthetic bits myself (good old NHS in the UK) but I would have hoped that anything from a company as big as Bock would have at least a 12 month warranty. Not seen any sites with much of a sports following - perhaps all the athletes are all too busy doing their sports to come and discuss things. You could try Heather Mills, which does have a broader base than here: www.heathermills.eu/forum/Hope you find some answers. A. |
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Post by allenuk on Sept 9, 2012 11:40:05 GMT -7
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Post by cherylm on Sept 9, 2012 19:43:48 GMT -7
Cynthia - My last foot was an Axion, although I don't remember the specific model number. I liked it because it was very, very sturdy, but in my case it was a little TOO sturdy...it truly did feel like it was meant for someone who was more athletic than I am, and I had some problems taking full advantage of its energy-storing capabilities as a result. It WAS very good at taking side-to-side movement, which I would think might be good for a tennis player. Not much info, but I hope it helps!
If this is the second foot you've managed to break, my first thought is that your prosthetist is seriously underestimating your activity level and prescribing a less-than-ideal foot. Before you consider offering to pay out of pocket for a new foot, do look into that issue!
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Post by barclay on Sept 9, 2012 20:34:40 GMT -7
Hi Cheryl, it's not that he is underestimating my activity level, it's that the Health Insurance only covers the very basic stuff and even to get the triton covered I had to have herr doktor professor types of people approve it specially. My leg man loves that I run around and he'd get me all the highest end stuff if he could :-)
I am not sure about the warranty, but thanks for mentioning that Allen, I'll mention it. And thanks for the websites as well!.
Best,
Cynthai
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Post by barclay on Sept 10, 2012 21:36:40 GMT -7
update - My Prothesthist thinks there is no question but that the foot had a material defect - something about the carbon fiber looking like it had been cut vertically with a knife and the position of the break at the point where the ankle rotation bit joined the carbon fiber bit. So likely I will get a replacement easily. He said that one should absolutely work for tennis (grade 3/4 unrestricted).
The replacement is ordered hopefully it will be here soon.
I have to admit, I am a liitle disappointed as I am not so sure that this foot is strong enough for tennis, but I guess we will see if it breaks again.
Best,
Cynthia
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Post by barclay on Oct 2, 2012 20:16:42 GMT -7
just for the record - Otto Bock replaced the foot free of charge, phew. No complications :-)
One aggravating thing though came out of this - Even if I wanted to buy a higher grade part, the health insurance won't allow it (or won't cover the leg at all). In a way I understand it, if there is a problem then they don't know if it's because or the part I bought or not, but from my perspective it comes down to the health insurance determining that I must have a lower level component than I need/want. I don't like that :-(.
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Post by allenuk on Oct 3, 2012 2:47:18 GMT -7
As you say, Phew.
We have similar problems in the UK with the NHS, where they won't let us pay extra (!) for special components. So if they can't/won't supply something, you're stuffed - and the only course is 'going private', which costs (wait for it) an arm and a leg.
A
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Post by barclay on Oct 3, 2012 20:16:19 GMT -7
groan.......
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Post by barclay on Nov 15, 2012 20:38:27 GMT -7
I was wrong about the foot I had - It was an Ossör, looks just like the Bock one. and.....I broke the third one on Tuesday. so much for category 3/4 :-(
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ann58
Female Member 
Posts: 278
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Post by ann58 on Nov 16, 2012 9:57:45 GMT -7
I was wrong about the foot I had - It was an Ossör, looks just like the Bock one. and.....I broke the third one on Tuesday. so much for category 3/4 :-( Barclay: Am I to understand that U can not pay the difference between what they will pay for & what is needed for U?? Isn't there a chance U could get hurt {if U hit the ground} using a foot not suitable. |
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Post by barclay on Nov 16, 2012 11:12:20 GMT -7
the foot is categorized as suitable, it's meant for high activity. and yes, they won't let me buy a better foot because of insurance questions.
I think though that this must be a production problem with these feet - this one broke in exactly the same place. Or maybe a design mistake.
I've fallen a lot, I did a lot of gymnastics though as a kid and I don't get hurt easily.
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ann58
Female Member
Posts: 278
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Post by ann58 on Nov 17, 2012 7:43:14 GMT -7
Bummer!!  |
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Post by barclay on Dec 2, 2012 4:52:22 GMT -7
Still waiting to hear from the sales rep if I get another one or not.....
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Post by stonecutter on Dec 2, 2012 12:09:13 GMT -7
When I was on the first flex foot I had - which was the plain-Jane one, the leaf spring delaminated (started splitting apart along the length of the spring) at about mid curve. It was a bad situation, but they replaced it no charge. They said sometimes it happens. I was pretty self-conscious about it - I thought I was over the weight class for that particular model or something.
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Post by barclay on Jan 8, 2013 13:25:23 GMT -7
And...Another one bites the dust. Fourth foot this year KO. This has got to be a material defect.
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Post by allenuk on Jan 8, 2013 13:39:07 GMT -7
Well, it's either that, or totally the wrong foot for your level of activity. Do you know of any other amps who play tennis etc. to your degree? If so, what foot/feet do they use?
A
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Post by barclay on Jan 9, 2013 14:15:06 GMT -7
I don't know of any other tennis playing amps :-( Wish I did, I'd love to play with them !
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Post by ann- on Jan 10, 2013 2:09:33 GMT -7
Maybe you need a more heavy duty foot Cynthia. I think probably the more active you are the more that components will wear out, yours seem to wear out pretty quick though .... I know as a teenager, totally different kind of legs back then, but I was much more active and I went through so many legs and feet on a very regular basis, they were always breaking down.
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Post by barclay on Jan 19, 2013 1:38:49 GMT -7
I'm testing out an Endolite EchelonVT right now. My prosthesisist has picked a couple for me to try as he's tired of seeing me :-) seriously, he thinks the rate at which they are breaking will be sufficient for the health insurance to approve a different foot, if we find one that works.
Ossur would continue to supply me with their foot every six weeks though - I guess they got a lot to get rid of.....
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Post by barclay on Jan 25, 2013 22:19:13 GMT -7
The Endolite didn't last either. This is depressing. I'm wondering now if I am going to have to give up tennis :-(.
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Post by allenuk on Jan 26, 2013 2:56:50 GMT -7
It's GOT to be the level of foot you're being given! Amps do all sorts of things (well, some do). Giving up tennis would be a bit like Oscar P giving up running 'cos his feet kept breaking...
A
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Post by oneblueleg on Jan 28, 2013 6:11:43 GMT -7
The Endolite didn't last either. This is depressing. I'm wondering now if I am going to have to give up tennis :-(. Hi barclay, the EchelonVT is a level 3 activity foot, it is not designed for level 4 activity. For that you would be better off having an Elite2 or an Elite Blade... |
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Post by allenuk on Jan 28, 2013 8:27:49 GMT -7
Barclay: in case it isn't obvious, oneblueleg actually WORKS in the prosthetic industry, so take notice of what he says (even more than of the rest of us!)
He knows things.
A.
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Post by barclay on Jan 29, 2013 22:12:05 GMT -7
Thanks oneblueleg - I'll mention the elite2 to my prosthesis (the blade looks to be only for running). I snapped off the inner tine of the VT - and this is the point that the others broke as well, so it seems to be the pushing off the foot when changing direction which gets the feet - off-center pressure causing torque ?.
If the sales rep still lets me try it after the EchelonVT experience, I should get one of the Ossur Re-flexes tomorrow and following that the Axtion to try out.
I also may become a tester for feet ! We will see if that comes, I like the idea though :-)
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