pelly
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by pelly on Sept 13, 2013 12:20:44 GMT -7
I finally persuaded the Nottingham Limb Centre to let me have the Echelon Foot. I had read and seen all the videos and so was just a little bit excited to go and collect my new foot 3 days ago. Well, I am a little bit underwhelmed by it. Firstly, the weight, what a lump it is to carry about, but I guess I will get used to that. My biggest concern is the flat spot in the roll over, does anyone else get this? Also, when standing , the foot tilts and I feel as if I am falling forwards, as a consequence I am now standing with more weight on my good leg, surely this isn't right. Am I judging the foot too quickly?How long was it before other users felt confident that they were getting a good performance from their foot?
Any helpful hints or tips to help me adapt?
Regards to you all
David
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Post by cherylm on Sept 14, 2013 1:31:47 GMT -7
David, everything you mention sounds like it could be a matter of the fit and alignment...it may hot actually be related specifically to your foot. The weight could really be due to a socket that's not fitting properly, and the dead spot and "falling forwards" sensation can be a misaligned foot.
Before you give up on the new foot, try having them adjust the other issues first. If they can't improve how the foot works for you, then you may want to do some more research on feet, but it's surprising just how much the proper socket fit and alignment can affect the feel and performance of a foot.
Keep us updated, please!
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ann58
Female Member 
Posts: 278
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Post by ann58 on Sept 14, 2013 7:51:13 GMT -7
David, the flat spot {as Cherylm has said,is to do with setting up of your foot...I always felt as if I were walking over a ridge on the floor. I love the foot, but not everyone can set it correctly. I found this out when I received mine. I also believe the foot is somewhat heavier., but you will adjust to this. Honestly I believe you will love the foot when properly aligned
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Post by allenuk on Sept 15, 2013 1:53:39 GMT -7
You did remarkably well to screw an Echelon out of the NHS, David. I got one a few years back at Stanmore, but I've since heard it was one of the last they 'gave out'.
I wouldn't be without mine.
Yes, it DOES take a real expert to set it up properly, and that dead spot, or 'walking over a ridge', quickly goes with a few expert tweaks.
The 'rolling' when standing is different. I still get that, several years on, and I think it is just a side effect of the flexible ankle - I have got used to adjusting my leg and stance fairly constantly when standing, as many two-footed people do, in fact.
Walking with an Echelon should be a pleasure - it's a rolling gait, which I would describe as 'circular', unlike the square action of the usual feet (imagine four sides of a box clunking down one side at a time - the Echelon should feel more like a wheel!)
Back to the limb-fitting centre, I'm afraid, and then you'll have to find a subtle way of asking for an expert to set it up properly...
Allen.
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pelly
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by pelly on Sept 15, 2013 12:23:22 GMT -7
Thanks for all your prompt replies.
Maybe I was a little quick in judging the Echelon harshly. I have today walked a couple of miles in the local woods and the foot performed well. The flat spot remains a constant niggle. I am still surprised at how sensitive I still seem to be to the choice of footwear. With my old CPI foot all of my shoes were flat, trainer style . I had hoped with the Echelon I could wear heels. ( no not 3" heels), but, a pair of sensible brogues still pitch me forwards uncomfortably.
I have a return appointment for 6 weeks time so I will have to address these things at that time.
Question for you Allen. I think I remember once seeing an article/video from you extolling the virtues of gel pads, if it was you, where can I get these from?
Regards to you all
David
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Post by allenuk on Sept 16, 2013 8:23:03 GMT -7
Blimey David, that almost makes me A Star, as now I know three people who've watched that clip. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxj3PjGthQsis where you'll find it. They were Spenco 2nd Skin Gel Circles (you'll see a tub of them on the clip). Simplyfeet.co.uk do them for about £35 a tub. Amazon do them, but they're dearer. At a pinch, you might get them on prescription, although I've never bothered (too much like hard work with my GP!) Shoes. Echelons are probably even more sensitive than usual prosthetic feet, so it might well be that you had your Echelon set up when you were wearing one sort of shoe, and now you're trying something different, it might throw out the adjustments. I used to dream of wearing boots, trainers, all sorts, but eventually I gave up, and bought two identical pairs of shoes, and now wear nothing else. Mine have big wide soles and heels (good for the Echelon apparently), and good for my 'normal' leg too. I think you might have to settle for some similar system, i.e. find your favourite shoe which covers all your activities, get the Echelon set up with that, and if you do want a change, well, make sure the heel/sole etc are very similar to your favourites. In fact there you are, that's your excuse to take yourself back to the limb-fitting centre - tell 'em you've got new shoes and think the foot needs adjusting. Good luck to you. Allen. |
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ann58
Female Member
Posts: 278
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Post by ann58 on Sept 16, 2013 18:08:48 GMT -7
Blimey, {whatever that means} YOU are a star Allen. No-one over here ever mentioned those pads to me. I dearly love to be able to wear my leg all day again without it killing me. I AM SOooo GLAD YOU MENTIONED THOSE ON HERE. I bought two tubs for around $80 in US {incl. shipping}
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Post by allenuk on Sept 17, 2013 3:35:13 GMT -7
Ann: wouldn't like to have to translate UK slang into US - fraught with dangers, that one. No-one over here mentioned the pads, at least no-one in the prosthetic industry. It was my physio who suggested them. My prosthetist seems to regard them as a bit of a badge of failure, I think, as it means his nice leg isn't as comfortable as I'd like! David: nowadays I use 2 gel pads, one on top of the other, and keep them in place with ChiroFix 50mm adhesive tape - it's low-tack, designed for feet, but if you've got a super-sensitive stump, then do test it GENTLY in a place that doesn't matter, as the very last thing you want is to pull the skin off when you remove the tape. Here's a link for the tape: www.simplyfeet.co.uk/chirofix-10m-roll.htmlAllen (no stars) |
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pelly
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by pelly on Oct 30, 2013 5:56:55 GMT -7
Just a quick update. As you have all suggested it was all a matter of alignment. I had everything checked out last week and as a result no flat spot and a beautiful smooth rollover.Chuffed to bits. (I will let Allen explain the expression to our American friends;-) )
I hope everyone is well and looking forward to Halloween.
David
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ann58
Female Member
Posts: 278
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Post by ann58 on Oct 31, 2013 12:59:47 GMT -7
Would that mean tickled pink, happy, overjoyed, grateful,stimulating???  Come on you two, let'er fly. In ohio we have cancelled Halloween due to inclement weather, stong winds, rain, etc., but not to fear, hey will be around to receive their treats Saturday night. |
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Post by allenuk on Nov 6, 2013 14:07:09 GMT -7
Excellent news, David.
Have you given up the idea of wearing several different types of shoe? I know some feet DO come with an adjustable heel, but I've never tried them, and guess they'd be even more pricey than the Echelon.
Ann58: you can be the site's resident translator from Old Style English to New World English. Bet you're chuffed to bits about that, too.
PS about the Echelon: I find it great except for one small aspect - using step-ladders. Then, if you put the wrong bit of your foot on the rung, the foot tilts oddly. You get used to it, and change your ladder-climbing accordingly. Me, I don't do much ladder-climbing any more!
A
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Come on you two, let'er fly. In ohio we have cancelled Halloween due to inclement weather, stong winds, rain, etc., but not to fear, hey will be around to receive their treats Saturday night.