The Ski Slopes Beckon
Leg Amputees
Leg amputees, with the right equipment and/or artificial limb, can enjoy the exhilarating experience of downhill skiing. The modifications that each individual requires will depend on their level of amputation(s).
When learning to ski, there are a few tips to consider. Keeping the tips of the skis together can be a challenge. A ski bra is a two piece metal device that attaches to the tips of the ski, and prevents the skis from crossing (causing the person to fall), while still allowing for snowplowing and turning.
Perseverance is the key, especially when teaching young children. A child's ski harness can help by allowing the teacher to control direction and speed while giving the child some independence.
Above-knee Leg Amputees
- Trak III method - below- and above-knee amputees who do not wear an artificial limb while skiing use the Trak III method - skiing on the sound leg only and using outriggers.
- Outriggers - are used for stability. They resemble ski poles (or forearm crutches) with mini skis attached to the end of the poles.
Après-ski leg - for above-knee amputees who ski using the Trak III method, the necessity of donning the prosthesis again after skiing can be tiresome. One above-knee amputee had a ski peg designed to facilitate mobility in the ski lodge - it had a socket designed to fit right over his adapted ski suit.
- Ferrier Coupler - the Ferrier Coupler allows an amputee to wear an artificial limb to the ski hill, pull up the ski pants leg and remove the lower part of the leg below the socket. The leg can simply be reattached to the socket after skiing to provide mobility and independence in getting to and from the ski lodge and while in the lodge. The socket is then kept on as a stump protector on the slopes.
Custom ski leg with knee joints - a ski leg with two knee joints was designed for an above-knee skier. One knee joint was for walking, and the other for skiing. When the leg is used for skiing, the upper knee joint is locked and the lower knee joint is used - controlled by a compression spring - as it keeps the leg in the flexed position required for skiing. With the amputee's weight on the coil spring, the ski knee can flex as the amputee goes down the hill but will not collapse and buckle. An adjustable ankle to permit the foot to flex to keep the ski parallel to the hill when going down the slopes was also incorporated.
Ski leg with elastic strap - another option for an above-knee ski leg is an elastic strap at the front of the knee to limit the flexion of the knee. The foot can be placed at the appropriate angle to provide the necessary forward tilt for skiing.
Below-knee Amputees
Occasional Skiers - some occasional below-knee skiers use their standard daily limb to ski - they may use an auxiliary suspension sleeve to help keep the leg secure and adapt the ankle/foot position to get the downhill skiing tilt position.- Ski-Tur - the Ski-Tur was designed by Cliff Chadderton, CEO of The War Amps - it attaches to the front of the ski on the side of the artificial limb. It permits leg amputees to complete downhill-skiing manoeuvres which would otherwise be difficult with the artificial leg encased in a heavy ski boot. It is controlled by two hand grips and lets the skier steer, snowplow, and brake.
- Outriggers - (see above-knee) may also be of assistance to below-knee amputees who require extra stability when skiing or for those who choose to ski without an artificial limb.
- Avid Skiers - More frequent and avid skiers have a
special ski leg designed - the ski leg will have the foot placed in the required tilt position, have side irons at the knee attached to a thigh corset to provide better control of the limb, and often this extends to include a waist belt to provide even more control. Four-way joints for the knee hinges allow a small amount of side-to-side knee motion which in turn will allow the amputee to increase the bite of the edge of the ski during turns.
- Custom knee brace - Cliff Chadderton later used a ski leg without the standard side irons and thigh corset but instead had a custom knee brace designed. It was worn over the artificial limb and extended up over the knee to provide control and to protect his knee.