P.W. is a 61 year old male who suffered a major stroke 14 years ago because of a blood disorder. He was left with a paralyzed left arm and leg. Two years later he required a left BK amputation because of a blockage in his paralyzed leg.

CASE SPECIFIC CHALLENGES:

P.W. was fitted with a traditional prosthetic device with limited success because of pain and discomfort at the stump site. His only secondary option for mobility was a wheelchair as crutches and traditional walkers were not feasible because of his paralysis. The weakness in his left upper extremity and generalized muscle atrophy failed to provide him with the lateral stability needed for prolonged mobility. The stroke impaired his depth perception limiting his ability to feel secure and confident during movement. The traditional LegSim was not an option as P.W. could not lift the device with one arm.

CASE SPECIFIC SOLUTION:

The LegSim was modified, similar to a pendulum, allowing it to move forward and straight. It was rebalanced so that P.W. was able to lift it with his sound hand. Lateral stabilizers were added to address the problem of lateral stability thereby compensating for his lack of depth perception.

CASE SPECIFIC RESULTS:

P.W. found the modified LegSim a major improvement noting he felt "more secure," "less likely to fall," and "generally improved balance." The learning curve was short, requiring minimal instruction and training before he felt comfortable. The narrow width of the device allowed him to fit into narrow spaces in his home performing activities of normal daily life i.e. washing dishes. P.W. felt more confident in knowing he could exit buildings quickly if an emergency situation arose.

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