Hitting the Slopes at Cypress
/This January, Brittany Pousett, Certified Prosthetist at Barber Prosthetics Clinic, attended a skiing and snowboarding event at Cypress Mountain on the North Shore. The OttoBock sponsored event allowed amputees to try out new feet and knee designs that are designed to enable better skiing and snowboarding. Several amputees, of all different skill levels, from beginner to advanced, got to try out the new equipment on the hill and offer their reviews and to discuss ideas. Adjustments could be made right on the ski hill to allow more comfort upon hearing feedback from the participants. This gave patients the opportunity to communicate to prosthetists and to OttoBock, their experiences with the equipment and how they could improve it.
Overall, it was a positive experience and one that allowed for more discussion about ideas on how to better the designs for more advanced recreational prosthetic devices for snow sports.
One new idea that is being developed for snow riding amputees would enable transtibial amputees to have the ability to connect their foot directly to the skis with no need for a boot! All of these new developments in prosthetics could allow any amputee that skis, snowboards, or even wakeboards, to do that sport more comfortably, efficiently, safely and enjoyably.
This is a fun and exciting step towards bettering the world of recreational prosthetics and the lives of many amputees.
If any patients are interested in trying out the new foot and knee designs so they can hit the slopes, please contact Barber Prosthetics Clinic and we would be happy to set up a demo for you.