Amputee Golf Charities, Article Henry C-Leg

The following is an article that appeared in the Shelbyville Sentinel-News on March 24, 2004. It is reprinted here with permission from the Sentinel-News.

That's what he calls his new "leg", a computerized prosthetic device called a C-Leg, which provides a much move natural walking gait than previous devices. And just as important to the avid golfer, it has a rotary ankle in the foot that allows for a natural golf swing. "My other leg was a good one", Brown said. "With this one, it's almost like just walking."

With the new prosthetic technology, nearly any amputee can maintain an active lifestyle, said Jewish Hospital Shelbyville Physical Therapist Phillip Herrell. "Improvements in technology now persons who have lost a limb to actually run," Herrell said.

The C-Leg, developed in Germany, is bringing increased mobility to amputees around the world. By sensing pressure on the heel or toe, a batter-powered microprocessor in the device locks and unlocks the knee during movement. The lighter material used in construction of the C-Leg also makes the prostheses easier on the rest of the patient's body. That's important to Brown, who not only enjoys golf as a hobby but also works driving a tractor for a company that renovates pastures on horse farms.

Brown lost his leg in traffic accident 10 years ago. Despite that he continued to train Arabian horses and ran Henry Brown Stables in Finchville. But the weight of his first prostheses hurt his back and he hand to give up the horse farm.

Once a week Brown shows up at JHS's Rehab Services clinic for therapy and to have Matt Hayden, of Kentucky Prosthetics and Orthotics, make any necessary adjustments to the C-Leg. A change in body weight as little as a pound will affect the fit of the prosthetic.

On a recent Thursday afternoon, Brown gave his newly adjusted leg a workout on the treadmill and the stair steps at the Rehab clinic. Meanwhile, Hayden worked with another amputee, Tracy Warford, taking measurements for a new prosthesis for her. She lost her leg because of complications from Buerger's disease, a condition that cuts of circulation to the extremities. Hayden will make her a new leg.

While Warford was getting fitted, another amputee, Cheryl Calhoun, talked to her about the advantages of a new device. "Tracy, you can do anything you did before," Calhoun told her.

Calhoun herself had lost her leg in an auto accident and went through 17 surgeries trying to save her foot and lower leg before the doctor finally amputated the foot and a portion of the leg. Calhoun now works in the Family Support Services for the Multi-Purpose Community Action Agency.

Brown and Calhoun spend considerable time counseling other amputees and they are part of an informal support network for amputees in the community. Brown estimated there are about 50 amputees in the county.

Brown informally counsels individual amputees. But he also has made his effort to help amputees a public project. Brown is co-chair of the National Amputee Golf Association Tour's Tournament Players Championship, which will be held in Shelbyville June 4-6. Lst year's event attracted more than 70 players from the United States and Canada.

The tournament, the golf, is not really what it's about. Our purpose is two-fold: to provide fellowship and support for the disabled - to implant in them the idea that quitting not an option - and about support our youth scholarship fund, Brown said. "it's about empowering these wonderful people to have a successful and productive life."

Disease is most common cause of amputations

In 1996, just under 1.3 million Americans were amputees, according to the Amputee Coalition of America.

By Far, the most common cause of amputations was dysvascular disease, most commonly diabetes. Birth defects were the second most common cause followed by trauma and malignancy. Amputations are the most common in adults over the age of 65.

While amputation is usually the result of illness, it can lead to health problems. Most common are problems associated with sedentary lifestyle. Residual limb pain and phantom pain are also common problems associated with amputation. Amputees frequently face skin problems associated with the prostheses.

For more information about amputation and prosthetic devices contact the Amputee Coalition of America's Nation Limb Loss Information Center, 1-888-267-5669.