AQUATIC PROSTHETICS

Orthotics & Prosthetics

Make the most of summer with help from Team Tillges!

Summertime can mean so many things for individuals that have felt a longing for warm weather. It means going for walks, hikes, and bike rides again and getting outside to explore new outdoor activities. For many individuals, summer indicates a return to open lakes, pools, and warm bodies of water. A return to the open water presents fun and unique challenges for each person to find out what enables them to enjoy and experience relaxation and fun with friends and family in the great outdoors. Team Tillges is here to support your summer water-based activities, and we want you to feel that you are capable of handling ALL that summer has to offer!

Below-the-Knee Prosthetic Water Feet Options

When it comes to below-the-knee swimming and water-resistant prosthetics, options can be limited. It really depends on your preference for what activity needs must be met. here are a few that might fit all your aquatic needs. One popular design that allows the BK amputee to seamlessly transition between walking and swimming is the plantarflexion swim foot design (Ottobock Freestyle Swim foot). The Ottobock Freestyle Swim foot allows the user to go from a 3/8” (10mm) heel height setting for walking, directly to a 70-degree plantar flexion ankle for swimming with a push of a button at the ankle joint. This system incorporates the use of a regular foot shell, so you will be able to put some standard swimming flippers on your feet, and off you go!

Another below-the-knee prosthetic option called “The Fin”, allows amputees unable, or reluctant to use a plantarflexion, push-button, design on their prosthetic foot for swimming. This design incorporates a fin into the pylon of the prosthesis, while the prosthetic foot remains fixated in a walking, normal heel height arrangement. It makes for a much easier transition from walk-to-swim, and back again, completely avoiding the necessity of flexing the ankle for swimming purposes. This design also comes with a foot shell for the prosthetic foot, but there is no need to wear swimming flippers, due to the fin design on the pylon of the device. Both designs are unique to swimming and to aquatic activities, but Tillges is here to help you find out what will work best for your below-the-knee prosthetic swimming needs!

A second fixed-ankle prosthetic option for active indoor and/or outdoor amputees that enjoy spending time in the water for hunting, canoeing/kayaking, boating, swimming, beach days, watersports, standing in the pool etc... is the Rush H2O Prosthetic foot. This prosthetic foot might be right for you if you need a prosthetic foot that is meant for getting wet in indoor and/or outdoor settings and for non-invasive activities that are ideal for going barefoot. This foot is capable of handling extracurricular aquatic hobbies and activities without complications due to its slip resistant, Vibram sole and custom-molded rubber toe wrap. This prosthetic foot would be worn without the need for a foot shell, as the sole of the foot would act as the shoe. This foot also comes in a low-profile option (Fig. 5)

Above-the-Knee Prosthetic Swim Knees

Aqua Knee from Ottobock

The Aqua-Knee is a small, lightweight, water-resistant, monocentric hydraulic prosthetic knee that lower-activity amputees can utilize for aquatic exercising, swimming, and therapy. It allows the user to activate a locking mechanism to ensure knee extension during ambulation and swimming in stance phase of gait. This product allows for dynamic flexion and extension resistances when unlocked and can be adjusted separately from one another for the appropriate amount of swing phase control needed for your particular needs.

X3 Microprocessor Knee (MPK) from Ottobock

The Ottobock X3 is a K3-K4 activity level microprocessor knee, and has an IP rating of 68, which is currently the highest waterproof rating on the market for microprocessor knees. This knee has all the same features a K3 MPK has, but this knee is built with a few added features. It is optimal for intuitive or deliberate stance options, which is one of the best features of this knee. It has a multitude of other functions for physical activity as well such as: a stairs and obstacles function, a stumble recovery feature, a Walk2Run function, a dedicated running mode, and a sitting function. There are 5 programmable “MyModes” for this knee as well, which can be handy when you are out in the water, or out for a run and want to switch between modes quickly with the touch of a button. The most important thing about this knee for swimming purposes is that the knee joint and the AXON tube adapter are waterproof and corrosion resistant in salt, fresh, and chlorinated water! The X3 has the highest IP Rating of any MPK on the market, so it can take long periods of time being submerged under water. This knee also comes with a rugged frame and protector to protect the vital components of the knee from outdoor and heavy use. If there were one word to describe this microprocessor knee it would be “versatility”!

Lower Extremity Custom 3-D Printed Devices

A Custom Swim Fin from Tillges Orthotics & Prosthetics may be your ticket to superior mobility in the water! We can customize your device to make it how you need it to best suit your aquatic needs and circumstances. We can 3-D scan your limb and customize a 3-D print-out of a flexible and durable material, all with a completely unique and individualized design. We will work with you on developing a functional and long-lasting device that enables you to thrive in aquatic environments!

Figure 9a: Tillges 3-D Custom Printed Device

Figure 9b: Tillges 3-D Custom Printed Device

Upper Extremity Options

Tillges Custom Swim Paddles

Figure 10: Tillges Custom Upper Extremity Swim Paddles

Tillges O&P utilizes the industry’s leading 3-D scanning, carving, and printing technology to capture the best possible fit for you. Work with our team to create upper extremity swimming prostheses and take your capabilities to the water! Swimming with your legs is only half of the full swimming motion, but re-gaining upper extremity mobility in the water can make a huge difference in underwater diving, snorkeling, scuba diving, floating, treading water and many other movements, allowing you to return to normal upper extremity swimming motions. With durable, flexible and waterproof 3-D printed material, we will make your swimming prostheses fully customized to your swimming needs!

TRS Freestyle Swimming Device

The TRS Freestyle Swimming Device is a recreational accessory designed to be used with a custom swimming prosthesis for those interested in high performance or competitive swimming capability. The design which mimics a folding wing reduces resistance during stroke recovery but flares open to provide maximum resistance during the power stroke. The device can be rotated to optimize various swimming strokes and styles. The wings can be fixed in a flared position for treading water and water aerobic exercise. It can attach to an existing prosthesis as a terminal device on the end of an upper extremity socket, or it can be used independently of the prosthetic socket.

Come visit Tillges Orthotics & Prosthetics for an evaluation of custom swimming fins and prosthetics today! Call us at 651-772-2665 to schedule your complimentary consultation.

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