Unlocking the Ottobock C-Leg: Life-Changing Tips and Advice from Fellow Users!
Finding out which prosthesis suits you can be overwhelming. Matching it to your lifestyle with features that tick all your boxes is crucial when deciding what's best.
Did you know the Ottobock C-Leg is trusted by over 100,000 users worldwide?
It has significantly improved walking safety for above-the-knee amputees, enhancing their quality of life, confidence, and trust in their prosthesis. One of the life-transforming features of the C-Leg is its innovative stumble and fall prevention, which reduces unexpected falls. Coupled with its adaptive downhill safety resistance, it provides stability and control on steep terrains, ensuring a confident walking experience. These advancements reduce falls and empower C-Leg users to embrace many activities, from everyday chores to physical demands at work, keeping up with children, exercising, and traveling with newfound freedom and self-confidence.
A little about my personal journey. I was born with a limb difference and have been walking on a prosthesis since I was two. I can still remember how excited I was to be offered a trial for the C-Leg in 2017; I couldn't wait to see what and how this could improve my life. At the time, my daughter was just two years old, and I was constantly worrying about my prosthesis giving way while carrying her - falling without awareness is when your mechanical knee just gives way. This can be from clipping your toe on the ground or shifting weight, causing you to fall before you even know it. It's a common fear for above-the-knee amputees. Switching from a mechanical knee to the C-Leg was life-changing, and my falls stopped. I can't fully express how much the C-Leg has enhanced my life. The downhill safety resistance, stumble and fall prevention features have allowed me to navigate uneven terrain, tackle challenging paths, and go on adventures to places I never imagined.
Food for thought! In 2019, I climbed Kilimanjaro with a group of amputees for LimbPower charity. Kiera Roche (CEO of LimbPower) and I were the only Ottobock C-Leg users and the only amputees not to have any technical faults with our prostheses in such harsh conditions. Since then, I have known that the C-Leg is something special.
However, we are all different, and what works for one may not work for another. So, I talked to a group of incredible Ottobock C-Leg users to get the lowdown on their top tips, advice, and life-changing benefits they have all experienced since making the switch.
Martin Yoxall - an active fifty-six-year-old and has been an amputee since he was twenty-one. He loves riding his motorbike and has a YouTube channel showcasing his bike adventures. When Martin was offered an MPK prescription, of all the options available, he chose the C-Leg as he felt its features best suited his lifestyle. Martin explains, "Straight away, I felt more stable, and I was impressed with how it automatically adapted to different walking speeds without me even noticing. It has a very fluid and natural gait, and in the four years I've worn a C-Leg, I haven't fallen over once. The knee locks very quickly by itself, just by standing still for a second, which makes for a natural stance when standing. This function is handy when I have stopped at traffic lights on my motorbike and need to hold my bike stable."
One of Martin's other passions is hiking. "Walking has been less tiring since getting the C-Leg, allowing me to walk much further! I challenged myself by participating in the Brighton 10km and a hiking trip with a group of amputees on the Exmoor coastal path for two days, covering 40km. I would not have been able to achieve this without my C-Leg! One of my top tips is to take a USB charger camping to charge the knee via a power pack; this on motorcycle touring trips alone has been a game-changer!"
Follow Martin on YouTube: HalfManHalfPirate.
Sarah Dransfield - an inclusive model and social advocate; she lost her leg to cancer in 2012 when she was 16 years old. She is an Ambassador for Project Youth Cancer and is passionate about advocating that there is still an incredible life after cancer and amputation, and she helps others to overcome their journey to recovery.
"I chose the Ottobock C.Leg as this best suited my lifestyle, and I can be as active as I choose to be. One of the features that has helped me is the downhill safety resistance, which I noticed immediately - especially as I live in a hilly area in the UK. This feature has improved my mobility and confidence to take on life's challenges - big or small. Also, the stumble and fall feature is unbelievable at eliminating any falls - I now experience nearly none. I can now walk down hills easily and confidently, walk further with less energy, and without thinking my prosthesis will give way underneath me. I believe I can achieve anything with my C-Leg!"
As an amputee, you'll understand that feeling comfortable with a new prosthesis takes lots of time and patience, and it can be an arduous journey. Sarah shares some tips on getting used to your new C-Leg.
"At first, it will feel different from your previous prosthesis; it takes time to get used to the functions of the microprocessor knee, and after a while, it will become second nature, and you will start to feel the benefits! It also pairs well with a height-adjustable foot - which I personally love! Another bit of advice is to get into the habit of charging your C-Leg every night, and I remember this by charging my mobile phone and prosthesis together".
Follow Sarah on Instagram: Sarah Dransfield.
Sajan Sachdeva - a double above-the-knee amputee who lost both his legs and suffered severe burns. In 2002, at 9 years old, Sajan accidentally touched an 11,000-volt wire with two fingers on his right hand - a shock enough to have killed 6 people and light a whole street. Three weeks after his tragic accident, Sajan had to have both legs amputated. His prosthetist recommended that he switch to a C-Leg, as his previous prosthesis was very uncomfortable, and he sustained injuries from many unexpected falls.
Sajan explains, "Before I received my C-Legs, I struggled to keep up with my studies at university. I often had to go home, take off my legs, and rest. After surgery, I changed my prostheses to C-Legs; my activity levels instantly increased. I could go to university and study all day without limitations or stress. I am so grateful that I received both my C-Legs at the start of my corporate career. Life has improved so much in terms of my professional work life and physical fitness. For those considering changing their prosthesis to a C-Leg, I firmly believe it allows you to do so much more in your life, and it really changed the game entirely for me!" He continues to express that his C-Legs have enabled him to work, walk, and wear his prostheses for longer without unexpected falls and injuries. "I can do so much more at the gym than I used to, so physically and mentally, it makes you a lot more capable and helps you perform better in life."
Check out Sajan's Instagram: Sajan Sachdeva.
Cor Bon - confidently describes himself as 73 years young; he is enjoying retirement and embracing a newfound life and love of golf after amputation. Cor explains, "I used to play lots of sports in my youth, and I competed regionally in handball - all the jumping damaged my knees, resulting in having both knee transplants, and in 2022, I developed a bacterial infection and had my left leg amputated. During my rehabilitation, I had a nasty fall, which knocked my confidence, and I tried out various different prostheses. I chose the C-Leg, which made me feel more stable and safe."
After receiving the C-Leg, Cor explains, "I was so pleased to be able to cycle again, but what was more important to me was that I was back to playing and navigating the golf course. I feel more stable walking, and using the golf mode via the app provides me fantastic stability during my golf swing. The C-Leg has given me back my life, socializing with friends, cycling with my partner, and especially now being able to compete in golf competitions again."
"My biggest tip is you are never too old to recover from amputation; it takes time and lots of hard work, but keep trying and accept the challenges - you will overcome and get your life back!"
Thank you, everyone. It's been incredibly inspiring hearing how the C-Leg has transformed your lives. Your advice will undoubtedly guide and support others on their journey to finding a suitable prosthesis. I wish you all continued success and flourishing experiences ahead.