Thrive Prosthetics

Name: Cruz Ochoa Age: 56 years old. Type of amputee: Left Below Knee How long have you been an amputee?...Continue reading

Name: Cruz Ochoa Age: 56 years old. Type of amputee: Left Below Knee How long have you been an amputee?...Continue reading

Name: Anthony Marco Lizaola Age: 30 Below knee amputee How long have you been an amputee?... 6 1/2 years How did it happen? I was rock climbing and a boulder broke loose. I took a 30 foot ground fall with the boulder and got crushed. The boulder dislodged because it was raining the day before and my tibia broke in 53 places. Have you ever experienced phantom limb pain? Yeah, every day. It feels like I’m walking barefoot on a hard surface and someone’s stepping on my toes. You learn to drown it out eventually but it is still there. How hard was it to walk again? So, my situation was a little different because my hips broke as well. It took about a month of walking on crutches and walkers. At about 3 months I was able to be fully independent. Learning to walk on my prosthesis was a little nerve racking because you don’t know if you can trust the device. Once your used to it, it becomes second nature. It’s weird being in your early twenties and being worried about falling and breaking a hip. When is being an amputee hardest? At night when I have to get up to use the bathroom. Other things like stadium seats that are tight and you can’t bend your knee all the way. Also, when there is a sore or an ingrown hair it is painful but you still have to get around and work. How do people normally respond when they see your prosthesis? Most people think it’s cool or inspiring. Little kids think it’s a robot leg and it’s awesome. Do you have any words of encouragement for new amputees? Days are going to be tough but it will be worth it to be able to get around without being confined to a wheel chair. What has helped you the most on your journey to walk again? Having a strong support system is probably most important because it makes it easier to get through the day. Elevated vacuum has also helped me out a lot. What is elevated vacuum? It is essentially a vacuum pump on your socket that creates a more secure fit. It helps with volume control and reduces the amount of sweating. How has your prosthetist been during your care? Clint has been a godsend because this is the most free and secure I’ve ever felt in a prosthesis. His knowledge with elevated vacuum has been extremely helpful for getting me the most comfortable and secure. What is the importance of having a good prosthetist? Your limb is never going to grow back so it’s important to find someone that your comfortable with and that you can trust with your mobility. At the end of the day they are the ones in charge of making your devices. What helps you remain positive on a day to day basis? My family and being able to get around like I did before my amputation. What kind of activities do you do? Rock climbing, cycling, snowboarding, long boarding, running and race car driving. Just being outside is the best. It has been harder to adapt to different kinds of activities but with a few adjustments I’ve been able to continue doing what I love.

Happy we could help out!