Dr. Princess: fitness

A lot of my non-rehab friends have been asking me how I feel about the fact that Oscar Pistorius, a bilateral below-knee amputee, competed in the Olympics. As a physical therapist, I see a lot of patients status post amputation. I don't really do pediatric rehab, so I don't see too many folks with congenital conditions that require amputations early on, like Mr. Pistorius experienced. Most of my peeps needed an amputation because of some sort of trauma or, more likely in the South, they ate too much sugar and lost some circulation. I love working with amputees because it's such a fun challenge. It's neurorehab, because I get to teach them how to adjust their balance and how to trust a new point of weightbearing. It's orthopedic rehab, because I have to help them achieve and/or maintain appropriate strength and flexibility necessary for daily life. And I get to lecture a lot about things like safety, and I like that because it makes me feel smart. The interesting thing I've noticed about my amputee patients is that they all ask the same question: "Will I be able to run?"

Yep. Everyone from the young, athletic guys in the motorcycle accidents to the obese old ladies with Type 2 Diabetes. They all ask me that question, and I always ask the same thing in response: "Well, did you run before?" Most of them say no.

A lot of people think that amputation of a limb results in some kind of high-tech replacement, which will ultimately grant them some kind of superhuman ability that they didn't have before.

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In reality, that hand belongs to Luke Skywalker and THAT'S NOT REAL LIFE (unfortunately).

So, when people ask me if Oscar Pistorius has some kind of advantage over the other athletes, I quickly say no. I know there's all kinds of conflicting data out there saying one way or another, but that's how I feel based on my experience. Now, I understand the push for him to compete in the Paralympic Games instead (after all, they initially began as the "World Wheelchair and Amputee Games"). But in my opinion, those games are for even more significantly adapted sports. Ever heard of quad rugby, otherwise known as murderball?

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By the way, I highly recommend that documentary. Even if you don't work in neurorehab with patients with spinal cord injuries, those guys are entertaining and inspiring!

Anyway, after watching Pistorius run the other day, he really didn't look that different from the other athletes. I don't think his prostheses put him at an advantage or at a disadvantage. The only thing that looked different to me was that he has a bit more hip flexion, but that's probably just a compensatory mechanism he developed in order to achieve enough foot clearance. What do you think?

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I'm glad that Pistorius was able to compete with athletes who don't require adaptations to their sport. I hope that this opens doors for others who hope to do the same.