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Amputee Bicycling: Great for Body and Mind
By Bruce Hibbett Many new amputees are under the mistaken impression
that the loss of their limb means the loss of mobility and a
sedentary lifestyle. However, statistics show that most amputees
are able to return to a level of activity they had before the
amputation surgery. Many walk, hike, bowl, golf - and some even run
or jog. Being active is good for the body and mind and helps
develop and maintain the muscles of the residual limb so the socket
fits more securely.
 One of the more popular forms of exercise for
amputees is bicycling. Riding a bike is easy on the ankle and knee
joints, increases muscle strength, and the aerobic aspect of
bicycling is good for the heart. Bicycling provides a way for
amputees to develop balance and coordination and is an excellent
way to increase range of motion in the hips and knees. And hey, its
fun to feel the wind in your face as you race down the road just
like when you were a kid.
Okay, so you think bicycling is something you want to try, but
youre not sure how to get started. First, check with your doctor.
As we age, it is more and more important to get those dreaded but
necessary checkups to make sure there are no medical problems,
especially with the heart, joints, and circulatory system. Next,
check with your prosthetist and make sure your prosthesis is
designed for the repetitive pedaling motions. Most prostheses today
are made of high-tech metals and are built to take all kinds of
punishment, but its best to know if any adjustments are necessary
to the foot for bicycling.
So, everything checks out health-wise, and you're confident in
your prosthesis, but you're still not sure if bicycling is for you?
One easy way to start is to try out a stationary bike and see how
it feels. Stationary bikes are plentiful at any health club, and I
have even seen some in prosthetic shops. Get on the bike, ride at a
moderate pace for five minutes, and see how it feels.
Tips for Safety, Success
Once you feel comfortable on a stationary bike, you are ready
for the real thing. Here are some tips based on my experiences as
an amputee bicyclist:
Bicycles - Sports equipment can be costly, and
bicycling is no exception. However, many low-cost bikes are on the
market (I have a friend who rode her bike, purchased from a
discount store, across the country with no major breakdowns). These
bikes may not have all the bells and whistles, but they are very
functional and will provide the amputee with years of good
riding.
Bicycle Seats - There are many bike seats on
the market, and, unless you are a hardcore rider, the seat that
comes with the bike will probably do nicely. As for seat height,
the seat should be adjusted so that your feet feel comfortable on
the pedals and your knees do not hyperextend as you ride. Leaving a
bit of flexion in the knees will help reduce strain and allow you
more power on the upstroke.
Clothing - There is a lot of flashy bike
clothing available, but to start I would recommend comfortable
shorts and shirt. If you ride in long pants, make sure to secure
the pant leg near the ankle with a rubber band so the loose pant
fabric wont become caught in the chain. And of course, dont forget
the all-important bike helmet, which can be purchased at most
discount stores or bike shops.
Pedals - One problem most amputees encounter is
the placement of the prosthetic foot on the pedals. When I first
started riding after my amputation, my prosthetic foot tended to
slip off the pedal, making riding very frustrating. One option is
to secure the prosthetic foot to the pedal. A low-cost method is
the toe clip, which consists of a cage that partially surrounds the
top of the pedal, securing the foot. As you ride, you simply slip
the front part of the shoe into the clip, and the foot is secured
to the pedal.
A do-it-yourself method is the use of Velcro®
(its good for just about everything). In this method, a strip of
Velcro is secured to the pedal, and the bicyclist wraps another
strip around his foot. When the foot makes contact with the pedal,
the Velcro strips adhere to one another.
A more expensive method is to purchase special pedals with
matching biking shoes that actually clip into the pedal.
One word of caution when using clips: it takes some time to get
used to clipping in (and more importantly, clipping out when
stopping), so practice in a safe area until you get the hang of
it.
You may also check with your prosthetist to see if your foot can
be adjusted. Most feet are aligned so that the foot is slightly
toed out, which is the proper alignment for walking. If you feel
brave and your prosthetist recommends it, you can get your own
Allen wrenches and adjust the foot to "toe in" so the foot moves
more efficiently while pedaling. Just make sure to mark the
position of your foot prior to the adjustment so you can make
readjustments after you ride.
Bike trails - Regarding places to ride, some
states have bicycling paths marked on state highways. And most
parks have bicycling trails designed for all levels of biking. In
addition, many states are converting old railroad lines to bike
trails ("rails to trails"). The advantages here include gentle
grades, and the trails are restricted to walkers and bicyclists. My
home state of Missouri has an excellent rails-to-trails system
called the Katy Trail that extends across most of the state. I have
been on the Katy Trail many times, and it is a great way to enjoy a
leisure ride and see lots of varied scenery.
Becoming an amputee does not mean the loss of an active
lifestyle. You can return to the activities you enjoyed prior to
your limb loss as long as you practice moderation and monitor any
health issues.
Helpful Websites
For more information on amputee bicycling, here are some of the
websites I have found useful:
- http://www.mtb-amputee.com - This site is more
for those into mountain biking but it contains a lot of useful tips
for amputees;
- http://www.amputee-online.com/amputee/onyerbike.html -
A good site overall that contains a lot of information on
positioning, seat height, etc; and
- http://www.onelegtim.com/bicycle.html -
Another good site by a retired police officer with many tips,
particularly for above-knee amputees.So stop procrastinating, get
out on that bike, and enjoy this great activity. Its healthy, easy
on the joints, and it feels good to be out enjoying life from a
bicycle seat.
Bruce Hibbett, a BK amputee, lives in Missouri and is employed as a physical therapist assistant. He was one of three amputee riders in the 2003 Amputees Across America transcontinental bicycle ride. 
Table Of Contents - January 2005
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