Tight fit for the Robo-Leg on the drive home from the prosthetic clinic.
They will add an additional joint to the leg on the next visit so that I can rotate it out of the way.
Was able to able to walk up and down the 15-step flight of stairs when I got home, but not as smoothly as I’ve been doing it on one leg. That should improve with a day or two of practice. My balance was better than expected – no doubt a testament to the $89,000 computer-controlled leg (Medicare reimbursement was $60k).
Congratulations! Wishing you a smooth recovery of full function. (Lots of exercise, naturally.) Be patient. My recovery took over half a year but the effort eventually pays off.
Wendy
On Wednesday, my prosthetist installed a 360 degree swivel joint at the knee that allows me to rotate the lower limb like a windmill. I can now get the knee well out of the way of the steering wheel.
Had my first visit with the above knee amputee (AKA) rehab team at the OHSU campus in downtown Portland on Thursday. Seeing that I was highly motivated, they’ve set me up with weekly physical therapy visits and believe that I could regain my balance and walk “naturally” on the new leg as soon as mid-April.
Here’s a video of me on the stairs.
(Note: You need the $120,000 “Genium C Leg” with the motorized knee to walk up the stairs “foot over foot”.) {{ LOL }}
I have not really tuned into the Motley Fool forums in a long time. Just today I’m reading about Intercst’s leg surgery. I was sorry to read the original posts and still am sorry you have to go through this, but I’m glad you are doing what can be done to get on with your life as well as possible. I wish you many more healthy years, even as you navigate this speed bump.
One other thing: One of your posts was about how the fee for electric cars was more than you spend on gas. But now I see you’re driving a Tesla. When did that happen?
I bought a used Model Y, directly from Tesla, back in March 2025 when prices plummeted during Elon’s DOGE period. Paid $21,000 for it after the $4,000 used EV tax credit. Though I’ll have to pay back the $4,000 tax credit in April when I file my taxes since I was unable to limit my income to $75,000/yr for 2025.
And thanks for your kind wishes regarding my medical disaster . I’m expected to return to my previous level of activity, and since I’m dealing with it well, my doctors don’t expect the amputation to reduce my life expectancy.
