Hiking with a limb disability and/or as an amputee.
A guide for Prosthetic Limb Users
Hiking is a great all body workout and can be done by almost anyone provided they have the right equipment; you can hike with crutches, a prosthesis and/or a wheelchair. We have been inspired by Josephine’s 3 Peaks, 1 Week, 1 Leg challenge and thought it would be great to support other prosthetic limb users in their hiking adventures. That’s why we have gathered information from some active amputee hikers within the limb difference community. Here are their top tips for hiking with a prosthetic limb:
Preparation:
Adam Galeki, an LAKA hiker, says preparation is key to successful hiking. Making sure ahead of time that you have the right equipment, you have checked the weather, know your route and have the correct sustenance are all key items to be ticking off on your checklist. He also says:
“Check with your doctor AND prosthetist to make a plan, and to make sure the hardware you are wearing and your health are ready for a hike.”
Not all prosthetics are made equal and so ensuring yours can support you is important. After all they are not just an extension of your body but another piece of equipment.
A few other of Galeki’s top tips are;
Walk with a companion
Stick to trails rated “easy” or “moderate”
Start the hike at a slow pace, speed up as you go
Fully charged cellphone is a must
Notify spouse, family, or friends where you’re going and when you expect to get back
Equipment:
Equipment is a key component to consider when hiking as a prosthetic limb wearer. Here are some top tips from poles to shoes to sockets:
Poles:
There is a consensus across the hiking community that poles are the way to go! You can consider poles as a replacement for cructches providing support and stability. Key considerations for those with limb difference, when looking at which poles to purchase are;
Weight: You ideally want the poles to be as light weight as possible, as a prosthetics users ensuring that you are carrying as little additional weight as possible is really key.
Height: Poles that suit your height are essential and actually, having adjustable height poles can be even more important as they allow for you to change the height as your prosthetic changes and also to support you downhill and uphill.
Durability: This is important for any hiker, poles take a lot of bashing and pressure when hiking so ensuring yours are build to last is really key.
Grip: Whether you have an upper limb difference or not, you need to make sure the grip of your poles is right for you. There are different pole grip types and even adaptations that can be made to standard grips such as the use of Active Hands.
Gear junkie has a great list for you to take a look at here.
Shoes:
The approach to which shoes to wear varies from prosthetics user to prosthetics user. Galeki favours lightweight footwear but this doesn’t provide ankle support whereas Glen Barfield at Amputee Outdoors (RBKA) prefers a full hiking boot for stability but these are heavier requiring more strength in both prosthesis and residual limb. The important part is to try different types to find what’s right for you, consider that you will be wearing them a long time and they need to be comfortable. Also check with your prosthetist on what they would advise.
Socket and residual limb support:
Any long period using a prosthesis is going to take its toll on socket comfort and the residual limb and different prosthetic users have difference approaches. Bjoern Esser of @TheActiveAmputee takes cut out from old liners to use as pads for sore or loose spots in his socket and always packs overnight gear in case he is struck by fatigue or severe stump soreness. Barfield uses socket sleeves from Fred’s Legs. Oliver form Amped Life suggests a 48 rest from using your prosthesis before a hike and always keeps crutches in the car for when the prosthesis just isn’t right. Anti-friction creams can also be beneficial for any rubbing spots, as well as anti-antiperspirant and anti bacterial cleaners to minimise on infections causes through friction inside the liner, Amputee Store has a range of useful items here.
Wheelchair:
When hiking with a wheelchair its important to understand which routes you are taking and to see whether they have been made accessible. Wheelchairs such as the all-terrain chairs allow for off-road use for more exploration. Wheel Life have gathered some great top tips here.
Gloves:
If you find yourself taking a route with scrambling spots, a BAKA using ‘stubbies’ or if you are an upper limb prosthetics user having gloves that can take rough terrain can be really ‘handy’. If you want to go fingerless we recommend researching rowing gloves for a durable yet flexible glove.
So, go off on your adventures, climb mountains, see nature’s glory. To support Josephine in her hiking challenge to raise money for Positive Bones see here and for more information check out The Active Amputee’s Blog here: https://www.theactiveamputee.org/
