Advanced Prosthetics - July 2020

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JULY 2020

An Office That Supports Its Patients And the Adaptive Community at Large

In 2017, I had an accident while sightseeing at Shoshone Falls. I slipped off the edge of a cliff and fell 50–60 feet, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that I broke my whole body. When I landed, my left arm took the brunt of the impact and saved my head from being damaged. I’m alive because of my left arm. Unfortunately, even though doctors tried to save my left arm for seven months after the accident, the damage it sustained in the fall was too extensive. Without giving too many details about the exact nature of the injury, in order for me to maintain the highest quality of life possible, they eventually had to amputate the arm. I was later fitted with a bionic arm, bionic hand, and electric elbow. That fall was the worst moment of my life, but since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to have some good moments because of it. I initially interviewed with a few prosthetists around the Treasure Valley, but none of them were as helpful as Advanced Prosthetics & Orthotics (APO). For several reasons, I’m incredibly grateful for the support and care I received from everyone at Advanced Prosthetics & Orthotics. Their attention to detail and desire to truly understand their patients’ wants and needs is unparalleled. I’ve spoken with a lot of people here in town who visit other prosthetists and are frustrated because they don’t feel cared for at their offices. At Advanced Prosthetics & Orthotics, they’ll bend over backward for you to make sure you’re comfortable, even for what may seem like the smallest issue.

APO also does so much to support the adaptive community outside of its offices. At the last biathlon put on by the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF),

they were right there on the sidelines helping anyone with adjustments to their prosthetics as needed. It didn’t matter if the participants were their patients or not; they just earnestly wanted to help wherever they were needed.

APO partners with CAF on several projects, events, and grants. Because of one of those CAF grants, I will be able to get a prosthetic that I can wear while paddleboarding with my family this summer. My wife, my kids, and I are all big fans of any way to enjoy the outdoors, so anything that helps me be there with them is a huge blessing. The accident I had three years ago was horrible, but I’m glad that because of it I’m able to be a part of a community where we understand one another’s struggles. On top of that, I’m also grateful for the tremendous help APO has been these past two and a half years. Without their adamant dedication to help their patients, I don’t know where I would be in terms of prosthetic care. Because of all the support I’ve received, I can enjoy a life that feels increasingly more normal.

–Chris Manning

“At Advanced Prosthetics & Orthotics, they’ll bend over backward for you to make sure you’re comfortable, even for what may seem like the smallest issue.”

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ANCIENT TOES TO BIONIC ARMS

A Brief History of Prosthetics

THE POWER OF THE GOLDEN SPICE

For thousands of years, doctors and researchers have sought to create aesthetically pleasing prosthetics that would give amputees full function of the limbs they lost, as well as a sense of wholeness. Prosthetics in the Ancient World The earliest example of a prosthetic ever found was a big-toe prosthetic on the mummy of an Egyptian noblewoman. She most likely needed it in order to continue wearing the type of sandals that were common in Egypt at the time. In ancient Rome, General Marcus Sergius had a prosthesis for his right hand that let him hold a shield in battle. He went on to have an illustrious military career after that. While these early examples of prosthetics were crude, they still worked to improve the wearer’s function in their chosen activity. The Many Prosthetists of the Renaissance and Beyond Like so many revolutionary advancements in science and technology, the invention of prostheses as we know them today happened incrementally. Brilliant mind after brilliant mind built on the progress of those who came before them. Ambroise Pare invented the lockable knee and adjustable harness for leg prostheses. Pieter Verduyn included a leather thigh socket and external hinges in his below-knee prosthesis. James Potts’ later design took these elements and made them aesthetically pleasing. His design was the standard in the U.S. until the Civil War. War Spurs on Further Development The Civil War created an unprecedented number of amputees in the U.S. James Hanger, a Confederate engineer and the first amputee of the war, designed and patented the most advanced prosthesis of the time. Hanger’s designs became the standard until after World War II, when researchers began using new, lightweight materials such as plastic and aluminum to improve function. Then in 1975, Ysidro Martinez invented a

People have raved about many superfoods over the past few decades, but one that’s garnered notable attention is turmeric. Fittingly known as the golden spice due to its orange-yellow hue, turmeric is famous for being a crucial part of Indian cuisine, ayurvedic medicine, and Chinese medicine. But does turmeric actually help people? And if so, how? Let’s start with the basics to find out. What’s in turmeric? First, it’s important to know what the spice contains and why researchers are so excited about it. Turmeric is packed with a chemical known as curcumin, which has been shown to provide anti-inflammatory effects, pain relief, antioxidants, and a decrease in the risk of cancer. Pro Tip: You should not consume excessive amounts of turmeric if you take medication that has blood-clotting effects, such as aspirin. However, a moderate amount typically doesn’t react with these or other medications and has many other benefits. Can it improve joint health? In many cases, yes! The Arthritis Foundation recommends taking a 400–600-milligram tablet of turmeric up to three times daily. Multiple studies cite turmeric’s ability to reduce inflammation and relieve arthritis pain, and one study even notes that turmeric seemed to work just as well as ibuprofen (Advil) for people with arthritis in their knees. Participants in that study took 800 milligrams of turmeric every day. Can it help the liver? Yes. One of the spice’s most notable characteristics is its powerful antioxidant abilities. Antioxidants play an important function in our bodies. The average person is exposed to refined and processed foods, smoking, environmental pollution, and chemicals found in pesticides and drugs. Turmeric can protect the liver from damage due to these toxins, which also aids those who take strong medications known to cause long-term liver damage. Can it decrease symptoms of hay fever and depression? Some symptoms, yes. The curcumin in turmeric can help reduce hay fever symptoms like sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion. When used in tandem with antidepressants, turmeric may help reduce symptoms of depression. There are many benefits to using turmeric in your weekly meal routine. Try out some Indian or Chinese recipes or prepare some Instagram-worthy golden milk. In whatever you make, enjoy the rich flavor combinations turmeric offers!

below-knee prosthesis with a higher center of mass that improved the wearer’s gait. Today’s bionic limbs are the latest in a long line of historical advancements in prosthetics. Because of those advancements, we can confidently move forward to a day when the functionality of prosthetic limbs will match that of natural ones.

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THE STORY OF JIM ABBOTT, THE 1-HANDED PITCHER One of Baseball’s Finest

Longtime fans of Major League Baseball may be familiar with Jim Abbott. After

When Abbott was in high school in Flint, Michigan, he batted a .427 and hit seven home runs. Then, he pitched for the United States at the 1988 Olympics in South Korea when baseball was a demonstration sport. He helped win the U.S. the gold medal, and that was before he was even drafted for the MLB. As a pitcher, Abbott wore the pocket of his glove on the end of his right arm. He pitched left-handed, and then he could switch the glove to his left hand as quick as lightning to catch and field the ball as needed. His adaptive methods on the field, while unconventional, worked wonders. Throughout his career, Abbott earned several honors. He was one of only three pitchers of his decade to win their first professional game. In 1991, he finished third for the American League Cy Young Award. In 1993, he became one of only 10 pitchers for the Yankees to date to pitch a no-hitter. At the end of his career, he had an impressive lifetime record of 87-108.

being drafted by the Angels in 1988, Abbott pitched in the major

leagues for 10 years. By any metric, he had an exceptional pitching record, but what made him even more exceptional is that he did it all with just one hand.

While many members of the adaptive community lost a limb later in life because of an accident or disease, Abbott was actually born without his right hand. When he talks about his childhood, he doesn’t have much to say by way of overcoming adversity because he’s only ever known what it’s like to have one hand. However, that doesn’t make Abbott’s baseball career any less remarkable. Professional baseball players in any position need to be able to throw, catch, and bat better than the rest — something that many aspiring players can’t do with two hands.

Today, Abbott remains one of the most impressive players in the history of the game and a testament to what’s possible for members of the adaptive community.

Contrary to popular belief, vegetables are delicious. Most of our parents just didn’t know how to prepare them well. This summer, revolutionize your cookout with a serving of delicious, colorful veggies. INGREDIENTS THE BEST GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLES

SUDOKU

• • • • •

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning

1 1/2 tsp garlic, minced

2 lbs assorted vegetables, trimmed and halved (asparagus, mushrooms, red onion, red bell peppers, baby carrots, and yellow squash are great on the grill)

• • •

5 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp lemon juice

1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic. 2. Brush vegetables with olive oil and place in a large bowl. Top with lemon juice and seasoning mixture. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes but no longer than 2 hours. 3. Prepare the grill at medium-high heat. 4. Grill vegetables in batches, cooking 3–5 minutes on each side until browned

and tender. (Carrots will cook longer, 6–9 minutes per side.) 5. Remove from the grill, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

175 N. Benjamin Lane Boise, ID 83704 208-377-4024

3906 E. Flamingo Ave. Nampa, ID 83687 208-466-4360

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inside

1 Chris’ Story With Advanced Prosthetics & Orthotics (APO)

2 The Power of the Golden Spice 2 A Brief History of Prosthetics

3 Jim Abbott: The One-Handed Pitcher 3 The Secret to Delicious Grilled Veggies

4 4 Steps to Finally Sort Through Old Photos

Feel Bad About Throwing Away Photos? 4 Rules for Guilt-Free Photo Downsizing

If you’ve reached a point in your life where you’ve started to downsize, then you’ve likely grappled with the difficult task of getting rid of photos. After decades of life, how are you supposed to choose

from college was? Keep those photos. Pictures of people whose names you can’t remember or blurry photos you can’t make out can all go.

Rule No. 3: Edit Well

which memories are important enough to keep and which aren’t? These four rules can help make this daunting task easier.

If you have a lot of photos from a specific event or part of your life, think about how long each “chapter” of your life story would be. How much time would you spend writing about your cousin’s wedding or high school prom? If a certain event didn’t have that much meaning in your life, why dedicate pages and pages of a photo album to it?

Rule No. 1: Cut Scenic Views

You don’t need dozens of photos of that campsite you went to on vacation one summer. If a location was really meaningful, like the beach at your honeymoon, then keep a few, but pictures of the places you’ve been to are far less special than pictures of the people you love.

Rule No. 4: Throw Photos Away

If a photo isn’t important enough to put in an album or frame on the wall, then it doesn’t need to stick around. Don’t put them in a box you’ll have to sort through later. Let the rejects go. After all that hard work, treat yourself to a photo album shopping spree so you can start organizing the meaningful photos you have left.

Rule No. 2: Tell a Story

When you look at a photo, does it make you want to tell a story about the people or places in the image? Could you share plenty of stories about riding around in Dad’s old truck or about how funny your best friend

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