Devices to enable persons with amputation to participate in sports

Participation in physically challenging competitive sports is as important to some persons with amputations as are work and leisure, both of which are ordinarily of a sedentary character. Sports participation contributes not only to physical but also to psychologic well-being. The manner in which a prosthetic clinic team can aid in this aspect of rehabilitation is discussed. Some of the more sophisticated prostheses prescribed to enable participation in sports include above-knee and below-knee water-resistant prostheses for swimmers, an adjustable foot-ankle unit for the proficient swimmer and scuba diver, prostheses and special equipment for skiers, special devices for golfers with upper extremity or lower extremity amputations, and various commercially available terminal devices to enable persons with an upper extremity amputation to bowl, to hold a fishing pole and reel, to play baseball, to hold tools, to fire a pistol, and to swim.