Reader Response Final

   Prosthetic leg (Ottobock)

The webpage “Running Prostheses” from Ottobock introduces the Ottobock 1E91 Runner prosthetic and distinguishes between its functions and features, each serving a unique purpose (Ottobock, n.d.a). In terms of functions, the Runner is designed for athletic performance, enabling amputees to participate in both casual jogging and competitive sports, including sprinting and long-distance running. It is built to store energy with each stride and release it efficiently for forward propulsion, optimizing both speed and endurance. Additionally, the prosthetic offers customizability, allowing adjustments tailored to the individual user’s needs based on their body type and running style (Ottobock, n.d.b). For example, the prosthetic leg can be adjusted in the anterior or posterior direction, allowing the heel strike during the run to be harder (for an aggressive run) or softer (for a more relaxed run). The Runner prosthetic features a carbon-fiber spring weighing between 0.46 kg and 0.585 kg, with the weight varying according to the user's body weight and stiffness preference (Ottobock, n.d.c). This design offers excellent flexibility and energy return, enhancing propulsion during runs. Its lightweight construction decreases the energy needed for movement, resulting in more efficient strides. Additionally, the prosthetic provides five degrees of freedom, allowing for multi-axis movement that promotes greater agility and a more natural range of motion (Ottobock, n.d.c).

Despite being resource-intensive in terms of cost and time for maintenance checks, the Ottobock 1E91 Runner prosthetic is still a popular choice among amputees. Its extensive customization options and performance-driven design make it a valuable investment for those seeking to enhance their running experience and maintain physical fitness.

The Ottobock 1E91 Runner prosthetic is a resource-intensive product in terms of cost as users have to spend additional money on add-ons and modular parts to use with the running blade. In addition to the initial purchase of these components, users will also need to spend on maintenance and repairs to keep the prosthetic in good condition. The Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for Ottobock's 1E91 is US$6,662.00, which only consists of the carbon plate with a maximum lifetime of only three years for recreational runs or one year for competitive runs (Ottobock, n.d.d). The corresponding adapter and parts would have to be ordered separately, with an estimated cost of the parts and annual maintenance being US$9,574 and US$1,936 (Biddiss, McKeever, Lindsay, & Chau, 2011). According to the National Paralympic Heritage Trust (n.d.e.), Össur and Ottobock are the leading manufacturers of running blade, which are also commonly used by amputee runners. When the two brands are compared, the starting price of a below-knee prosthetic leg from Össur is generally lower than ottobock, with a starting price of approximately US$3750 and US$4000 respectively (PrimeCare, 2024). Therefore, the cost will certainly be an influential factor when deciding whether to purchase the Ottobock 1E91 prosthetic leg.

The Ottobock 1E91 Runner prosthetic is also a resource-intensive product in terms of time for maintenance checks since users have to spend their spare time travelling to service centres that may not be available around their location. According to the "Instruction for Use" manual for Ottobock's 1E91 (n.d.d), users are required to arrange regular maintenance and conduct annual safety inspections, causing them to travel to the service centre or clinic frequently. Running prosthetic legs are designed to be used during sports, therefore, users would have to also often spend time switching between their daily use prosthetics and running prosthetics, which may be inconvenient. Therefore, users are expected to plan their schedules to ensure they have time to travel to their respective centres for checks and to switch between their prosthetics.

While the Ottobock prosthetic leg is resource-intensive, I believe that amputees who are eager to run, compete in sports, or engage in activities they once enjoyed, are willing to navigate the challenges of travel and costs to keep their prosthetics in optimal condition. For these amputees, purchasing the Ottobock 1E91 prosthetic leg means more than just acquiring a device; they are purchasing the experience as well. Moreover, they are investing in quality, as the prosthetic is designed for performance and can be customised with its modular components. According to Johannes Floors who is a German Paralympic sprinter interviewed by the International Paralympic Committee (2018), “You have to imagine, I wasn’t able to run properly for 16 years. Then there is someone giving you the opportunity to run; to feel wind and to feel speed. This is what I never want to lose”. 

It was also believed that these amputees would want to purchase a prosthetic leg to stay fit and healthy. According to a survey conducted by Limbpower (2019), an overwhelming 88% of participants reported that in 2019, they would like to take part in more physical activity than they do currently as they would like to keep fit and healthy, with running being one of the top 10 sports they had participated. Most amputees would like to take part in more physical activities as studies have shown that amputees have a significant risk for developing cardiovascular diseases (Robbins et al., 2009), and increased physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (Mora et al., 2007).

In conclusion, the Ottobock 1E91 prosthetic leg offers a range of customizations to meet the user's needs, maximizing the runner's performance. While it may be more resource-intensive than other models or brands, the investment is worthwhile, as it enables amputees to fully enjoy their runs.



References

Ottobock. (n.d.-a). Runner 1E91. https://media.ottobock.com/_web-site/prosthetics/lower-limb/running_system_3s80/files/pb-1e91_en.pdf

Ottobock. (n.d.b). Running solutions for getting out, staying active and winning medals.  https://www.ottobock.com/en-ie/prosthetics/running-prostheses 

Ottobock. (n.d.c).  Running Prostheses. https://www.ottobock.com/en-us/prosthetics/running-prosthetics 

Ottobock (n.d.d). 1E91 Runner.  https://shop.ottobock.us/Prosthetics/Lower-Limb-Prosthetics/Fitness-Prosthetics/1E91-Runner/p/1E91#product-documents-section 

International Paralympic Committee. (2018, July 13). How I got into Para Athletics: Johannes Floors. https://www.paralympic.org/news/how-i-got-para-athletics-johannes-floors

Biddiss, E., McKeever, P., Lindsay, S., & Chau, T. (2011). Implications of prosthesis funding structures on the use of prostheses. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 35(2), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364611401776

National Paralympic Heritage Trust. (n.d.e). Running blades and their evolution.  https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/running-blades-and-their-evolution#:~:text=Leading%20manufacturers%20of%20running%20blades,inventor%20and%20an%20amputee%20himself.

PrimeCare. (2024, January 11). How much is a prosthetic leg: Cost and pricing in 2024. https://primecareprosthetics.com/blog/how-much-does-a-prosthetic-leg-cost-in-albuquerque

limbpower. (2019). Physical Activity and Sport Survey Results 2019. https://www.limbpower.com/application/files/2715/9524/7825/LimbPower_Physical_Activity_and__Sport_Survey_2019.pdf

Robbins, C. B., Vreeman, D. J., Sothmann, M. S., Wilson, S. L., & Oldridge, N. B. (2009). A review of the long-term health outcomes associated with war-related amputation. Military Medicine, 174(6), 588–592. https://doi.org/10.7205/milmed-d-00-0608

Mora, S., Cook, N., Buring, J. E., Ridker, P. M., & Lee, I.-M. (2007). Physical activity and reduced risk of cardiovascular events. Circulation, 116(19), 2110–2118. https://doi.org/10.1161/circulationaha.107.729939

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