Jane Hogarth
I lost my right leg, below knee, in a car accident in October 2003 and have worn a prosthetic limb for the past 8 years. Due to the nature of the amputation, I have always experienced a certain amount of discomfort with my prosthesis; I have difficulty weight bearing through my right leg and the bend of my right knee is considerably reduced by the prosthesis. It didn’t take me long to realise that that my mobility was significantly reduced as a result.
In August 2009, I started seeing a private physiotherapist as my walking had deteriorated very badly at that point and I was experiencing severe pain in my left leg due to tendonitis, brought on by ‘overworking’ my good leg. My Physio analysed my gait, fixed me up with an orthotic insole from a Podiatrist, unpicked all my bad compensatory walking habits and began teaching me how to walk properly again. It was around about this time that I had the idea of doing a 60 miles charity walk for my 50th birthday which was 2 years hence.
I saw my Physio on a monthly basis and made slow but steady progress with my walking. After a few months, she suggested also doing a weekly session on the cross-trainer at my local gym which helped to strengthen my right leg. In April 2010, my Physio started drawing up a monthly training plan, with a view to slowly increasing the amount of outdoor walking I was doing in preparation for the charity walk I was planning in August 2011.
All was going well until December 2010, when I began to experience problems with my prosthesis rubbing on my stump. I had to stop wearing my limb to allow things to heal, but the skin would break down again when I resumed wearing it. I got caught in a cycle which I couldn't seem to break and could see all my fitness that I had managed to build up just fly out the window, which was extremely frustrating.
In February 2011, I saw an advert for STUDIO EH1 and booked myself in for a trial lesson. I had heard of Power Plate before and went along really with the hope that it would improve my walking. Helen was my Personal Trainer and I felt I got on well with my trial and there were no adverse effects with my stump/prosthesis after training. I therefore booked up for a 10-week course and took sessions twice a week.
I very quickly noticed improvements. I seemed to be able to weight bear more easily through my prosthesis whilst on the Plate, so my right leg began to strengthen immediately and my balance improved as a result. This allowed me to attempt ‘squats’ which I simply couldn’t with my right leg after my accident. My Squats are improving with every session and I am pleased to say that friends and family have commented on how much my walking has improved.
However, I am pleased to say that it is not just my walking that has improved. I am delighted with my toned arms and I have enjoyed wearing sleeveless and halter neck tops this past summer. My stomach is flatter and my concentration and energy levels are noticeably higher. The sessions are hard work but enjoyable and only take 25 minutes – what could be better!
I had a new socket made for my limb at the end of May 2011 which ironed out a few issues with wearing my prosthesis and I made the decision in July 2011 to attempt my charity walk.
I am thrilled to say that I completed the 62.5 miles in August 2011. It was a challenge but I successfully completed it on my 50th Birthday, which was a huge achievement for me and one that I am sure would not have been possible without my Power Plate training.
This is, without a doubt, the fittest and most mobile I have been in the last 8 years which is something that was way beyond my expectations when I walked into STUDIO EH1 in February 2011.
