As an amputee of almost 45 years, I have been very fortunate to have access to most of the cutting edge prosthetic components as they came out during that time. I have also been lucky to have highly skilled prosthetists who ensured that I always had the best legs possible, so that my quality of life was never compromised, so that I could achieve virtually anything I set my mind to. And I did! Sports has been a true passion of mine, having played baseball and football through High School, and Racquetball throughout college up until present. Racquetball is my passion, and for over 20 years I have played at a competitive level, surprising many of my non-amputee opponents who thought they should go easy on me until they realized how well I could move around the court.

I was one of those patients who wanted the foot that would make me faster, more agile and that would respond to my movements. However, throughout all of my endeavors and achievements there came a cost. I broke many components along the way, and was sidelined from time to time as my prosthetist had to order new feet for me in order to replace the broken ones. Over the years, I have seen and worn most of the prosthetic feet available, all the way from the SACH Foot up to some of the most innovative and high performance feet presently available.

As a Certified Prosthetist, it was always one of my key tasks to design and select the components for my patient’s legs. In doing this over the past few years, I noticed a pattern among my patients. They rarely asked for a foot that could have them running or jumping faster and higher. Most patients wanted a more flexible foot that acted like their missing foot. They always asked for a foot that was more forgiving and responsive to the ground below them. They wanted the feel of their missing ankle and toes. They also didn’t appreciate the numerous visits to my office to see what was squeaking, loose or broken. They didn’t like having to use “loaners” while they waited for their broken foot to be serviced or replaced, sometimes for a couple of weeks. Having been in their shoes (and feet), I understood their frustrations.

Something needed to change. Anyone can make things bigger, heavier, and more complicated, but durability and comfort are the 2 most important features of a prosthetic foot. A simpler design, a new, more responsive material, was the answer.

Helping to develop the simple design and durable, flexible feel of our new RUSH foot has been a thrill and a privilege, since now I have a new way to help my patients achieve the life they want to live.