Empowerment Through Technology

I’ve been an above-knee amputee my entire life, and one of the constant hurdles for me used to be inclines.  Anything descending down from, be it hills or stairs, was nerve-racking.  Not having proper flexion in the knee and ankle made it really difficult.  I never felt completely safe.  I always had to position myself in awkward stances to traverse such obstacles.  For example, when going downhills, I’d do it at an angle, side-stepping down diagonally the whole way.  When it came to stairs, I couldn’t go foot over foot, I had to take baby steps.  On rare occasions, I even had to sit, and butt scooch my way down.  I stuck out like a sore thumb, having little confidence and questioning every step I took.

That all changed, however, when I put on the QUATTRO knee for the first time back in 2021. Paired with the Kinterra ankle/foot, the degree of motion and added flexion are unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

The QUATTRO has several sensors and patented valve technology that adapts to my unique walking gait.  Nowadays, most of us have our phones on us 24/7.  Conveniently, the knee also comes with an app, allowing me to make quick adjustments on the fly.  There’s one setting I really like, which is the “Stair and Ramp Resistance” setting.  With it, I can adjust the appropriate resistance of flexion in the knee to my liking, adding or restricting how quickly it bends on a downward motion.  Add Kinterra’s 17 degrees of motion; uneven terrains become a cakewalk!  For the 1^st time in my life, I was able to descend downstairs without even having to use handrails!

I’d like to mention that it also boasts a stumble recovery feature that keeps me from worrying about falling.  For example, if I step on a curb the wrong way or trip on something, the knee locks up, allowing me to recover my gait quickly and more naturally.  Not once have I ever had a direct fall using it.  It’s a great safety net, easing my mind.  I don’t have to think about every step I take, which is nice!  I can also get in and out of vehicles way easier now!

In my experience, it’s just one win after another.  Both the QUATTRO and Kinterra are a powerhouse duo!  PROTEOR really is a leading brand in Adaptive Prosthetic Technology.  Their products are highly customizable, accessible, and practical.  I feel empowered knowing that my prosthetic is walking for me, as opposed to me for it.  It makes the whole experience seamless.  It’s the little things in life that make all the difference!