Keith Deutsch (photo: A1 need profile photo)

 

• AKA. Right Leg

• Riding for 12 years, 4 on prosthetic

• Regular Foot

• Stance: R +15°, L -15°

Kieth uses a medium to high activity Ossur Reflex VSP®. The Reflex VSP has a carbon fiber leaf spring and a shock in the ankle/pylon with a half-inch of travel. The lateral adjustment on the foot is turned in about 12° pigeon toed off of a typical walking alignment. The general bulk of this foot fills the void space in the boot well and hence there is not need for a foam pylon sheath. Although this foot can have a large amount of torsional movement, Kieth doesn’t notice torsional twisting but it is the only foot he’s ever ridden on. It seems to work well for him.

Foot (photo: B1)

 

B1, Foot Pigeon Toe

 

Pyramid System (photo: C1, C2, C3)

 

• The pyramid alignment system below the XT9 knee is set to bow slightly to the anterior side of the leg. This helps create wider stance.

• Top pyramid system is also set 15º towards the back: this in combination with the XT9 settings help model the flexion and extension of a typical able-bodied stance while snowboarding. This pre-flexed alignment helps put the stress of landing big airs on the XT9 shock, instead of on the residual limb.

C1, Pyramid Anterior Alignment

C2, Pyramid Top w- Socket

C3, Pyramid Top

XT9 (photo: D1, D2)

• The XT9 prosthetic knee is designed by SymbiotechsUSA. The bottom bolt of the shock is set to the most forward hole in the framework of the XT9. This setting, along with the Trunion Mount (red part and screw dial on the shock), mimics able-bodied ankle and knee flexion. Moving the shock down increases the angle of the knee, which then more closely resembles a model able-bodied stance and body alignment for snowboarding. This way of setting the XT9 gives more consistent energy return. This is vital and provides enough resistance when preforming a heel-side turn.

D1, XT9 Bottom Bolt

 D2, XT9 Whole Leg View

 

 

Socket Pin and Suction System (photo: E1, E2)

 

• Socket is by Abilities Unlimited and was developed for the Paralympics. It is an Ischium Containment style socket, which means the top lip hugs the Ischium to prevent tortional twisting of socket. It has a solid carbon fiber outer shell with flexible inner cutouts that pull out.

• Kieth uses an Alpha liner/pin system and uses socks of various widths to maintain suction by adjusting for change in the residual limb’s size due to altitude, activity, temperature, age of injury. If suction is lost, then the inner socket/liner can end up being pulled inside out. Please note: the button for the pin on the exterior of the socket has been cut down. It has a tendency to get bumped with riding and the leg falls off.

 

 

E1, Liner-Socket Pin

E2, Sawed Off Pin Button

Belt (photo: F1)

 

• Keith uses a Tess Belt® system around waist and likes to keep it as tight as possible. This belt is just one extra suspension method that increases performance and prevents injury.

F1,Tess Belt-Final Assembly

Boot Jib Strap (photo: G1)

 

• Custom strap attaches bottom of the snowboard boot and to a hip belt to keep leg from coming off during nose presses and other jibbing.

G1, Boot Jib Strap