Before I get to my point I just wanted to say that this is my first post, so, hi.
Anyway I was driving home from work today and I saw a man crossing the street with a prosthetic leg. I was staring at it shamelessly when I noticed that he had a shoe on it as well as on his biological leg.
Now this may seem obvious to most but I started wondering what the point was of having a shoe on it. I suppose it could be for aesthetics, symmetry, or just so people wouldn’t start asking if he only had one shoe on.
Perhaps it’s so he doesn’t go trailing dirt and such into his house? Some people (including me) take off their shoes at the door to help keep the rugs clean.
I would guess that prosthetic legs are made so that they can wear a shoe matching the other leg (for appearance’s sake, especially if the user is wearing long pants and the fact that he has a prosthetic leg is not apparent). If you don’t wear it with the same kind of shoe, it will be shorter than the other leg and he’ll limp.
The foot of the prosthetic leg is going to wear out faster if you are walking on concrete with it. Better to use a shoe which is easier to repair or replace when it gets worn.
My guess would be aesthetics (with pants on you most likely wouldn’t have noticed anything) and to make it easier to walk. Between the traction the shoe provides and having the same thing in contact with the ground on both sides.
Apart from all the other reasons, even flat shoes are an inch or two thick. The prosthesis would be that much shorter than the other leg if you weren’t wearing a matching shoe.
In addition to all the other good points, there’s comfort - both physical and psychological. My Grandad’s prosthetic leg pressed into the rest of his leg when he walked (I don’t think all do; it depends on the reason for the prosthesis), and having soft-soled shoes lessened that somewhat. Psychologically, it was also better for him to have two ‘feet’ with shoes rather than looking like Long John Silver.
Ya rly. My brother wears shoes on both his prosthetic legs, and I’ve never asked him why he does it. I always assumed it was for the same reason I don’t walk around outside barefoot.
Prosthetic running legs are meant to be worn without shoes, but why would the average prosthetic foot be designed so that you don’t have traction? That’s weird.
A standard leg is built to conform to the shape of a human leg so as to fit things like pants legs. Here’s a running leg. Wouldn’t really fit in a pair of slacks or jeans. Also the springiness makes walking more difficult, the leg is meant to be run on.
Because people have shoes. Ever try walking around wearing a shoe each from two different pairs? It’s really awkward. It makes a lot more sense just to use both shoes.
I have known many people with artificial or injured legs, and they always prefer that both legs are covered symmetrically so it doesn’t invite scrutiny at times when all they want is to zip around the supermarket.
