Summary

Prosthetic leg (transtibial prosthesis) for a child manufactured from wood and fibreglass circa 1978.

Worn by future athletic champion Don Elgin when aged 3 to 4, this is the second oldest prosthesis retained by him. He acquired it in 1978 and wore it using a strap that ran around his knee. The strap was attached to another that ran up his leg and around his waist. This prosthesis is the third that he used.

As a result of a birth defect, Elgin was born with most of his lower left leg missing, as well as a number of other defects. He was fitted with a transtibial prosthesis at the age of 1, and had learnt to walk by the time he was 18 months old.

The socket is made from poplar wood and fibreglass, with a rubber SACH (Solid Ankle, Cushion Heel) foot attached to it with a steel bolt. SACH feet were developed in 1956 and have been one of the most commonly used types of prosthetic feet since then. SACH feet contain a solid keel (central portion of the foot) which is used to provide a solid point of resistance for walking. The surrounding rubber is formed into the shape of a foot, with the heel portion made of a softer composition to assist in the walking motion.

Physical Description

Leg is made of wood with an outer layer of fibreglass. The prosthesis shows considerable wear at the top front. SACH foot attached to leg with a steel bolt. There is a flesh coloured foam insert in the knee section.

Significance

Example of medical prosthetics used in the 1970s in Victoria Australia.

Don Elgin is a transtibial amputee. Over the last 12 years he has represented Australia at three Paralympics and three International Paralympic Committee World Championships. In the system used for classifying athletes in disabled sports, Don competes in the T44 Amputee (Single below-knee amputee) class.

Taken as a set, these four prostheses document the significant developments that have occurred in prosthetic technologies over the last three decades, and in the last fifteen years in particular. The medal recognises Don's highest achievement in his chosen discipline, the Pentathlon.

The two older prostheses, made from poplar wood and fibreglass, with rubber SACH (Solid Ankle, Cushion Heel) feet attached by a steel bolt. SACH feet were developed in 1956 and have been one of the more commonly used types of prosthetic feet since then. SACH feet contain a solid keel (central portion of the foot) surrounded by rubber. Most of the foot is a solid rubber, while the heel is a softer rubber compound that compresses to assist with the walking motion.

'Flex-Foot' carbon fibre prostheses represented a paradigm shift in the manufacture of prosthetic feet. According to Dr David Howells, Don's current Prosthetist, and Prosthetist to the Australian Paralympic team, SACH feet are a support, whereas carbon fibre prostheses enable athletes to normalise their movement, creating something close to symmetry between the natural and prosthetic limbs.

The two carbon fibre feet have significant technical differences. The biggest difference is apparent in comparing their shapes. The Modular III foot has a simple curve forward, known as a 'J' curve. While this particular model of the Modular III does not have a heel, one of the set of characteristics of sprinting components, the way that it compresses and returns energy is not ideal for sprinting. It is a very efficient prosthesis, returning 95% of the energy that is directed into it, but it returns it in a 'neutral' manner. In contrast, the 'Cheetah' has a recurved shape, known as a 'C' curve. This shape tends to thrust the foot forward, making it more suitable for the gait of a sprinter propelling themselves forward as quickly as possible.

Don's prostheses also tell his own story. Born with a stump below his left knee, his fingers webbed together and no thumb on his left hand, he was encouraged by his parents to be active and pursue his inclination to sporting excellence. The child's leg is emblematic of the fact that Don was born disabled. The 1993 prosthesis is part of the story of his entry into the world of elite competition, while the legs he wore in Atlanta and Athens mark his struggle to be the best in the world. At Atlanta Don placed fourth and at Athens he won the bronze medal for the second consecutive Paralympics (he also placed third in the Pentathlon at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney).

Don's story, as told in interviews recorded with him by the Museum, demonstrates his drive to achieve at the highest level, and his refusal to accept that his disability might restrict his ability to do so.

Although the Museum holds a substantial collection of prostheses, it only holds three prosthetic legs/feet, one of which is not registered. While one of the registered limbs has limited provenance, the other was received directly from the manufacturer.

Don won Silver medal for the Pentathlon at the 2002 International Paralympic Committee World Championships, his best individual result in an international competition.

Don has a website with his friend and fellow Paraylmpian, Tim Matthews, www.timanddon.com.au, where they advertise their services as speakers and briefly tell their life stories.

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