Above The Knee Amputation & Basketball

Above the knee amputations often result from sever trauma to the knee or lower leg, infections that fail to heal, poor blood flow, tumors, severe frostbite or severe burns. The time it takes to recover from an above the knee amputation varies based on several factors including age, medical conditions and blood flow. Luckily, your enjoyment of basketball does not have to end after a knee amputation.

Recovery

Full recovery from an above the knee amputation can take months or even years. However, participating in a sport such as basketball can help improve your recovery as you perform exercises that build your strength, endurance and balance. Your return to basketball with an above the knee amputation often means joining a wheelchair basketball league. As your endurance, balance and coordination increase, you may eventually play backyard basketball with friends, but league play after an above the knee amputation is typically easier in a wheelchair due to all the sudden stops, starts and turns.

Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair basketball originated in 1946 after many veterans returned from World War II paralyzed and confined to wheelchairs. The veterans gradually opened the world of wheelchair basketball up to people with leg amputations, polio or orthopedic disabilities. Wheelchair basketball leagues exist for men and women. The rules for wheelchair basketball are similar to those of traditional basketball but they include adaptations relevant to dribbling, tilting the chair, shooting, blocking, charging and fouling.

Training

The wheelchairs used in wheelchair basketball do not have arms, have slanted wheels and have lower backs than traditional wheelchairs. It takes a lot of balance to maneuver the wheelchair while dribbling, shooting, blocking or charging opponents. Coaches can teach you specific drills to help you learn to control your wheelchair while maintaining your balance and controlling the ball. It may take six months to a year after your surgery before you have enough balance, strength and coordination to participate in an actual wheelchair basketball game, explains Frank Arnal, an orthopedic surgeon for Bradford Regional Medical Center. You should never perform an exercise or training drill that places your leg at risk for injury or that has not been approved by your healthcare team.

Special Concerns

An above the knee amputation causes special concerns related to playing basketball. When the doctors amputate your leg, your center of gravity changes and you have to learn to control your body based on this new center of gravity. Your body is top heavy, making it easy for you to fall out of your wheelchair. Talk to your coach, physical therapist or doctor for a list of exercises that will help strengthen your arms, back, abdomen and hips while teaching you to control your balance. Only perform exercises and activities approved by your doctor and physical therapist to ensure your safety and prevent injury.