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On the road again
Innovative prosthetic helps Jamestown man
get back to living
An innovative prosthetic leg helps Roger Mayhew continue every activity he did before losing his leg, including hunting, fishing and riding his Harley-Davidson.
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When Roger Mayhew learned his leg would
be amputated below the knee, he was
devastated. “I tried not to show it, but I felt my world
was over,” he said. “My job was 70 percent walking.
I hunt and fish. My main hobby for the past 40 years
was riding my motorcycle. I didn’t know what I was
going to do.”
In July 2008, he had been riding his Harley-Davidson
motorcycle when the wind blew him off the road. His
left ankle was crushed, and he was taken to the Medcenter One Emergency and Trauma
Center. His doctor recommended
amputation that day, but Mayhew
wanted to try to save the leg. He battled
a continuing staph infection and chronic
pain, though, which ultimately required
the amputation in February 2010.
“Below-the-knee amputation works surprisingly well as opposed to having multiple operations to save a
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limb that is chronically infected and not working well,” said Dr. William Canham, a Medcenter One board-certified
orthopedic surgeon. “The role of the
prosthetist is extremely important. With a
good-fitting prosthesis (artificial limb), the
patient can return to work and a normal
life more quickly.”
Until Mayhew met Nate McKenzie,
MedEquip One board-certified
prosthetist, the Jamestown man said he
had visions of being reduced to sitting on the couch.
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With the goal of returning Mayhew to the life he
knew before the accident, McKenzie fitted the
58-year-old with the latest in mechanical foot
technology last summer. “The Endolite Echelon foot is
lightweight and features a hydraulic ankle, which
provides the range of motion able-bodied walkers
require,” McKenzie said.
The foot also allows Mayhew to wear any footwear,
from motorcycle boots to tennis shoes.
MedEquip One, which provides medical equipment supplies and services,
was the first in North Dakota to offer this innovative prosthetic foot.
The adjustable ankle was critical to meeting Mayhew’s needs. “The foot is
self-leveling, making it ideal for walking on uneven surfaces at work and for
stopping and stabilizing his motorcycle,” McKenzie said.
Although skeptical, Mayhew decided to try the leg. “It was amazing how
comfortable it was,” he said. “Nate told me to stand and start walking. I had
been using crutches and a wheelchair, so I hadn’t stood on both legs in over
a year.“
His doubts immediately disappeared. “I took two steps, and you couldn’t
get the smile off my face,” he said. “I knew I could accomplish everything I
wanted with this leg.”
He let go of the handrails and with McKenzie’s coaching, walked on his
own. He left MedEquip One carrying his crutches and cane. His first stop was
his daughter’s workplace. “She was shocked and had tears in her eyes,”
he said.
He was anxious to return to Jamestown and his Harley. “I was scared
about getting on it,” he said. “I backed it out of the garage on my own. It was
on gravel, so I had to use both feet. The more I pushed, the more I smiled.”
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Dr. William Canham
Orthopedic surgeon
Medcenter One
Nate McKenzie
Prosthetist
Medcenter One
MedEquip One |
He started the bike and has been riding ever since, putting on more than 3,000 miles last summer.
“I was totally amazed by what I could do,” he said. “My whole world was
coming back to me. I hardly slept that night. I just kept looking at the leg and
feeling great.”
Not only could Mayhew resume his passion for riding, he also earned a
promotion and is now foreman of the Sanitation Department for the City of
Jamestown.
“The leg gave me my career back because working at the landfill requires
walking on unlevel surfaces,” he said. “I’ve walked over land scouting for
hunting areas through waist-high weeds, brush and sloughs with no
problems. I feel 10 years younger.
“I can’t say enough about the care from my Medcenter One doctors and
the MedEquip staff. Nate gave me my life back. There’s nothing I can’t do.”
Click here for more information about prosthetic limbs and other medical supply services at MedEquip One.
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