cycling w/left sided paralysis

Quoted message said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg. He
has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified activities. Are
there bicycles that are particularly adapted to folks with one good leg
and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be easier for him to ride?

How about some type of recumbent trike? That would seem to handle all or
most of the balance issues.

This assumes, of course, that he will be safe on it, as far as vision, etc..
My F-I-L had a stroke years back and had visibility problems to one side.
He was lacking peripheral vision to that side and had to make a conscious
effort to turn his head that direction to see. "Look to your left" became
the family mantra. He wasn't able to drive. Hopefully your F-I-L is not as
limited by his stroke.

Lyle

alath said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg. He
has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified activities. Are
there bicycles that are particularly adapted to folks with one good leg
and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be easier for him to ride?

Get a stationary bike with toe clips and a whirlwind fan in front of it
would be the safest thing.
Maybe in front of a TV would be nice.

In article <[email hidden]>,

ddog said:

alath said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg.
He has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified
activities. Are there bicycles that are particularly adapted to
folks with one good leg and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be
easier for him to ride?

Get a stationary bike with toe clips and a whirlwind fan in front of
it would be the safest thing. Maybe in front of a TV would be nice.

Geez how about a rocking chair on the front porch? Let's not
unnecessarily consign the OP's father-in-law to geezerdom just yet.

alath, it depends on what his focal motor limitations are. Can he use
the leg at all? Can he lift it and/or push down on the pedal? Was the
stroke recent and is there some hope of regaining more function? Does
he have normal sensation in the leg and buttocks? Can he bear weight on
it?

I would recommend consulting with a physical therapist. These folks are
very creative and forward thinking. An occupational therapist might
also be helpful if there are issues with hand strength or arm strength.

There are a couple of possibilities. One is just using a regular bike
and letting the leg ride up and down. If he can lift the leg at all,
that might be an indicator that this might be a good approach. Even if
he can't, it might still be reasonable for range of motion and hopefully
reducing fluid collection in the lower leg tissues.

Another option would be to have a left crank machined with a bearing in
it, so that the crank just points straight down all the time. He'd just
pedal with one leg. Longstaff cycles in the UK used to specialize in
this kind of thing but George Longstaff has passed away. However, the
business seems to be continuing so they might be a resource:

http://www.longstaffcycles.co.uk/

Another option would be to just take the left crank off the bike and
fabricate a footrest.

Now, this assumes that his cognition, visual field and arms/hands are
fine. If his cognition or vision are impaired, then riding a bike may
not be safe. If he has impairment of his hands or arms, then further
adaptation might be necessary. There's a safety issue if he can't use
his left leg to bear weight or catch himself if for some reason he has
to dismount to that side.

I would tend to think that a standard bike would be better- easier for
mounting and dismounting since he wouldn't have to sit down or stand up
like he would with a recumbent. A step-through frame is also a
possibility with a standard bike. Balancing a recumbent feels quite
different than balancing a regular bike, which may or may not be an
issue. It would be fairly easy to make a leg rest for a recumbent if he
can't use the leg at all (a PT or OT would even have the materials).

In either case, if he uses a cane it'd be simple to make a way to clip
the cane to the frame to take along with him.

There are other options, of course, including handcycles which are
pedaled with the arms instead of the feet, recumbent and standard
trikes, etc.

http://www.dsusa.org/ChallMagarchive/challmag-spring03-RXforFun.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/SM00042

Good luck!

Don't overlook the possibility of going to a gym or physical therapy place
and riding a stationary bike, to find out how the bad leg functions on the
pedal.

alath said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg. He
has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified activities. Are
there bicycles that are particularly adapted to folks with one good leg
and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be easier for him to ride?

One of those three wheeled trike like 'bents would seem to be best. I'd
also suggest a tandem if he isn't in danger of doing a face plant off
the side.

Tim McNamara said:

Geez how about a rocking chair on the front porch? Let's not
unnecessarily consign the OP's father-in-law to geezerdom just yet.

Tim,

You are assuming allot:

- nothing wrong with stationary bikes since aerobic excercise is the
main benefit, and they are safer,
- he might not want to go out for special olympics so the extra trouble
of going to the Mayo clinic may not be called for,
- stationary bikes are THE best recovering physical therapy exercise
after basic motor skill functions are resumed,
- recumbant bikes tilt neck forward which is a NON-BENDING motion of
neck, so vertebra 'leaks' fluids and FREEZE neck solid looking down
(same thing as improper workstation after years looking down at monitor
- ALWAYS keep arch in neck like normal bikes(!)),
and most importantly
- who's going to catch this guy half of his stops when he has to put
his bad foot down? Trikes are unstable with 2 rear wheels. During the
turn of last century ~1900, 2 Front wheel trikes were the rage but
industry (oil, auto, and insurance) did not make as much money
so...there aren't any nor any mention of them in Republican propoganda
history books.

Stationary bikes are cool. Fresh air would be main thing missing, but
could get that in seperate activities.
Life is a compromise. Its only different, that's all.

imo

Tim McNamara said:

Geez how about a rocking chair on the front porch? Let's not
unnecessarily consign the OP's father-in-law to geezerdom just yet.

alath, it depends on what his focal motor limitations are. Can he use
the leg at all? Can he lift it and/or push down on the pedal? Was the
stroke recent and is there some hope of regaining more function? Does
he have normal sensation in the leg and buttocks? Can he bear weight on
it?

I would recommend consulting with a physical therapist. These folks are
very creative and forward thinking. An occupational therapist might
also be helpful if there are issues with hand strength or arm strength.

There are a couple of possibilities. One is just using a regular bike
and letting the leg ride up and down. If he can lift the leg at all,
that might be an indicator that this might be a good approach. Even if
he can't, it might still be reasonable for range of motion and hopefully
reducing fluid collection in the lower leg tissues.

Another option would be to have a left crank machined with a bearing in
it, so that the crank just points straight down all the time. He'd just
pedal with one leg. Longstaff cycles in the UK used to specialize in
this kind of thing but George Longstaff has passed away. However, the
business seems to be continuing so they might be a resource:

http://www.longstaffcycles.co.uk/

Another option would be to just take the left crank off the bike and
fabricate a footrest.

Now, this assumes that his cognition, visual field and arms/hands are
fine. If his cognition or vision are impaired, then riding a bike may
not be safe. If he has impairment of his hands or arms, then further
adaptation might be necessary. There's a safety issue if he can't use
his left leg to bear weight or catch himself if for some reason he has
to dismount to that side.

I would tend to think that a standard bike would be better- easier for
mounting and dismounting since he wouldn't have to sit down or stand up
like he would with a recumbent. A step-through frame is also a
possibility with a standard bike. Balancing a recumbent feels quite
different than balancing a regular bike, which may or may not be an
issue. It would be fairly easy to make a leg rest for a recumbent if he
can't use the leg at all (a PT or OT would even have the materials).

In either case, if he uses a cane it'd be simple to make a way to clip
the cane to the frame to take along with him.

There are other options, of course, including handcycles which are
pedaled with the arms instead of the feet, recumbent and standard
trikes, etc.

http://www.dsusa.org/ChallMagarchive/challmag-spring03-RXforFun.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/SM00042

Good luck!

On 13 Jan 2007 06:50:43 -0800, "alath" <[email hidden]> may have

Quoted message said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg. He
has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified activities. Are
there bicycles that are particularly adapted to folks with one good leg
and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be easier for him to ride?

If balance is not a problem, and the leg's impairment is unlikely to
make toppling over likely if he has to stop with that foot down, then
yes, a 'bent may have some advantages due to being easier to mount and
dismount *for some people*. (This is a YMMV issue; the only way to
find out is to try.)

There are various pedal setups that may help. Ordinary clipless
pedals, for the sufficiently dedicated rider, will overcome many of
the hurdles by allowing the rider to use the stronger leg to continue
the pedal rotation if the weak leg is unresponsive.

Trikes, most particularly (IMO, anyway) recumbent trikes, are also a
potentially viable option, and they obviate many of the concerns
regarding balance and stopping. Traditional upright trikes are very
limited in their riding speed, however, due to the hazard of tipping
over if the rider tries to take a corner at too high of a
velocity..and the rate that's "too high" can be distressingly low.

FWIW, I will relate that I had a neighbor across the street who
continued to live unassisted and self-supported for over 30 years
following a stroke that left him partially paralyzed on one side.
Much depends upon the outlook and determination of the
individual...and nonphysical support and encouragement that will keep
your in-law active and involved may be just as important as any
adaptive tools in the long run.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

On 13 Jan 2007 07:23:14 -0800, "ddog" <[email hidden]> may

have said:

alath said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg. He
has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified activities. Are
there bicycles that are particularly adapted to folks with one good leg
and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be easier for him to ride?

Get a stationary bike with toe clips and a whirlwind fan in front of it
would be the safest thing.
Maybe in front of a TV would be nice.

"Safe" things don't always do what's really needed. Getting out and
*doing something*, so that the person remains connected with the
process of living, can be vastly more important than mere
exercise...and TV numbs the mind. Much of the research into
Alzheimers has been concluding that much like the rest of the body,
the less you use your mind, the less of it will remain functional in
the long run.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

On Sat, 13 Jan 2007 10:36:06 -0700, Paul Cassel

may have said:

alath said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg. He
has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified activities. Are
there bicycles that are particularly adapted to folks with one good leg
and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be easier for him to ride?

One of those three wheeled trike like 'bents would seem to be best. I'd
also suggest a tandem if he isn't in danger of doing a face plant off
the side.

I'd only suggest a tandem right away if the rider was already
confident on one previously; they do take a bit of getting used to, as
I have discovered since rehabbing one and adding it to the fleet.
OTOH, after the rider has gained confidence with the new level of
ability, a tandem might be a good thing all around *part of the time*,
but one of the keys to regaining full independence in such
circumstances is to find the path that *doesn't* require a second
person for completion of ordinary tasks. Having company is great, but
lack of it shouldn't be an obstacle to getting out.

I will note that a couple of years ago, a lady with MS made one last
ride in the Houston MS150 in the captain's saddle aboard a modified
tandem; the steering was rerigged so that the stoker had full control
capability. I've seen the bike; it was a nice bit of low-budget
rework, and he still keeps it fully maintained.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

In article <[email hidden]>,

ddog said:

Tim McNamara said:

Geez how about a rocking chair on the front porch? Let's not
unnecessarily consign the OP's father-in-law to geezerdom just yet.

Tim,

You are assuming allot:

If you actually read my post, you'll see I am assuming just about
nothing. I will also point out that I am a psychologist and part of my
specialty is in people with long term disabilities such as strokes.

Quoted message said:

- nothing wrong with stationary bikes since aerobic excercise is the
main benefit, and they are safer,

Safer in terms of falling over and not being in traffic. Also
mind-numbing as hell and not conducive to regular use as a result.

Quoted message said:

- he might not want to go out for special olympics so the extra trouble
of going to the Mayo clinic may not be called for,

Going to the Mayo Clinic? I provided an URL to a page on the Mayo
Clinic site that has some possibly useful information and a number of
links to potentially useful resources.

Quoted message said:

- stationary bikes are THE best recovering physical therapy exercise
after basic motor skill functions are resumed,

Now you're the one assuming a lot.

Quoted message said:

- recumbant bikes tilt neck forward which is a NON-BENDING motion of
neck, so vertebra 'leaks' fluids and FREEZE neck solid looking down
(same thing as improper workstation after years looking down at monitor

That's just twaddle.

Quoted message said:

- ALWAYS keep arch in neck like normal bikes(!)),

You mean people should never look down because they might get stuck that
way? LOL.

Quoted message said:

and most importantly
- who's going to catch this guy half of his stops when he has to put
his bad foot down? Trikes are unstable with 2 rear wheels. During the
turn of last century ~1900, 2 Front wheel trikes were the rage but
industry (oil, auto, and insurance) did not make as much money
so...there aren't any nor any mention of them in Republican propoganda
history books.

Now you're just being bizarre. Not to mention inaccurate, as tadpole
trikes are easy to find nowadays. Try the Google and correct your
ignorance.

Quoted message said:

Stationary bikes are cool. Fresh air would be main thing missing, but
could get that in seperate activities.

Stationary bikes are a boring proposition at best and should be
considered the fallback.

Quoted message said:

Life is a compromise. Its only different, that's all.

Life is not a compromise, but it often involves compromise.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Werehatrack said:

On 13 Jan 2007 07:23:14 -0800, "ddog" <[email hidden]> may

have said:

alath said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left
leg. He has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified
activities. Are there bicycles that are particularly adapted to
folks with one good leg and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be
easier for him to ride?

Get a stationary bike with toe clips and a whirlwind fan in front of
it would be the safest thing. Maybe in front of a TV would be nice.

"Safe" things don't always do what's really needed. Getting out and
*doing something*, so that the person remains connected with the
process of living, can be vastly more important than mere
exercise...and TV numbs the mind. Much of the research into
Alzheimers has been concluding that much like the rest of the body,
the less you use your mind, the less of it will remain functional in
the long run.

Bingo! A nice summary.

alath said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg. He
has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified activities. Are
there bicycles that are particularly adapted to folks with one good leg
and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be easier for him to ride?

AL,

As you may well know, right hemispheric motor strokes can be
fronto-parietal, resulting in some obvious deficits and some subtle
deficits. Some right-handed individuals with right hemispheric stroke
have a lack of appreciation for their actual deficits, and may fail to
appreciate objects in the left visual field.

Although the most recovery from stroke takes place during the first
year, spontaneous recovery occurs even three or four years post-stroke.
Some therapists feel that encouraging use of the weak (left in this
case) side promotes healing. This makes me wonder what fixed-gear
riding would be like for your father-in-law. Maybe a fixed-gear
recumbent trike would fit the bill? It all depends on things that are
probably yet to be learned.

One good place to investigate this would be with a rehabilitation
treatment team: physiatrist (or sports-medicine MD), occupational
therapist, physical therapist, neuropsychologist, speech therapist,
etc. as needed. Usually an MD figures out what is needed. One with
interest in cycling and sports medicine might be helpful in figuring
out what might work, and when.

Your father-in-law's degree of interest in this endeavor is of the
utmost import.

All the best,
Larry

In article <[email hidden]>,

LF said:

alath said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg.
He has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified
activities. Are there bicycles that are particularly adapted to
folks with one good leg and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be
easier for him to ride?

AL,

As you may well know, right hemispheric motor strokes can be
fronto-parietal, resulting in some obvious deficits and some subtle
deficits. Some right-handed individuals with right hemispheric
stroke have a lack of appreciation for their actual deficits, and may
fail to appreciate objects in the left visual field.

Quite correct and these possibilities must be taken into account. The
deficits resulting from the stroke depend on the type of stroke, it's
location and thus the areas of the brain which are "downstream" from the
stroke and thus starved of blood supply. A millimeter's difference can
result in vastly different consequences.

Quoted message said:

Although the most recovery from stroke takes place during the first
year, spontaneous recovery occurs even three or four years
post-stroke. Some therapists feel that encouraging use of the weak
(left in this case) side promotes healing.

Yes, this is called "restraint therapy" and has been shown to have
significant benefit in some cases:

http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?docID=531337

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/poststrokerehab.htm

Quoted message said:

One good place to investigate this would be with a rehabilitation
treatment team: physiatrist (or sports-medicine MD), occupational
therapist, physical therapist, neuropsychologist, speech therapist,
etc. as needed. Usually an MD figures out what is needed. One with
interest in cycling and sports medicine might be helpful in figuring
out what might work, and when.

Your father-in-law's degree of interest in this endeavor is of the
utmost import.

Yup. If he didn't like riding a bike before, he is probably not any
more likely to like it now.

"Tim McNamara" wrote: Yup. If he didn't like riding a bike before, he is
probably not any more likely to like it now.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Tim, this is quoted from the original post: " He
has enjoyed cycling in the past,"

Quoted message said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg. He
has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified activities. Are
there bicycles that are particularly adapted to folks with one good leg
and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be easier for him to ride?

If it's only his left leg that's an issue, I'm not sure he couldn't ride
relatively normally with a bit of work. There are a number of people who
have had one leg amputated and continue to ride, so unless the left leg was
so bad off that it essentially got in the way, I wouldn't write off cycling
on a normal bike.

Others who have posted know far more about issues regarding strokes than I
do; I am only replying to the singular issue of having one leg of limited
use.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

"alath" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg. He
has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified activities. Are
there bicycles that are particularly adapted to folks with one good leg
and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be easier for him to ride?

Quoted message said:

"Safe" things don't always do what's really needed. Getting out and
*doing something*, so that the person remains connected with the
process of living, can be vastly more important than mere
exercise...and TV numbs the mind. Much of the research into
Alzheimers has been concluding that much like the rest of the body,
the less you use your mind, the less of it will remain functional in
the long run.

---------
I turned off the [censored] tube years ago. Of all the things I've done to
improve my life, that one rates at the top. I found out that TV does three
things, it dumbs you down, as you mentioned, it makes you angry
(programming) and envious (the ads).

alath said:

My wife's father had a stroke that limited his use of his left leg. He
has enjoyed cycling in the past, and needs new/modified activities. Are
there bicycles that are particularly adapted to folks with one good leg
and one not-so-good? Would a recumbent be easier for him to ride?

If he has mobility in general, just weak on one side, perhaps a
velcro-strap exerciser pedal for the weak leg.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Callistus Valerius said:

Quoted message said:

"Safe" things don't always do what's really needed. Getting out and
*doing something*, so that the person remains connected with the
process of living, can be vastly more important than mere
exercise...and TV numbs the mind. Much of the research into
Alzheimers has been concluding that much like the rest of the body,
the less you use your mind, the less of it will remain functional in
the long run.

---------
I turned off the [censored] tube years ago. Of all the things I've done to
improve my life, that one rates at the top. I found out that TV does three
things, it dumbs you down, as you mentioned, it makes you angry
(programming) and envious (the ads).

Dear Cal,

But you'd miss the Simpsons!

Cheers,

Homer S.

On Sun, 14 Jan 2007 11:08:00 -0700, [email hidden] may have

Quoted message said:

Callistus Valerius said:

Quoted message said:

"Safe" things don't always do what's really needed. Getting out and
*doing something*, so that the person remains connected with the
process of living, can be vastly more important than mere
exercise...and TV numbs the mind. Much of the research into
Alzheimers has been concluding that much like the rest of the body,
the less you use your mind, the less of it will remain functional in
the long run.

---------
I turned off the [censored] tube years ago. Of all the things I've done to
improve my life, that one rates at the top. I found out that TV does three
things, it dumbs you down, as you mentioned, it makes you angry
(programming) and envious (the ads).

Dear Cal,

But you'd miss the Simpsons!

There's always DVD rentals. No ads, and no "program will not appear
tonight so that we can bring you this special presentation of Most
Egregious Moments From American Idol From Which We Haven't Yet
Squeezed The Final Cent Of Advertising Revenue".

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.