AWESOME INPUT everyone. I knew the Internet was good for something!
I have some specific responses and questions, then a summary of where I am today...
Originally Posted by
edgross208
According to your note, your bone loss was in the femur, but your picture seems to show a length difference at the knees. Where was your loss? if femur, was it proximal (near the hip) or distal (knee)? how has this affected function at your hip and knee?
My femur is shorter due to bone loss near the hip -- just below the superior trochanter. Pre- and post-op x-rays appear below.
Originally Posted by
edgross208
The issue in recovering "normal" biomechanics is that it is difficult to compensate for loss in the length of the thigh. Adding length at the foot effectively lengthens the lower leg during the upper half of the pedal stroke and the entire leg during the lower half. There's no way that the stroke effects of a shortened femur can be effectively normalized.
I get the gist of what you are saying but don't understand the specifics. Please elaborate.
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Other generous contributors to this thread have given me some good ideas to explore. In general, I'm tending towards the idea of adding a custom-made shim/block between my shoe and my cleat, just to see how it feels. If it works out, then I'll explore buying a professional shim/block -- but that will mean changing my pedal system. (I currently use bebop, but used speedplay for many years and so could switch back to them without much resistance.)
Here's a summary of my findings to date, based on this thread and related threads suggested above:
1) increase length from pedal to shoe on the short leg:
-- speedplay shims:
http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?f...home.zeroshims
-- cleat block:
http://www.hscycle.com/Pages/cantsandwedges.html
-- get creative and make something (clamp on a pedal; manufacture a block; etc.)
CHALLENGES: either custom-made, or specific to certain pedal manufacturers
2) get shorter cranks on both sides and add "drop pedals" to the crank on my longer leg
-- drop pedals:
http://www.hscycle.com/Pages/cantsandwedges.html
CHALLENGES: drops are hinged (?) so can't pull up "normally" on the pedals. I may call them to discuss: 800-438-4399
3) consider having a shorter crank on the side with my short leg
-- buy one shorter crank on the left side
-- get an adjustable-length crank (powercranks.com) which is adjustable from 85mm to 220mm [markhr, 11-1-06]
review:
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/defaul...lstory&id=4331
problem: cost is $1100
CHALLENGES: different length crank on one side not recommended (see bokes 10-29-06 at
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ht=powercranks)
4) reading recommendations:
Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists:
http://www.amazon.com/Pruitts-Comple.../dp/1931382808
Keep those ideas coming!