Pedals for disablity
02-08-06 | 11:17 AM
#1
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From: Houston, TX
Pedals for disablity
My wife has MS, and we bought her a recumbent stationary bike for exercise (she has drop foot and balance issues). Her right foot is canted out so far her heel stikes the crank when she is rotating. We have tried different shoes, socks, tightening the strap as much as possible with no luck. Even pedal extensions. Clipless won't work, so I think we need something that can control her heel as well. I have seen heel extensions, but they typically have a small rim and I don't think that will work in her case. I have also seen some special pedals that you strap the whole foot in, but I can't afford the $300.00 plus for those. Any ideas out there?
02-08-06 | 12:49 PM
#2
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From: Kirkland, WA
Bikes: 2021 Specialized Diverge Carbon Comp, 2020 Specialized Roubaix Expert, 2020 Specialized Creo Expert
Hmmm...I can't think of anything right off the top of my head. Is your wife seeing a Physical Therapist or a PM&R (Physical Medicine and Rehab) doctor? They might have some suggestions or ideas.
02-08-06 | 01:03 PM
#3
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The Lakeshore Foundation
This is an Para Olympics location here in Birmingham. I know they have hand cyclists as well use bikes for other rehabilative purposes.
Call and ask for Carrie. Nice person. She may be able to help you and your wife come up with a solution.
~jerry
The Lakeshore Foundation
This is an Para Olympics location here in Birmingham. I know they have hand cyclists as well use bikes for other rehabilative purposes.
Call and ask for Carrie. Nice person. She may be able to help you and your wife come up with a solution.
~jerry
02-09-06 | 06:17 AM
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From: Tasmania, Australia
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One quick cheap and easy possibility that I have used when I first got my trike, I used standard road clips and a velcro strap running from them around the back of my shoe and back to the otherside of the clip, they were very effective and much harder than clipless to pull out of and limited sideways movement severely.
I was thinking along similar lines but with a solid plate of thin metal with the edges bent up so the heel can't twist.
If you wanted to, it may be easier to make a low sided metal box that her foot will just fit in and bolt it to the face of the pedal then, that way it would also help keep the front of the foot inline.
May even be worth a look in the local xmart and see if they have a plastic food container the right size and cut down the sides as required, if needed you could slit the bottom and put a velcro strap or 2 over the foot.
Originally Posted by MichaelW
You can create a heel clip, much like a toe clip from bent metal. Bolt it onto the rear face of the pedal.
If you wanted to, it may be easier to make a low sided metal box that her foot will just fit in and bolt it to the face of the pedal then, that way it would also help keep the front of the foot inline.
May even be worth a look in the local xmart and see if they have a plastic food container the right size and cut down the sides as required, if needed you could slit the bottom and put a velcro strap or 2 over the foot.
