Playing amateur tennis with one healthy leg and with the second leg handicap (prosthesis from the thigh to down)

[Oleksandr.Usyk]

Hi. Is this theoretically possible? Can a left handed player with this handicap (one leg prosthesis - for example right leg, second left leg healthy) have fun playing amateur tennis leagues or with friends who plays regularly as well?

1) How is it with strokes and serving?
2) Can that handicaped person move relatively well on the court given the circumstances? I know that Pistorius was a damn good runner, but how about lateral movement during tennis with this kind of handicap?

The same with squash, can this person play squash for a fun on an amateur level to have fun matches?

Thanks for an opinions and feedback.

 

[esgee48]

Pretorius was a straight ahead runner. Tennis involves side to side, forward and back, lunges etc. A lot will depend on how well braced/attached the prosthesis is cuz movement there will cause spills. The other main issue is the point that contacts the ground. Contact basically has to be flat with the ground which will be a problem on anything but hard court. I can see spills on clay and grass. I think if the player is really careful, that person could try the sport and see what happens. Sudden movements are the issue.

 

[Injured Again]

I played for a couple of years with a seriously bad knee, and one of my hitting partners has 5.0 level groundstrokes despite having a hip replacement and a severely broken lower leg on that same side that has resulted in significant muscle atrophy and a drop-foot. So play is possible with significant movement deficits. The thing that separates doing so with a prosthesis is that with an injured or poorly functioning leg, you still have neural feedback that can help you balance and manage the twisting forces that are necessary. A prosthesis won't provide that kind of feedback so I'd imagine balancing while twisting is going to be significantly more difficult.

 

[ollinger]

The issue may be less whether such activity is possible but rather whether it's a good idea. How will the tissue on the end of the shortened leg be impacted by all that trauma and twisting? Will it cause infection that could require further surgery? Will it cause ulceration that might heal poorly? Consult your physiatrist or orthopedist.

 

[atatu]

Hall of Famer Dennis Ralston played tennis with only one leg in his later years, so it's definitely possible, but keep in mind that he had skills that most of us don't have. I always admired him for that, he wasn't too proud to lose to 4.0 guys who he would have destroyed when he was younger.

Sherrington: After losing a leg and beating addiction, Ralston is back in tennis

Sherrington: After losing a leg and beating addiction, Ralston is back in tennis

www.dallasnews.com

 

[Roforot]

I've seen older players who barely move on the court but enjoy the feeling of striking the ball.
He'll have to make some adjustments to his strokes but if he enjoys it and plays within his limits.
Some ppl though are so competitive they dive on concrete and run into posts trying to reach a ball...

 

[onehandbh]

Some ppl though are so competitive they dive on concrete and run into posts trying to reach a ball...

People that die from running into the net post while chasing after a ball should receive a posthumus award.

 

[10sbeast888]

certainly possible.... play doubles, play with someone who's willing to hit back to you... play wheelchair tennis... play regular tennis but with wheel chair rules... guy with 1 leg gets 2 bounces (it's only fair, no?)

be creative and have fun!