Daily over four years, Ian, an above knee amputee, uses his shinfinTM fin exercise swimming against his endless pool jet, and for snorkeling and scuba diving. Above all, Ian finds his shinfinTM fin is one of the best exercise aids for stopping his stump from atrophying. His amputation is four inches above knee. He adjusts the shinfinTM fin to fit on his prosthesis and also on his stump. Certainly, just wearing one fin like this, strengthens his muscles and gives him really good balance in the water. However, many above knee amputees (and below knee amputees) wear another shinfinTM fin on their full leg.
Ian’s review from Manhattan Beach, USA & Waiuku, New Zealand
“I am an above knee amputee. I have been using your swim fin for muscle strengthening whilst swimming on my prosthesis. Not only has the fin been fantastic, but I am only just now replacing the rubber strap, after four years of daily use! I also just fit it to my stump, which works really well. I have an Endless Pool, so swim against the jet, and seem to stay balanced really well. In fact, the fin is almost too good! One of my best aids to stop the stump from atrophying, as I use a vacuum socket. I really like your fin. Apart from an exercise aid, I also take it with me when I go scuba diving or snorkeling too. Thank you for a great product.”
Ian’s review: Above knee amputee fin for endless pool, snorkeling & scuba
“This is for a thigh leg stump, having above knee amputation 4 inches above knee.”
Ian’s appreciation after 4 years of daily use
“I am an above knee amputee. I have been using your swim fin for muscle strengthening whilst swimming on my prosthesis. Not only has the fin been fantastic, but I am only just now replacing the rubber strap, after four years of daily use! Thank you for a great product.”
Reply
That is wonderful to hear how you have been getting on so well with your fin. What type of prosthesis do you fit the fin to? Did you ever consider using a pair of shinfinTM fins, with the other fin on your shin? I think that might give you a better stroke balance over your whole body, arms and legs. What do you think?
Ian
“I also just fit it to my stump, which works really well. I have an Endless Pool, so swim against the jet, and seem to stay balanced really well. In fact, the fin is almost too good!”
“Mean all I said about the fin. One of my best aids to stop the stump from atrophying, as I use a vacuum socket.”
Reply
That’s good to learn how you are using your fin. Can I ask a favour please? Would you mind if I put some extracts from your emails on the website? I like the way you have written and I think it would be useful for other people to read what you have said.
Ian
“I really like your fin. I am happy for you to use any statement that I have made concerning its use. Apart from an exercise aid, I also take it with me when I go scuba diving or snorkeling too.”
Reply
Thank you for your kind permission Ian. Personal recommendation is very important to help a new product like this along, so I really appreciate it.
Conclusion
Above knee amputees can use shinfinTM fins for swim exercise (including against endless pool jets), snorkeling, scuba diving and more. Above all, shinfinTM fins are one of the best exercise aids for stopping your stump from atrophying.
You can adjust one shinfinTM fin to fit either on your prosthesis or on your stump, to strengthen your muscles and give you better balance in the water. However, many above knee amputees (and below knee amputees) wear another shinfinTM fin on their full leg. This is illustrated in another review from an above knee amputee snorkeling.
Similarly, other reviews show shinfinTM fins fitted on a bilateral below knee amputee’s prostheses and on a transtibial amputee’s stump.