Regas Woods

Double amputee Regas Woods of Dunnellon is a national champion runner and 2015 world championship bronze medalist. As of this writing, he made the Paralympic team and was preparing to compete at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Now 35, Regas had a congenital limb deficiency that required the amputation of both legs above the knee when he was 2 years old.

In elementary school, his classmates thought his artificial legs were “cool.”

That changed in middle and high school when he was bullied because of them.

Driven to run because he was told it would be impossible, Regas has excelled. In 2015, he broke the U.S. record in the 200 meters. He also competes at the 100 meter and in the long jump.

For normal use, Regas has prosthetic legs with microprocessor knees, but when he competes, he runs on “straight” prosthetics with “blade” feet. Being a bilateral amputee, his start is slower than unilateral (single leg) amputees, but once he gets going, the 200-meter distance is usually enough for him to make up that time lost at the start.

“When I was a child, I got a new set of legs at least once a year because I was growing,” recalls Regas. “As an adult, I usually get a new set every year or two, but my running legs endure a lot of stress, so those are replaced more frequently.”

He is co-founder of the Never Say Never Foundation (neversayneverfoundation.org), with Nick Stillwell, whom he helped as a peer counselor when Nick lost both legs in an accident. The foundation uses 100 percent of its funds to help secure prosthetic limbs for child amputees, as the full cost of such devices is often not covered by insurance.

A member of the U.S. Paralympic national team, Regas trains and competes full time. He hopes to obtain a sponsorship that will enable him to continue reaching his athletic goals.

Regas learned to overcome adversity and to embrace the fact that he is di erent.

“I had to deal with the cards I was dealt and make the best of it,” he says. “My disability is now a blessing because I can compete and inspire people all over the world.”

In order to fabricate a prosthetic that fits properly, the first step is measuring for the socket into which the residual limb will fit. This is usually done using a CAD (computer aided design) system to create a digital 3D scan.

“From that, we make a clear plastic diagnostic socket. We make proper adjustments with this and can heat and mold it to make sure all the pressure points are in the right spots,” explains Insco, noting that multiple fittings may be necessary to get it right.

Using the diagnostic socket as a model, the definitive socket is then manufactured out of a material like carbon fiber or thermo-plastic. Other components (knee, foot) are then attached to the socket. If the patient desires, a cover can be added to make the prosthesis match the existing limb.

“We choose the most appropriate components based on the activities the patient wants to accomplish,” Insco adds. “For example, there are hundreds of different types of feet available.”

In order to have a good outcome, physical therapy is an important part of the process. It helps with strengthening the muscles the patient will be using, overall balance, range of motion and gait training.

“From when the doctor says the patient is ready, it’s generally a couple weeks to when they are through the fitting process. Some patients walk out like they’ve been wearing it all their life, but a wheelchair and crutches are often part of the process for a lower-limb amputee.”

Once the patient is correctly fitted with their new prosthetic, it’s common to come back periodically so the prosthetist can check fit and wear and perform necessary maintenance to the device.

The lifespan of a prosthetic limb ranges from months to years. Obviously, if the patient is a child, it will need to be changed often as the individual grows.