Darren's C-Leg 4 Story
Strongman Darren calls Ottobock C-Leg a ‘game-changer’
A Derbyshire man going for Strongman glory has called Ottobock’s pioneering microprocessor knee (MPK), the C-Leg, a “game-changer” after almost 30 years of wearing a mechanical prosthesis.
Darren Greenfield, of Swadlincote, is a former Team GB wheelchair basketball player and para-canoeist but in the last two years has been concentrating on becoming a strongman — pulling and lifting a range of outrageously heavy items, including cars. He’s the current British champion in the seated class, and won silver at the recent World Championships in Norway.
Next up for Darren — who lost his leg above the knee aged 18 following a motorcycle accident — is the coveted Arnold Classic in Columbus, USA, which is organised by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
He said: “I’m really excited to go to Columbus and be a part of something so prestigious. It’s going to be a real test but an incredible experience.”
Darren has, for 30 years, coped with a mechanical knee but when the opportunity came for him to try the C-Leg, he seized it.
“I’m not getting any younger and I was starting to feel the effects of having a mechanical knee on the rest of my body, plus when you fall it’s more and more painful,” he said. “For me, the C-Leg has been a game changer. I walk a lot more naturally, my stump health is better, everything feels smoother and going down stairs is a breeze now.
“When I was younger I could do a lot more with my mechanical knee but over the years that’s reduced a lot. With the C-Leg I can feel the confidence returning — I’ve not fallen once since having it, I can carry things and push myself harder. It’s brilliant.”
In addition to training for the Arnold Classic, Darren has continued his other passion, fishing. He helps to run the Disabled Anglers UK club, bringing people with disabilities together to fish and to socialise, and also helps the charity Anglers Against Cancer, which has raised £250,000 for Children With Cancer in the last four years.
Part of his own fundraising efforts included a 160-mile bike ride from his home to Oxford, and a handbike ride from Cumbria to Tyneside.
“If I set myself a goal, I’ll make sure I do it,” said Darren. “And the C-Leg is certainly going to help me achieve what I want.”
Discover the Kenevo and C-Leg 4
Trust, evolve and thrive with Ottobock.
Ottobock have been proudly providing the C-Leg 4 to medium to highly active individuals through the NHS since 2016. However, did you know that less active individuals can also get funding for the Kenevo. So whether you have a ‘through knee’, ‘above knee’ or hip disarticulation amputation, there is an MPK available for you. The funding means that amputees not only have access to an MPK which provides the most natural walking pattern (the C-Leg) but with the Kenevo the less active individuals can use this leading knee joint for improving mobility and gaining independence.
