Oscar Pistorius, the famed “blade runner” noted for his prosthetic legs, is having difficulty running properly after years of idleness in prison. The DailyMail stated that the prisoner’s handmade blades, previously used for Paralympic competition, no longer fit him owing to lack of regular exercise. According to the article, his legs have also diminished in size.
Pistorius, 38, who is best known for shooting model Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, requested medical attention in Pretoria’s Atteridgevale Prison owing to worries over muscular deterioration, sparking fears that he may never be able to run properly again, according to the Daily Mail.
At 11 months old, Pistorius had both of his feet amputated owing to a congenital abnormality. Dr. Gerald Versfeld, the orthopedic surgeon who performed the double amputation, visited Pistorius in prison to help him fit new prosthesis after experiencing troubles with ill-fitting ones.
Upon entering jail, the Olympic runner voiced pain with his prosthetics, which no longer fit properly. Pistorius, who was recently freed on parole on January 5, had the length of his remaining thighs reduced, according to a medical assessment. According to the Daily Mail, the shorter length is due to his inability to run much while confined, which caused muscular atrophy.
Pistorius, who stood 6ft tall on his mechanical limbs in his prime, received new prostheses to replace those that no longer fit owing to physical changes, according to a jail source.
“He is trying to adapt but is concerned he will never be able to run in anything like the way he did before.”
He was released after completing half of his 13-year and five-month sentence for the murder of Steenkamp and is now facing a number of hurdles. In addition to physical ailments such as muscle atrophy caused by inactivity, he is said to have developed additional concerns.
According to the Daily Mail, Pistorius has developed a chain smoking habit, acquired weight, and is experiencing paranoia due to fears of violence or public outrage. Since his release from prison, he has apparently not left his uncle Arnold’s estate. According to sources, he has been spending time alone in his bedroom reading his Bible, playing video games, and watching Premier League football on television.
Despite his seclusion, Pistorius has had unwavering support from his sister Aimee, and the siblings have been heard smiling and joking in Afrikaans. Dr. Versfeld, an orthopedic specialist, predicted that Pistorius would take a long time to leave his uncle’s mansion.
“There may be parole conditions that are keeping him at home. But I think he is not ready to face the world. He has been in a pretty awful environment for some time. He has been in prison for eight years.”
Pistorius is said to be facing vengeance from underworld elements for the murder of Steenkamp, who was rising to prominence and expected to become a prominent TV personality.
Alan Retief of Waterkloof, who greeted Pistorius with flowers upon his release, believes Pistorius’ concern is legitimate, adding that he has been out of the public eye for a long time.
“The public’s opinion of him has altered. He was a hero, but now he is a convicted murderer. “He needs a lot of time to help him.”
Pistorius must live with his uncle until December 2029, when his sentence ends. Despite the uproar, several in the area still support Pistorius, believing that he did not purposely shoot Steenkamp and honestly thought it was an intruder in his home, as described by Retief.