A trip to Boot Barn turned into an unexpected situation when a man’s prosthetic leg got stuck inside a cowboy boot.
But instead of panicking, the store employee grabbed an exacto knife and made a call that probably saved everyone a whole lot of trouble—and money.
Boot Barn Worker Gets the Exacto Knife
In a viral video with more than 3.2 million views, amputee @amplife360 captured the moment a Boot Barn employee named Mike saved his leg from an unfortunate destiny.
In the video Mike is seen using a retractable exacto knife to carefully slice open the back of a brown Ariat cowboy boot. The customer’s prosthetic leg had gotten lodged inside during what was supposed to be a normal try-on session.
“I just didn’t wanna damage the prosthetic because, man, them things are [expensive],” Mike says as he frees the leg.
“That’s $30,000 right there,” @amplife360 shared.
Mike added that he’s rather count a loss on a $100 boot than risk damaging such an important medical aid.
In the caption, @amplife360 joked about the predicament: “Excuse me sir, we’re gonna have to keep ur leg, Excuse me sir, u gonna have to cut this boot OFF!!!”
He also thanked Mike for the stellar customer service.
“Big shoutout to Mike at @Boot-Barn for amputating the boot and not my leg,” he said in the caption.
Prosthetic Legs Can Cost as Much as a Car
Mike’s $30,000 estimate wasn’t an exaggeration. According to PrimeCare Prosthetics, prosthetic legs range anywhere from $3,000 to more than $120,000, depending on what kind of tech you’re dealing with. Below-the-knee prosthetics run between $3,000 and $24,000, while above-the-knee models cost $5,000 to $70,000.
OPC Centers breaks it down further: Advanced prosthetic legs for athletes or highly active people—the ones with microprocessor-controlled joints that adjust on the fly—start at $15,000 and can top $50,000. Even basic models for people who aren’t super active cost $5,000 to $7,000.
And that’s just the upfront cost. Insurance coverage is all over the place. Some plans cover most of it, others barely cover anything. If you don’t have insurance, you’re paying out of pocket. Plus, prosthetics usually need to be replaced every three to five years, and you’ve got to budget for maintenance, repairs, and physical therapy sessions that run $50 to $400 a pop.
Finding the Right Shoes Can Be Tricky
Shopping for boots when you have a prosthetic leg isn’t as simple as walking into a store and trying stuff on.
According to isBrave, getting the right fit is crucial because a boot that’s too tight can put pressure on the residual limb or, you know, trap your prosthetic inside.
The guide says low or flat-heeled boots work best for prosthetic users because they help with balance and don’t mess with your posture. High heels? Not ideal. You want boots with good cushioning around the ankle and sole, solid traction so you don’t slip, and adjustable closures or zippers that make it easier to get the prosthetic in and out.
Some brands have caught on to this. Ariat, the same company that made the boot in the video, actually makes prosthetic-friendly boots with full back zippers designed specifically for easier entry.
Commenters React
“this is a real employee… cares about the customer and his company,” a top comment read.
“buy the boot and have a zipper put on!” a person suggested.
“They should really shout the company out and the dude there cause this is insane level customer service dude is a legend,” another wrote.
Gee Thanks reached out to @amplife360 for comment via TikTok direct message and comment and to Boot Barn via email.
@wildandwantedd Come cross border shopping with me! @Boot Barn ♬ Revival – Zach Bryan
This story was produced by our friends at Gee Thanks.
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