The article emphasizes the importance of a team approach to patient care in regards to limb loss. Christine Umbrell, contributing writer and editorial/production associate for O&P Almanac, speaks with four prosthetists and explores their relationships with the therapy community. Each practitioner explains how their collaborative efforts with physical therapists improve outcomes and the overall patient experience.
“It makes sense that orthotists and prosthetists educate the therapy community about patients with limb and functional loss,” Werner said when asked about the article. “Long Island O&P has provided over 1200 continuing education credits to over 900 therapists. 260 courses at 45 different therapy facilities since 2010! Collaborating with physical therapy is imperative to continually improving patient outcomes.”
Clinical Education Concepts provides course material to orthotists and prosthetists that can be presented to physical and occupational therapists. Contact CEC
The 17th World Congress of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) was held in Kobe, Japan, from October 5 to 8, 2019. This successful international event drew more than 4,400 participants from around the world, provided a range of learning opportunities, brought together multidisciplinary experts to report their scientific innovations, and showcased global industry solutions to improve mobility and services for people who use prosthetic, orthotic, and other assistive technologies.
ISPO World Congress 2019
The ISPO World Congress 2019 in numbers
4,400 participants from 97 countries (63% Japanese participants)
154 exhibitors from 38 countries (including 35 organisations in the International Community Lounge)
The ISPO 17th World Congress was very successful. More than 4,400 participants from 97 countries came to Kobe in Japan to learn about the innovative possibilities of rehabilitation and assistive technology. In addition to the high-caliber scientific program, ISPO also brought numerous globally active societies and aid organisations together to discuss global assistive technology needs; including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Red Cross Committee (IRCR) and Handicap International (HI). This makes the ISPO World Congress one of the most important international platforms for mutual exchange and cooperation, which underlines the importance of this event in the industry and for society. The success of the World Congress was also due to the tremendous support by the Japanese government, the Science Council of Japan, the Hyogo prefecture, and the city of Kobe whose representatives welcomed the attendees during the Opening Ceremony.
Inspirational Keynotes The personal life experience of David Constantine presented in the Knud Jansen Lecture masterfully interwoven with the development of the Wheelchair sector and the role ISPO over 30 years was both a riveting and emotional experience for the audience that filled the World Hall. The audience responded with a standing ovation to express their appreciation. Desmond Tong delivered the IC2A Inspirational Lecture and also took the audience on his journey as he adapted to his life as an amputee and can now have great pleasure on focusing on his family, work and leisure pursuits. It was both a very informative and an emotionally charged Opening Ceremony that set the scene for the coming days, inspiring all for the four days of the congress and beyond.
Focus on Innovation The industry’s innovative strength was clearly demonstrated in the two fully booked exhibition halls, where 154 exhibitors from 38 countries presented state-of-the-art prostheses, orthoses and many other assistive technologies for people with physical disabilities. A major highlight was the Robotics Exhibition with high-tech solutions. Particularly outstanding projects in the prosthetics and orthotics field were honored during the congress. The Forchheimer Prize went to Lis Sjoberg, Helen Lindner and Liselotte Hermansson for their paper “Long-term results of early myoelectric prosthesis fittings: A prospective case-control study.”
The “Coapt Engineering” project by Blair Lock, Levi Hargrove and Todd Kuiken received the Brian & Joyce Blatchford Team Prize for Innovation.
Viva la Mexico The ISPO 18th World Congress will take place from 19 to 22 April 2021 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
About the ISPO World Congress The ISPO World Congress takes place every two years in a different country and is held on different continents to reach a variety of markets. Special attention will be given to the respective host country’s national participants and neighboring regions. Recent congresses took place in Vancouver in 2007, Leipzig in 2010, Hyderabad in 2013, Lyon in 2015 and Cape Town in 2017. Participant profiles vary from country to country. About ISPO International: http://www.ispoint.org
The ISPO is a multidisciplinary organization that operates worldwide and aims to improve the quality of life for persons who may benefit from the rehabilitation practice of prosthetic, orthotic, mobility and assistive technology by: Promoting multidisciplinary practice; Facilitating professional education to provide quality care; Promoting research and evidence-based practice; Facilitating innovative and appropriate technology; Fostering international collaboration and consensus; Facilitating knowledge exchange.
Its members include prosthetists, orthotists, orthopaedic technicians, physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orthopaedic shoemakers, nurses, and engineers. Currently ISPO is represented by more than 3,500 individual members in over 100 countries all over the world. ISPO International is committed to a world in which all people have equal opportunities to fully participate in society.
Brad Davis, CPA, CTP Fabricates a Prosthetic Socket
The New England Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (NEAAOP) held its annual continuing education conference from October 23 – 25 2019 in Woburn, MA at the Hilton Boston Hotel.
One of the NEAAOP meeting highlights was the off-site Tech program. The course was held at FDR Prosthetics & Orthotics, the practice of NEAAOP President, Paul Harney, CO. Technicians were afforded real time lab experience with Brad Davis, CPA, CTP, the lab manager of Coyote Prosthetics & Orthotics. Coyote is a patient care facility and manufacturer based out of Boise, Idaho.
“The off-site program was a great opportunity for prosthetic technicians to participate in a meeting they normally wouldn’t attend, ” said Jennifer Fayter, Sales Director for Coyote. “The attendees were able to share experiences and learn techniques from other technicians. It was a lot of fun and the program was really well received.”
The curriculum focused on prosthetic socket fabrication using Coyote Composite, a basalt fiber woven into a proprietary braid. Seventeen attendees participated in the course. The technicians received real-time lab experience and got to “lay up” a socket using a unique product.
“Techs need to get their hands dirty, ” Fayter commented. “A proper lab is so much better than a conference center for this kind of instruction. Big thank you to Paul Harney for opening his facility to us and for organizing a great event!”For more information about Coyote Composite contact Sales Director Jennifer Fayter (Jennifer.Fayter@coyoteprosthetics.com) or call (208)429-0026 .
For a comprehensive list of orthotic and prosthetic meetings and conferences please visit the CEC Events page: http://cecpo.com/events .
The event was held September 12-14, 2019 and provided over 14.25 continuing education credits for orthotists, prosthetists, pedorthists, technicians, as well as administrative and billing/reimbursement staff. Presenters from all over the United States lectured on a wide range of subjects – everything from critical Medicare updates to “Improved Clinical Outcomes with Consistent Successful Socket Fit via Full Weight Bearing Hydro-static Casting Techniques.”
Two and a half days of continuing education, golf, and of course, the Gunter Gehl Scholarship Award competition, made for a phenomenal event. Special thanks to Jerry Fenner of the Grand Geneva for providing exceptional customer service once again.
Abbey Senczyszyn was the winner of the 2019 Gunter Gehl Scholarship Award! MWCAAOP Board President Vari McPherson, CPO, presented Abbey with a check for $1,000.00. Congratulations Abbey!
presenter – john brinkmann, cpo, faaop – Using Motivational Techniques to Improve Patient Outcomes D. Laur, co
Very pleasant and thorough.
presenter – Dennis Janisse, cped – back to pedorthic basics E. Ventrice, CPed
Can’t wait to use system. Best thing since gel liners.
presenter – matt doering – Improved Clinical Outcomes with Consistent Successful Socket Fit via Full Weight Bearing Hydro-static Casting Techniques M. raymond, cpo
The San Diego Convention Center hosted the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association’s National Assembly from September 25 through September 28. The convention center did a fantastic job simultaneously accommodating both the O&P conference and TwitchCon 2019.
You would have been in the minority if you had a working knowledge of both Twitch and O&P.
“It’s really great Twitch is here! What a fun and fascinating experience to share this convention center with all these ‘Twitchers’.” Ed McKenna, owner of Horizon Prosthetics in Colorado said. “I had no idea what Twitch was before I got here and I’m still not really sure how they do everything they do, but it looks like everyone is having a great time.”
AOPA hosted the O&P Leadership Event at Pirch Beach, directly behind right-center field at Petco Park. Board members and executive staff from the ABC, USISPO, BOC, NAAOP, and AOPA, the Amputee Coalition and AAOP enjoyed an amazing view of Max Muncy hitting his first career grand slam which helped the Dodgers clinch home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs. Thank you AOPA – really a great night!
Great view of an exciting game!
“This was a great event hosted by AOPA. I was honored to be included!” Elizabeth Mansfield, USISPO Chair said. “It was so nice to be outside with all these fun people after a day of meeting rooms and PowerPoints. We were right on the field and…on the JumboTron!”
Congratulations to Erin McGraw and Charles Noble (Elizabeth’s cousin!!), both from the University of Pittsburgh Prosthetics & Orthotics program for their award winning poster presentations. Here they are pictured below with the AOPA President, Jim Weber.
Erin McGraw, Jim Weber and Charles Noble
The 2019 American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association’s National Assembly was well run and well attended. The exhibit hall, presentations, events, and hotel accommodations were all exceptional and the weather was glorious.
Clinical Education Concepts 