The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that veterans can now apply for benefits to cover education costs for up to 1 year through the Veteran Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). The program is available to unemployed veterans between the ages of…
Year: 2012
New paths in pediatric orthopedic treatment
LEIPZIG, Germany — Pediatric orthopedic treatment has shifted toward minimally invasive surgeries in the last decade, according to a keynote speaker at the ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK 2012 International Trade Show and World Congress. Franz Grill “The idea to…
Conclusions from the ISPO Consensus Conference continually updated
LEIPZIG, Germany — David N. Condie, BSC, CEng, FISPO, consultant and clinical engineer, Glasgow, Scotland, UK, discussed the value of orthotic treatment in people with cerebral palsy at the ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK 2012 International Trade Show and World Congress. …
Study compares structural integrity of manufacturing processes
LEIPZIG, Germany — There are a variety of ways to fabricate sockets but with any method there are pros and cons. According to Lonnie Nolt, research engineer, Ohio Willow Wood, the traditional plastic casting method is widely accepted even though…
Less is more for in-home exoskeleton
LEIPZIG, Germany — From an engineering perspective, an exoskeleton has two main characteristics — strength and endurance. The question posed by Homayoon Kazerooni, PhD, professor of mechanical engineering, University of California at Berkley, was how to combine these two properties…
Prosthetists choose few different designs in foot selection survey
LEIPZIG, Germany — Gerald Stark, MSEM, CPO/L, FAAOP, vice president of education and product development, Fillauer Companies Inc., created a survey in 2005 to find what type of foot prosthetists advocate for their patients. In 2011, Stark created another prosthetic…
Clinical observations of three patients fit with powered prostheses
LEIPZIG, Germany — Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is the arrival site for wounded war veterans including the approximate 1,465 amputees due to the global war on terror. The facility has cared for approximately 430 multi-limb amputees. According to…
Expedited fitting works with collaborative team approach
LEIPZIG, Germany — John Miguelez, CP, president, Advanced Arm Dynamics, regularly sees complex patient cases with high level amputations. Before any issues are addressed, he and his team spend time with the patient to understand their goals and expectations. The…
Upper extremity technology plays catch-up
LEIPZIG, Germany — The human hand is a complex system of 27 bones, 33 muscles and 22 axis movements. When the hand is put into numbers, it becomes easier to recognize the complexities biomechanical engineers face when developing upper extremity…
Keynote speaker analyzes the expectations of the O&P spectrum
LEIPZIG, Germany — Bengt Soderberg, CPO, managing director, Scandinavian Orthopaedic Laboratory, discussed how expectations from all members of the O&P spectrum — from user to third party payer — contribute to the complexities of a lower extremity device fitting. Soderberg…