The Amputee Coalition announced that it has elected Ron Drach, a wounded Vietnam War veteran, to its board of directors, according to a press release. Drach sustained a leg amputation as a result of combat wounds and earned a Purple…
Year: 2013
Health reform enhances financial protection for young adults
The provision of the Affordable Care Act allowing young adults to remain on their parents’ medical insurance until age 25 has increased the number of young adults with health insurance and shielded them from the full financial consequences of serious…
Revascularization decreased amputation rate in patients with PAD
The use of revascularization reduced amputation rates by 40% over 2 decades in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), according to research presented at the Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Meeting in San Francisco. The study, conducted by researchers at…
Statin use associated with musculoskeletal conditions, injuries
Using statins to lower cholesterol may be associated with the development of musculoskeletal conditions, joint diseases and injuries, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Researchers from the VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, used data from…
Survey reveals negative response to CMS prostheses documentation template
A survey conducted by Quality Outcomes revealed that participants of the Open Door Forum held by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) on May 28 are more discouraged about the future of the O&P profession after attending the forum.…
Scab-inspired membrane speeds wound healing
A new wound dressing material that mimics a human scab reduces the risk of infection and speeds the healing process, according to recent study results. Inspired by the anisotropic protein nanofibers found in a scab, the researchers fabricated a polyurethane…
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has demonstrated that advanced prostheses that relate sensory feedback can be controlled through nerve and muscle interfaces, according to a news release. The peripheral interfaces, developed by DARPA’s Reliable Neural-Interface Technology (RE-NET) program,…
DARPA prosthetic interfaces provide nerve, muscle control
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has demonstrated that advanced prostheses that relate sensory feedback can be controlled through nerve and muscle interfaces, according to a news release. The peripheral interfaces, developed by DARPA’s Reliable Neural-Interface Technology (RE-NET) program,…
Heavier tissue flaps increase risk of fat necrosis after breast reconstruction
The weight of tissue flap used for women undergoing breast reconstruction after mastectomy affects the risk of fat necrosis, according to recent study results. Researchers analyzed risk factors for fat necrosis in 123 women undergoing breast reconstruction after mastectomy for…
ABC launches accreditation program for central fabrication facilities
The American Board of Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC) announced the completion of the first comprehensive accreditation program exclusively for central fabrication facilities and is now accepting applications. The program will ensure that the entire continuum of…