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Orthotic and Prosthetic Innovation: Tempering Enthusiasm with Caution
My perspective comes from 2 roles: Professional Standards Officer for the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and international lecturer with Human Study e.V., a non-profit organization that delivers and establishes prosthetic and orthotic education in regions and countries where formal and internationally recognized education in this field of medical practice does not exist. Working as an educator and regulator has me considering the impressive potential of 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology, while also recognizing considerations that are required before global implementation.
Technology, innovation, and the professional agility required to adopt change are accelerating at an unprecedented rate across industries. The orthotics/prosthetics industry is experiencing this with new products coming to market at a rate previously unseen. Rapid advancements are occurring at both ends of the technology scale. High-tech, high-cost computerized orthoses and prostheses are becoming increasingly predominant, while lower-cost 3D-printed devices are also emerging at the low end of the market.
In this Editorial, I’ll discuss the application of emerging low-cost technology—in particular, 3D printing.
By Louise Puli, BPO, MPH
Pes Anserine Tendino-Bursitis: To Inject or Not To Inject
It was with great interest that I reviewed the article, “Pes Anserine Tendino-Bursitis: An Underdiagnosed Cause of Knee Pain in Middle-Aged and Older Patients,” by Dr. Donald Pompan in the September issue of Lower Extremity Review. Dr. Pompan makes several valid points regarding this often-missed area of knee pain in this population. He nicely points out the concerns for a diagnosis whose basis relies on imaging studies rather than upon the history and physical examination. He also nicely describes the issues regarding treating patients with knee pain based upon imaging studies and the now numerous studies pointing out the lack of efficacy and potential for progression of arthritis with arthroscopic meniscal debridement surgeries.
With homelessness on the rise, a recent systematic review sought to characterize the foot problems of homeless persons, based on the available literature. The review included 17 articles with study populations from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.
Human anatomy guidelines group the ankle ligaments by two ligament complexes: the lateral collateral ligament and the medial or deltoid collateral ligament. Now, a University of Barcelona (UB) research team has defined a new anatomic structure in the ankle, the lateral fibulotalocalcaneal ligament complex (LFTCL).
The aging-induced increase in energy cost of walking can be slowed in older adults leading to improved mobility, according to new research published in the journal Innovation in Aging.
By Chris Klingenberg
Foot-arch height does not affect specific foot and general health-related quality of life (QOL), according to a recent study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology recently detailed the successful benchtop testing and pilot human movement studies of a 3D-printed knee brace. The brace, which has an embedded magnetic angle sensor and whose torsional stiffness can be adjusted by applying varying sizes of…
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 196 cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare polio-like condition, that causes weakness in the arms or legs, across 39 states in 2018. That number could rise as some cases are still under investigation.
Industry News & Updates
UA Researchers Study How to Regrow Long Bone Segments Using 3D Printing CMS Improperly Paid DMEPOS Suppliers American Joint Replacement Registry Releases 2018 Annual Report AOFAS Campaign Helps Consumers Make Informed Choices for Foot and Ankle Health ACSM Survey: Wearable Tech is New Top Fitness Trend for 2019 Weil Inducted into National Fitness Hall of Fame NUPOC Appoints New Director eWellness’ CEO Sells PT Clinics to Focus on Telehealth Platform
