Scientists disavowing the use of their research by Medicare officials to justify proposed prosthetic limb reimbursement changes, the social media campaign #not­aluxury, and protests led by amputee rights groups and professional O&P organizations are among the voices protesting the proposed rule change.

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on August 26 published three updated guidelines for the management of diabetes that emphasize prevention and rapid care of diabetic foot problems and tight glucose control for adults and children.

The Freedom Innovation-sponsored AMP 1 national team of amputee basketball players in August competed in Los Angeles at the Nike 3on3 Tournament, winning three games of stand-up basketball against able-bodied players in the street basketball and fan festival.

Alabama State University’s (ASU) Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory in Montgomery in August installed an advanced gait analysis device that places patients in virtual reality simulations.

Gainesville, FL-based Opie Software and Bulldog Tools, of Lewisburg, OH, reported in August that Bulldog is now an integrated supplier within the Opie Purchasing & Inventory System and at oandp.com/shop. Bulldog designs, engineers, and manufactures certified O&P tools and products.

Tampa, FL-based Bauerfeind on July 19 announced a partnership with the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA).

Indianapolis, IN-based Allied OSI Labs noted in August that it is expanding its over-the-counter and durable medical equipment (DME) line by offering Medicare-reimbursable crutches for in-office dispensing.

Wound Repair & Regeneration on August 22 epublished results from a pivotal clinical trial showing Integra LifeSciences’s bilayer membrane skin regeneration system closed nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) faster than standard care.

Joseph “Joe” Arbogast, former co-owner and executive vice president of Mt. Sterling, OH-based prosthetic manufacturer WillowWood, died on August 10.

The global market value for prosthetics will rise slowly in the next few years, from just over $1 billion in 2014 to approximately $1.21 billion by 2021, hindered by reimbursement difficulties, according to an August 25 report by London, UK-based research and consulting firm GlobalData.

Burlington, MA-based Flexion Therapeutics reported on September 1 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for FX006, Flexion’s late-stage lead drug candidate for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

The Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada and the Quebec Rehabilitation Research Network in August awarded a CA$20,000 grant to Cadence Biomedical’s research collaborators for study of the Seattle-based company’s Kickstart device for stroke recovery.

Austin, TX-based Ottobock in August announced the creation of a business unit focused on off-the-shelf orthoses, fbracing, and supports. The Activity & Sports Medicine (ASM) unit combines products from Ottobock acquisitions Ortho Rehab, Bio Cybernetics International, and Cybertech and its global portfolio of orthotic solutions.

Peachtree City, GA-based Sigvaris sponsored an August 8 meeting between a Tennessee congressman and a wound care specialist and other stakeholders who support the Lymphdema Treatment Act. The act would amend the current Medicare statute to allow for coverage of compression supplies.