Hanger, Inc. (Austin, TX) and AT&T, through its AT&T Foundry innovation center, have developed a proof of concept for what the companies are calling the industry’s first standalone, network-connected monitoring device for prosthetic limbs. The device mounts onto a transtibial prosthesis and is fit with an LTE-M modem that syncs to the cloud without relying on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a separate mobile device.

Well-known lecturer, author, and educator, Paul R. Scherer, DPM, passed away October 1, 2018. Scherer contributed to the podiatric profession authoring numerous scientific articles and book chapters, as well as conducting and organizing a variety of scientific workshops at both national and state meetings.

Researchers at the University of Bristol, England, are leading the development of smart pants that are equipped with artificial muscles, which could help the elderly and disabled move around easily and unaided. The project, funded by a £2 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, incorporates several technologies including smart electronics and graphene.

With the start of a new school year and participation in after-school sports, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has shared the following fall sport safety tips designed to reduce young athletes’ risk of injury:

An interdisciplinary team of scientists from the University of Miami’s (UMiami’s) Miller School of Medicine and College of Engineering is poised to begin developing a novel, long-lasting treatment for meniscus tears. Meniscus tears, which are among the most common type of knee injuries, are currently treated via total or partial meniscectomy or suturing. In the long term, these treatments often result in meniscus degeneration, re-tear, and premature osteoarthritis of the knee.

On August 7, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published two new proposed issues for review by Performant Recovery, the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) for durable medical equipment prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS); home health; and hospice claims nationwide.