Lower Extremity Review
A legal encounter with a patient led this podiatrist to rethink how and what he communicates with patients. Many of us are increasingly pushed to provide a greater amount of care along with reducing costs or increasing the value of each patient office visit.
By Donald Pelto, DPM
Hyochol “Brian” Ahn, PhD, ANP-BC, an associate professor with Cizik School of Nursing at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), believes knee pain can be stopped by administering tiny electrical charges to the brain’s primary motor cortex. The brain is an electrochemical organ that processes pain, according to Ahn, and his team is trying to desensitize the areas tied to knee pain.
A Virginia Tech research team, led by Associate Professor Michael Philen, PhD, of the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, and Professor Michael Madigan, PhD, of the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, has received a $400,000 National Science Foundation grant to study residual limb volume loss and develop smart prosthetic sockets to improve comfort and performance in prostheses.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced the following updates, which are effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2020: New L-Code: A new lower extremity–related Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code has been added.
Regina Weger has been promoted to president of SPS, Alpharetta, GA; the company is a subsidiary of Hanger, Austin, TX. Weger has been with SPS for over 20 years, starting in the customer service function. She most recently served as vice president and general manager.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing financing of up to €100 million to Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA, Duderstadt, Germany. The company will use the funds over the next three years to fund new product development and product improvements with a focus on prosthetics, orthoses, and human mobility. The loan is backed by a guarantee from the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).
Cascade Orthopedic Supply, Chico, CA, announced an investment made in the company by Ottobock North America, Austin TX; details of the transaction were not disclosed. The investment aims to strengthen the collaboration of the two companies to further improve access to product for all orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) customers and…
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has approved a Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics (P&O) at Kennesaw State University. It will be housed in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management in the WellStar College of Health and Human Services.
OrthoPediatrics announced the launch of QuickPack, a fully synthetic bone graft substitute featuring high viscosity, calcium phosphate cement that closely mimics the mineral phase of natural bone. The product is supplied in a user-friendly, self-contained, closed loop double-syringe delivery system…
Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas has unveiled the compact and efficient KDR AU Advanced U-Arm, which has the image-acquisition capability of Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR). DDR, or X-ray that Moves, provides a cine loop of rapidly acquired, diagnostic-quality images depicting full views of articulatory mobility.
The MedSurg DUO shoe is built to provide patients with hassle-free durability and comfort, while providing pressure relief to the post-op or wound site. According to the company, the DUO shoe is constructed of 2 different densities of EVA to provide up to 40% more plantar pressure reduction than…
SilhouetteLite+ is a smart phone–based imaging product designed to enable accurate measurements, images, and data capture of soft tissue and skin lesions, such as diabetic foot ulcers. The SilhouetteLite+ system, in conjunction with the suite of Silhouette products, allows for wound documentation at the point of care or via telehealth solutions.
The proprietary iFit Image-to-Implant technology platform from Conformis is used to develop and manufacture joint replacement implants customized to fit each patient’s unique anatomy. The company recently announced US Food & Drug Administration clearance of its 3D-designed Conformis Hip System.
PediFix has added LowShock Gel Heel Wedges to its product line. These newly designed heel wedges are constructed from shock absorbing Pedi-GEL, an exclusive gel material that offers shock absorption and long-term use advantages that older wedges do not.
Newly available from Elite Orthopaedics is the Armor 8 Lace Up Ankle Brace, which is designed to provide stability and protection. The figure-8 non-stretch wrap is engineered to stabilize the ankle and help control abnormal eversion and inversion. The brace uses a unique soft, pliable armor to limit inversion, eversion, flexion, and extension movements.
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