Category Archives: MarketMechanics
September 2017
Lower extremity orgs help hurricane victims
Lower extremity organizations and business stepped up to donate resources and funds to victims of September’s devastating hurricanes, Harvey and Irma. Rockford, MI-based Wolverine Worldwide partnered with the American Red Cross… Continue reading
September 2017
G&W Heel Lift celebrates half century
Family owned G&W Heel Lift in August celebrated 50 years of supplying custom heel and foot lifts to its customers. Based in Cuba, MO, the company’s signature product is its cork heel lift, designed to address complications from issues such as altered gait, Achilles tendinitis, and Achilles tendon repair. Continue reading
September 2017
Diabetes Council issues shoe guideline
The Diabetes Council, an educational website for people with type 2 diabetes run by healthcare professionals, in August published a guide to buying therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes. Continue reading
September 2017
AAOS offers Pain Awareness Month tips
The Rosemont, IL-based American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is marking September as Pain Awareness Month by offering comprehensive tips for safe and effective pain relief and safe disposal of prescription pain medications to help minimize opioid use and misuse. Continue reading
September 2017
Amgen drug beats osteoporosis standard
The New England Journal of Medicine on September 11 epublished the results of a trial of more than 4000 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and a previous fragility fracture, in which a monoclonal antibody made by Thousand Oaks, CA-based Amgen outperformed a commonly used and effective osteoporosis medication in preventing new fractures. Continue reading
September 2017
Dr. Comfort prototype improves balance
BMC Geriatrics on September 11 epublished a study examining the effects of prototype footwear made by Mequon, WI-based Dr. Comfort used with textured insoles on balance in older women. Continue reading
September 2017
Rand study backs advanced device use
The Santa Monica, CA-based nonprofit Rand Health in September epublished a study showing advanced prostheses used by transfemoral amputees produce significant improvements in physical function and significant reductions in the incidence of falls and… Continue reading
September 2017
NBA, GE give bone injury grants to HSS
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and GE Healthcare Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Collaboration announced in September they were awarding almost $400,000 for the study of bone stress injuries to two research teams at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in Manhattan. Continue reading
September 2017
AOPA awards Zahedi, others at congress
The Alexandria, VA-based American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) honored Saeed Zahedi, OBE, FREng, BSc, PhD, FIMechE, CEng, RDI, with its Lifetime Achievement Award at its September World Congress in Las Vegas. Continue reading
September 2017
HP, Superfeet pilot 3D retail platform
Palo Alto, CA-based Hewlett Packard (HP) in September announced Ferndale, WA-based Superfeet is piloting in select stores its new retail foot scanning platform that performs dynamic gait analysis of customers’ feet with a combination of 3D scanning and pressure plate technology Continue reading
September 2017
Ottobock develops pediatric knee joint
Austin, TX-based Ottobock HealthCare in September reported it has developed the first everyday prosthesis with hydraulic swing phase control specifically for children. Continue reading
August 2017
House approves AOPA-backed legislation
The Alexandria, VA-based American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) reported the US House of Representatives on July 25 voted to approve a bill that includes an O&P provision recognizing the orthotist-prosthetist’s notes as part of the medical record in Medicare Medical Necessity Determinations. Continue reading
August 2017
BraceLab formed to market Push Braces
Occupational therapist Judy C. Colditz, OT/L, CHT, FAOTA, announced in July that she has formed a new company, Raleigh, NC-based BraceLab, and completed an agreement for it to be the exclusive US distributor of Push Braces, owned by Nea International BV in Maastricht, the Netherlands. Continue reading
August 2017
Vicon unveils Vertex compact camera
Oxford, UK-based Vicon in July released a new 1.3 megapixel compact camera, the Vertex. Continue reading
August 2017
Ottobock hosts adaptive training event
Minneapolis, MN-based Ottobock on August 2 sponsored an adaptive training event the evening before the start of the three-day Amputee Coalition National Conference, held in Louisville, KY. Continue reading
August 2017
Wright highlights foot and ankle systems
Wright Medical Group highlighted three new lower extremity systems at the July 12-15 American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) 2017 Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA. Continue reading
August 2017
FDA clears foot/ankle In2Bones systems
Memphis, TN-based In2Bones USA reported in July it has received US Food and Drug Administration clearance for its new fracture repair and correction systems. Continue reading
August 2017
APTA reaches 100K-member mark
The Alexandria, VA-based American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in August reported it has achieved a major membership milestone: 100,000 members. Continue reading
August 2017
Össur brace mimics native ACL function
The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine on July 6 epublished study data showing support with an Össur dynamic force anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) brace better matches the angle-dependent forces of a native ACL than a static force ACL brace. Continue reading
August 2017
Orthotic designer John Sabolich dies
John Alan Sabolich, CPO, owner and clinical director of Scott Sabolich Prosthetics & Research in Oklahoma City, OK, died July 23. He was 68. Continue reading
August 2017
AOFAS launches awareness campaign
The Rosemont, IL-based American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) in July launched a consumer awareness campaign and website to help the public recognize the value of seeking a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon for foot and ankle care. Continue reading
August 2017
APMA contributes ‘Choosing Wisely’ list
The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) on August 1 published a “Choosing Wisely” list from the Bethesda, MD-based American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Continue reading
August 2017
Pacira’s Exparel cuts post-TKA opioid use
The Journal of Arthroplasty in August published data showing local infiltration analgesia (LIA) with liposomal bupivacaine (LB) made by Parsippany, NJ-based Pacira Pharmaceuticals improves pain scores and reduces opioid use after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared with LIA alone. Continue reading
August 2017
CIHR MSK institute names Kahn director
The Ottawa, Ontario-based Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in July appointed Karim Khan, PhD, scientific director of its Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, effective October 1. Continue reading
August 2017
Cleveland Clinic to host wound care event
The Cleveland Clinic announced in July that it plants to host the 2017 Limb Salvage and Woundcare Symposium October 6-7 in Independence, OH. The continuing medical education event will feature lectures, panel discussion, and case studies focused on limb revascularization and wound care for patients with diabetes. Continue reading
