Category Archives: MarketMechanics
October 2017
NIH funds $1.3M post-traumatic OA study
The National Institutes of Health in July awarded a $1.3 million grant to an Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis mechanical engineer to evaluate a new method of strengthening damaged cartilage and preventing arthritic progression. Continue reading
October 2017
Ottobock acquires Freedom Innovations
Duderstadt, Germany-based Ottobock HealthCare GmbH has acquired Irvine, CA-based Freedom Innovations from its previous owner, private equity company Health Evolution Partners. The two parties signed a confidential purchase agreement on September 22. Continue reading
October 2017
Mueller Sports is WFATT official supplier
Prairie du Sac, WI-based Mueller Sports Medicine in September cemented its relationship with the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy (WFATT), becoming their official supplier of sports medicine products. Continue reading
October 2017
NSF gives $500K for synthetic muscle work
The National Science Foundation (NSF) in September awarded a University of Houston (UH) engineer $500,000 to develop artificial muscle and tendons for prostheses. Continue reading
October 2017
CMS shelves controversial O&P proposal
The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in October withdrew a controversial proposal that would have restricted many physical therapists (PTs) from furnishing custom orthotic and prosthetic devices. Continue reading
October 2017
Footmaxx fits fishmongers with orthoses
Roanoke, VA-based Footmaxx in September partnered with Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market to deliver its custom Voyager orthoses to its fishmongers, who are known for their fish-throwing flair. Continue reading
October 2017
Therafirm adds sizing, pattern options
Kansas City, KS-based Therafirm in September expanded sizing options for its Ease Opaque gradient compression knee highs. Continue reading
October 2017
Dr. Comfort donates shoes to storm victims
Mequon, WI-based Dr. Comfort reported in September its donation of more than 500 pairs of its diabetic shoes to victims of hurricanes Harvey and Irma through the American Red Cross and Soles4Souls, a nonprofit based in Nashville, TN. Continue reading
October 2017
BOC offers 3-year pharmacy accreditation
The Owings Mills, MD-based Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) announced in October that it’s accepting applications for a new pharmacy compounding accreditation. Continue reading
October 2017
NWU promotes Fatone to professor
Northwestern University (NWU) in Chicago in September promoted Stefania Fatone, PhD, BPO(Hons), to professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation in the Feinberg School of Medicine. Continue reading
October 2017
Athletic training students win SWATA grants
The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in September reported the Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association awarded scholarships and research grants to three students in its graduate athletic training program at the association’s annual meeting in… Continue reading
October 2017
AOSSM, Aircast back return-to-play study
The Rosemont, IL-based American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and The Aircast Foundation, headquartered in Naples, FL, announced in September that the groups are funding a new grant of up to $150,000 for a clinical research… Continue reading
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
