Review the fitting techniques of six highly successful bilateral transfemoral prosthetic users and how their successes can be achieved.

Focus on a four and a half year old child with spastic diplegia secondary to cerebral palsy.

Details to come in the Preliminary Program Update.

This two day, four hour, hands-on program is limited to 50 attendees to ensure each attendee receives the appropriate attention. The program will include an introduction and orientation to IC designs, patient evaluation, objective measurements, impression procedure, cast modifications, overview of transverse shape, alignment, fitting and problem solving, ending with group discussion.

This two day, four hour, hands-on program is limited to 50 attendees to ensure each attendee receives the appropriate attention. The program will include an introduction and orientation to IC designs, patient evaluation, objective measurements, impression procedure, cast modifications, overview of transverse shape, alignment, fitting and problem solving, ending with group discussion.

Study patient/physical assessment skills including muscle testing, range of motion and observational gait analyses. Orthotists and a physical therapist will lead the two-part session including the discussion of four to five case studies.

Study patient/physical assessment skills including muscle testing, range of motion and observational gait analyses. Orthotists and a physical therapist will lead the two-part session including the discussion of four to five case studies.

Discuss the process of developing effective parent and community education materials.

Review the current plans for the provision of postgraduate education utilizing modular courses in an open learning format allowing participants to study at their own pace.

Consider the Kids First Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Village in Quang Tri, Vietnam and its serving as an example of non-governmental agencies coming together to help local people emerge from adversity, drive away the legacy of war and encourage self-sufficiency.

Discuss the results of a study comparing two types of skull pins as related to the incidence of pin loosening and pin infection.

Review the etiology and the pathomechanics of neuromuscular scoliosis, clinical evaluation, TLSO design criteria, and pad placement.

Consider the construction of a modified halo superstructure that included lateral side roll bars and was constructed from a 3D CT generated model of the twins’ bodies.

Contemplate how re-lasting results in a shoe that can accommodate severe deformities, which might otherwise require a custom-made shoe and offers faster delivery time, better compliance and significantly less cost.

Discuss the results of a study of skin temperatures within transtibial amputee sockets focusing on the fact that skin temperatures were higher near large muscle masses and at proximal locations.

View a logical approach to fitting extremely short transfemoral amputees with direct suction.

Consider the rehabilitation challenges individuals with multiple traumas such as burns or crush injuries with amputations present.

Be introduced to several innovative training techniques and specific exercises designed to maximize the use of the prosthesis and improve overall performance while protecting the athlete from injury.

Derive a basic overall understanding of the knee disarticulation fitting while developing referential recommendation criteria.

View a systematic method that illustrates how the Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP) can identify specific impairments that contribute to functional limitations and disability.

Discuss the results of an investigation into the use of a cheaper, low-end Rapid Prototyping technology, known as 3D Printing for the manufacture of prosthetic sockets.

Evaluate the significance of the activPAL professional in the monitoring of daily activity in the below knee amputee population.

Review the results of a single subject case study that was undertaken to assess the socket design of the Marlo Anatomical Socket (MAS) versus “standardized” ischial containment, hydraulic knee (Mauch SNS) versus microprocessor knee (Otto Bock C-Leg); and a dynamic elastic response foot (Otto Bock Luxon Max).

Discuss the methods and results of a study measuring the cognitive interference during walking in transfemoral amputees

Review study results meant to determine if unilateral transtibial amputees were more mobile, could more easily perform everyday activities, and experienced less pain and fatigue while wearing a shock-absorbing pylon compared to a rigid pylon.

Be introduced to a new set of guidelines and decision tree for the diagnosis and treatment of deformational plagiocephaly.

Investigate the relationship between these devices and deformational plagiocephaly.

Examine the child with central nervous system dysfunction with whom dynamic orthotic bracing is most effective, identify common upper extremity problems associated with spasticity and joint contracture and review criteria to evaluate candidates for a casting and orthotic program.

Review results of a study investigating the specific effects of holding a mobility aid on the ability to perform adequate compensatory reactions to unexpected postural perturbation.

Discuss two studies that applied motor learning principles of bilateral transfer and contextual interference to promote functional use of an upper-extremity prosthesis.

Review the effects of training on the use of a simulated prosthetic device.

Examine how effectively persons using an upper extremity prosthetic simulator could produce specific grip force levels over 15 trials with and without vision.

Assess a new terminal device that has been developed offering users a choice between voluntary opening (VO) and voluntary closing (VC) operation along with variable mechanical advantage (VMA) and passive holding assist in a single unit.

Examine the results of a survey of child amputee clinics in North America that explored age and developmental factors in fitting the first prosthesis and the subsequent arm with an active operating system.

Review the design of a three-site myoelectrically controlled prosthesis intended to provide, for the first time, the feeling of true “natural physiological control” of a myoelectric prosthesis for an individual with an amputation above the transradial level.

Examine present impression techniques with respect to use in body powered and external control systems. Advantages and disadvantages will be illustrated in application of various designs.

Consider the clinical experience of recent beta field trials for the new Sensor Hand System as well as its new features and adjustments. Review the clinical application of the “Auto-Grasp Feature”.

Discuss clinical experience with both simultaneous control, the new variety of control inputs, indications of the most appropriate candidates for these features, and the training required to make use of them. Technical considerations for the development of the new system will be discussed and the implications for a practitioner fitting a new candidate.

Review the Transradial Anatomically Contoured (TRAC) interface and how it incorporates design elements from both the Muenster and Northwestern interfaces with more aggressive contouring of the anatomy to maximize load tolerant areas of the residual limb as demonstrated by the radiological analysis.

Discuss current accepted and newer orthotic modalities in children including both upper and lower extremity prescriptions. The use of motion analysis will be incorporated as well. Case presentations and audience participation will round out the program.

Radiographic evaluation of scoliosis shall be reviewed in depth with a focus on centralizing alignment beginning with initial evaluation, to blueprinting of orthotic forces, to “in orthosis” evaluation. Classification systems of scoliosis shall be reviewed with emphasis on the Lenke classification.

Learn different approaches to managing amputee athletes involved in competitive and recreational sports. A multidisciplinary perspective will be provided by prosthetists and a physical therapist. Athletes’ perspectives and experiences will also be shared. The evolution and development of modern components, socket designs, materials, and techniques that have helped improve performance and in some cases may reduce injuries for amputee athletes will be reviewed.

Managing Peripheral Neuropathies in the lower extremity peripheral nerve injuries to the lower limb present a perplexing problem to the orthotist. An isolated nerve injury will often times affect a specific muscle group in the lower limb. Not having complete paralysis in the limb requires an orthosis that will not block function. The orthosis must selectively add stability or assistance in the gait segment that is affected by the neuromuscular deficit.

Review the various etiologies that lead to peripheral neuropathies, the surgical intervention, prognosis and case studies that illustrate the use of enhanced gait orthoses with David G. Kline, MD, a Boyd Professor and Chairman of Neurosurgery at the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans.

Review the latest innovations and applications in prosthetic technology.

In March of 2003, prosthetists, orthopaedic surgeons, physiatrists, physical therapists, and peer counselors convened a Clinical Standards of Practice Consensus Conference (CSOP). Seventeen professionals gathered to objectively evaluate the current literature and standards of care in the post-operative period following major lower limb amputation. This report reveals the discussions and recommendations for future study and care.

An introduction to the concept of “ethics” and how it relates to the topic of coding. Where do you fall on the “Ethics-O-Meter”?

Get tips on how to keep the cash flow moving to maintain a profitable business.

Competition is tough. Gain insight on how to make your practice stand above the rest.

Employee loyalty and length of service are key to the success of any company. Learn more about keeping your employees happy in the workplace.

When patients test our patience, maintaining positive relationships can be difficult. Some patients in particular seem to frustrate our best effort at getting along. This symposium will focus on some of the interpersonal challenges practitioners face. Practical strategies for preventing conflicts, and resolving them effectively when they occur, will be presented.

Stroke is an important disease and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability; it is a common problem that disrupts the lives of approximately 600,000 people in the U.S. each year. Focusing on the contemporary orthotic management of stoke patients, the presenters will provide the audience with an understanding of the disease and recovery process and how orthotic management can be utilized to optimize patient function.

Discuss the growing problem of obese patients and the structural loads they apply to custom prostheses and orthoses. Review the primary factors that lead to structural failure of custom O&P devices and present practical suggestions on how to minimize these risks practical suggestions on how to minimize these risks analyzing orthoses and prostheses that have failed in clinical use. The presentation will be conducted via real-time video-conferencing from Australia and will include a live interactive question and answer session between the audience in New Orleans and the mechanical engineer in Melbourne.

Discuss the individual roles of the team members, including physicians, therapists, nurse case managers, phyicians assistants, and practitioners in the team process and their visions on how we can further improve team dynamics to produce better patient outcomes. Clinical approaches and philosophies will be discussed. Audience interaction is strongly encouraged.

Discuss the future of research in orthotics and prosthetics as well as evidence-based outcomes in the areas of upper-extremity prosthetics and microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees. This symposium will also present a model by which practitioners can see the value and importance of outcome measurements on their individual practices, markets and the profession as a whole.

Learn of the significant need for ongoing prosthetic/orthotic services in developing countries where most who need services are the rural or urban poor who cannot afford them. Speakers with extensive international experience will emphasize the humanitarian need but also focus on how getting involved can be relevant to your day-to-day practice.

Participate in a session focusing on a variation of ischial containment socket design which modifies the shape and trim line of the AK socket to provide superior cosmesis, improves ROM, sitting comfort and gait in transfemoral amputees.

Be the first to hear the results of this unique study using fluoroscopy and roentegram plain films of cadavers to measure how much motion occurs from supine to upright and what characteristics of the orthosis contribute to the occurrence of motion.

Review the first application of the “mirror reflection” technique to people with amputations. Discuss the use of this technique in the treatment of phantom limb pain and facilitating adaptation to prosthesis.

Address the importance of paying particular attention to the overall spine balance, specifically the coronal plane, in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.