Award Winners

Thranhardt Award Winners

Browse the Academy’s most distinguished presentations by year or search by author and topic:

2025

🏆 Winner

Goal Attainment and Reduction in Walking Aids: Interim Results from the C-brace® Registry

Russ Lundstrom, MS

🏆 Winner

Pain & Performance: Important Considerations for Outcome Measure Assessment

Samantha J. Stauffer, CPO, MSOP, FAAOP 

2024

🏆 Winner

Setting Expectations for Cranial Remolding Orthosis Treatment Based on Changing Rates of Cranial Vault Asymmetry

Jennifer A. Richards, MA, CPO 

🏆 Winner

Response Probabilities of PLUS-M Scores for Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation

Jennifer A. Richards, MA, CPO 

2023

🏆 Winner

PROMIS-UE Physical Function Demonstrates Good Clinical Utility for Patients Following Upper-Limb Prosthesis Intervention

Phillip M. Stevens, CPO, MEd 

🏆 Winner

Initial Construct Validity of the Orthotic Patient-reported Outcomes – Mobility (OPRO-M) Item Bank for Assessing Mobility of Lower Limb Orthosis Users

Geoff Balkman, PhD, L/CPO 

2022

🏆 Winner

A Multi-Site Randomized Cross-Over Study of a “Test-Drive” Strategy for Prosthetic Foot Prescription

David Morgenroth, MD 

🏆 Winner

Effect Of Orthoses on Balance in Cerebral Palsy: Traditional Solid AFO Versus Ankle-Foot Orthoses Footwear Combination

Kristie Bjornson, PT, PhD, MS 

Archive (1996–2021)

2021 — Virtual

  • The Association of Functional Mobility and Injurious Falls Among Adults With Lower Limb Amputation — Taavy Miller, CPO, PhD
  • Lifetime Differences in Mobility Among Lower Limb Prosthesis Users — Shane Wurdeman, PhD

2020 — Chicago, IL

  • Gender Bias in Orthotics and Prosthetics Clinical Residency Education — Georgiana Andrews, BS, LPOS
  • Microprocessor Knee Technology Reduces Odds of Incurring an Injurious Fall for Diabetic/Dysvascular Amputees — Shane Wurdeman, PhD, CP, FAAOP(D)

2019 — Orlando, FL

  • Classification Tree to Determine Probability of Amputee Functional Potential — Shane R. Wurdeman, PhD, CP, FAAOP
  • Fear-Avoidance Behavior among Persons with Lower-Limb Amputation — Shannon L. Mathis, PhD

2018 — New Orleans, LA

  • Functional Bracing for Treatment of Pediatric Diaphyseal Femoral Fractures: An Alternative to Spica Casting? — David Speers, CPO/L
  • A Narrowing Beam Walking Test Differentiates Lower-Limb Prosthesis Users with and without a History of Falls with Greater Accuracy than Other Clinical Tests — Andrew Sawers, PhD, CPO

2017 — Chicago, IL

  • The Contribution of Vestibular Sensory integration to Mobility in People with Unilateral Transtibial Amputation Comparison — Jennifer Lynn Lucarevic, PT, DPT, PhD Candidate
  • Reduced Turn Ability, Transfer Ability, and Balance Confidence in Prosthesis Users with History of Falls — Jonathan S. Akins, PhD

2016 — Orlando, FL

  • Margins of Stability in Children with Cerebral Palsy Diplegia: Barefoot vs. AFO Comparison — Michelle Hall, MS, CPO, FAAOP(D)
  • Effect of Daily Limb Volume Changes and Volume Accommodation on Activity and Self-Reported Outcomes — Joan Sanders, PhD

2015 — New Orleans, LA

  • Ankle-Foot Orthoses for Children with Myelomeningocele: Functional Effects under a Dual-Task Paradigm — Nikta Pirouz, CPO
  • Quantification of Residual Limb Skin Health and Circulation in Response to Elevated Vacuum Suspension — Matthew Wernke, PhD

2014 — Chicago, IL

  • Ankle Push-off and Mechanical Energy Flow in Human Gait — Liang-Wey Chang, PhD, CO, PE
  • Stride-to-Stride Fluctuations Are Related Before and After Adaptation for an Appropriate Prosthesis — Shane Wurdeman, PhD, MS, CP

2013 — Orlando, FL

  • Transtibial Amputee Fluid Volume Changes during Different Activities — Joan Sanders, PhD
  • Normative PEQ-MS and ABC Scores Among Persons with Lower Limb Loss — Brian Hafner, PhD

2012 — Atlanta, GA

  • Spinal Motion during Walking in Persons with Transfemoral Amputation with and without Low Back Pain — Stefania Fatone, PhD, BPO (Hons); Azucena G. Rodriguez, PhD (Presented as an Academy Webinar)
  • Is a Rigid Footplate as Effective as an Articulated AFO in Controlling Idiopathic Toe Walking? — Mark Geil, PhD; Kinsey Herrin, MSPO (Presented as an Academy Webinar)

2011 — Orlando, FL

  • Impairment Variables Predicting Activity Limitation in Lower Limb Amputees — Michele Raya, PhD, PT, SCS, ATC (Not currently available online)
  • The Effect of Stance Control Orthoses on Gait Characteristics and Energy Expenditure in Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis Users — Priya Davis, BPO (Hons) (Not currently available online)

2010 — Chicago, IL

  • Randomized Cross-over Study of AFO Ankle Components in Adults with Post-stroke Hemiplegia — Stefania Fatone, PhD, BPO(Hons)
  • How Accurate Are Carved Positives Made by Central Fabrication Facilities? — Joan Sanders, PhD

2009 — Atlanta, GA

  • Patient Evaluation of an Unloader Knee Brace: A Prospective Cohort Study — Karen Briggs, MBA, MPH (Not currently available online)
  • Physiological Responses of Amputees During Treadmill Exercise in Running—Specific Prostheses Compared to Traditional Prostheses and to Matched Non-Amputee Runners — Mary Beth Brown, MSPT, ATC, PhD; Andrew Allison
  • Dynamic Analyses of an ARGO User — W.B. Johnson, MS (Academy TODAY article)
  • Pedaling Asymmetry in Cyclists with Unilateral Transtibial Amputations and the Effects of Prosthetic Foot Stiffness — W. Lee Childers, MSPO

2008 — Orlando, FL

  • Vacuum-Formed Removable Rigid Dressing Compared with Conventional Rigid Dressing after Transtibial Amputation — Anton Johannesson, CPO
  • The Effects of Ankle Foot Orthosis on Gait Parameters of Acute and Chronic Hemiplegic Subjects — Jason Wening, MS, CP

2007 — San Francisco, CA

  • Comparison of Measurements of Residual Limb Shape using CAD versus Conventional Devices — Mark D. Geil, PhD
  • Dermatological Problems with Prosthetic Roll-on Liners — Michelle J. Hall, CPO, FAAOP

2006 — Chicago, IL & AOPA Hollywood, FL

  • Effect of Ankle Foot Orthoses on Roll-Over Shape in People with Hemiplegia — Andrew Hansen, PhD; Stefania Fatone, PhD
  • Comparing the Transition and Use of a Non-Microprocessor Controlled Prosthesis for Transfemoral Amputee — Brian Hafner, PhD
  • Comparing Alternative Knee Design — Hugh Herr, PhD (Contact AOPA)
  • Update On a 5 Year, 1,000 Patient Study on Post Operative Hip Abduction Orthoses Treatment Outcomes — Richard Miller, CO (Contact AOPA)

2005 — Orlando, FL & AOPA Las Vegas

  • The Influence of How Much a Scoliosis Orthosis is Worn and its Ability to Prevent Curve Progression in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis — Donald E. Katz, CO, LO, FAAOP
  • Postoperative Use of the Cranial Remodeling Orthosis — Timothy R. Littlefield, MS
  • Examination of Prosthetic Malalignment Using Motion Capture — Edward S. Neumann, Ph.D., P.E., CP, FAAOP (Contact AOPA)
  • Conservative Realignment Therapies for the Treatment of Varus Knee OA: A Focus on the Immediate Effects — Howard J. Hillstrom, Ph.D. (Contact AOPA)

2004 — New Orleans, LA & AOPA Hollywood, FL

  • Medial Ramus Containment Socket Design for Tranfemoral Prosthesis — Marlo Ortiz
  • Coronal Plane Trunk Shifts and Decompensational Perspectives in a New Design of an Asymmetrical TLSO Module — Keith M. Smith, CO, LO, FAAOP
  • A New Concept in Prosthetic Interface Design For Hemicorporectomy Amputees Utilizing ROHO Compression Therapy: A Case Study from a Prosthetist's Prespective — Jon Wilson, CP, LP (Contact AOPA)
  • Exploring the Phantom Phenomenon from a Pyschophysiological Perspective — Jim Price, PhD., CPO (Contact AOPA)

2003 — San Diego, CA & AOPA Reno, NV

  • Balancing Scoliosis with Pads Superior to Apex — Thomas H. Colburn, CO, FAAOP
  • The Functional Value of Prosthetic Foot/ Ankle Systems to the Transtibial Amputee — Robert S. Gailey, PhD, PT
  • Weight-Bearing Suspension Ankle Foot Orthosis — Jason L. Bradshaw, CO (Contact AOPA)
  • Comparison of Rectified and Unrectified Amputee Sockets — Jack R. Engsberg, PhD (Contact AOPA)

2002 — Orlando, FL & AOPA Chicago, IL

  • The Impact of Articulated Knees on Infants and Toddlers — Brian Giavedoni, CP, MBA
  • A Preliminary Report on Measuring the Rate of PolypropyleneRecrystallization After Clinical Thermoforming Through the Use of Differential Scanning Calorimetry — Gary G. Bedard, CO, FAAOP (Not currently available online)
  • Plexus Bed: Immobilization for Infants Following Brachial Plexus — Mark K. Taylor, MLS, CPO, FAAOP (Contact AOPA)
  • A Case Study Using X-Ray and Flouroscopy to Determine the Vitals Elements of Transfemoral Interface Design — Jason T. Kahle, CPO (Contact AOPA)

2001 — Dallas, TX & AOPA Phoenix, AZ

  • An Auto-Adaptive External Knee Prosthesis — Hugh Herr, PhD (Not currently available online)
  • Evidence Based Medicine, the Amputee Mobility Predictor and the Ability to Demonstrate Prosthetic Performance — Robert Gailey, PhD, PT (Not currently available online)
  • Preliminary Assessment of the C-Leg Knee Unit as Compared to Conventional Hydraulic Knee Units — Ed Ayyappa, Ms, CPO, FAAOP (Contact AOPA)
  • Preliminary Assessment of the C-Leg Knee Unit as Compared to Conventional Hydraulic Knee Units — Dana Craig, BS (Contact AOPA)
  • Orthotic Management of the Hip to Prevent Dislocation in Adult Patients — Dulcey Lima, CO, OTR (Contact AOPA)

2000 — San Diego, CA & AOPA Washington, DC

  • Stance Controlled Orthotic Knee Joints: A Report on a Collaborative Research Project — James H. Campbell, PhD, CO
  • Factors that Influence Outcome in Bracing Large Curves in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis — Donald E. Katz, CO (also AOPA)
  • Pin Heating Phenomena with Use of Halo Fixation in the MRI — Jeffrey A. Nemeth, CO
  • A Prospective Clinical Study of Transtibial Amputees Using a Prefabricated Adjustable Postoperative Prosthesis and Early Controlled Ambulation — John Rheinstein, CP
  • Clinical Application of Roll-On Sleeves for Myoelectric Prostheses — Wayne K. Daly, CPO

1999 — New Orleans, LA & AOPA Reno, NV

  • Post Polio Syndrome - What Does this Mean Orthotically? — Mark K. Taylor, MLS, CPO
  • Ischial Ramal Socket Fundamentals — Gerald Stark, CP
  • Walking Effect of Dynamic Response Rehabilitation Gait Orthosis in Patients with Neurological Disorders — Stig Willner, MD, PhD (Contact AOPA)
  • Vacuum Socket System for BK Amputees — Glenn Street, PhD (Contact AOPA)
  • Vacuum Socket System for BK Amputees — Carl Caspers, CPO (Contact AOPA)

1998 — Miami Beach, FL & AOPA Chicago, IL

  • Comparitive Kinematic Analysis of Thermoplastic AFO — David J. Hoy, CPO
  • Conventional & Hydrostatic Transtibial Interface Comparison — Jason T. Kahle, CPO
  • Critical Factors in Electronically Powered Upper Extremity Prosthetics — John M. Miguelez, CP (Contact AOPA)
  • Orthotic Treatment of Neuromuscular Scoliosis: A Biomechanical Approach — Thomas M. Gavin, CO (Contact AOPA)

1997 — San Francisco & AOPA Charlotte, NC

  • Revolutionary Control and Battery Schemes for Externally Powered Upper-Limb Prosthesis: Update and Clincial Case Presenations — C. Michael Schuch, CPO, FISPO, FAAOP (Not currently available online)
  • A Comparison Between the Boston Brace and the Charleston Bending Brace in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis — Donald E. Katz, CO (Not currently available online)
  • Load Bearing Relief and PTBO Applications — Deanna J. Fish, MS, CPO (Contact AOPA)
  • Pressure Measurement For Both Prosthetic and Orthotic Devices — Leland Felix, CPO (Contact AOPA)

1996 — Orlando, FL & AOPA Cincinnati, OH

  • Flex-Foot vs Sach Foot: A Combination of Physiological Gait Parameters During Ambulation in Persons with Above Knee Amputations — Donald Shurr, CPO, PT
  • Geometric Analysis of Coronal Decompensation in Idiopathic Scoliosis — Tom Gavin, CO
  • Physiological Measurements of Gait During Walking and Running in Transibial Amputees Using Various Systems — Donald Shurr, CPO, PT (Contact AOPA)
  • Natural History of Rheumatoid Disease — John J. Kamp, CO (Contact AOPA)