The O&P professional is uniquely qualified to provide the necessary care for the epidemic of diabetic foot complications. This hands-on workshop will define products and techniques to provide services that are both effective and cost-efficient.

OMEGA Tracer, O&P's leading CAD system, is constantly adding new features to its vast assortment of functions and tools for dealing with a wide array of clinical issues. Furthermore, users often find interesting ways of applying these tools to solve clinical problems in unique ways. With this in mind, we invite current OMEGA Tracer users to attend our inaugural User's Group Workshop. This session will provide an opportunity for OMEGA Tracer users to learn about recently-added features and to share the tips and tricks that they have developed through their own use.

Discuss new ways to maximize your dollar while delivering quality patient care. BioSculptor has developed solutions for the small independent clinic, the midsize facility and the multi-office practice. Topics covered include non-contact, twin head laser digitizing (Scorpion), virtual casting contact digitizing, automated laser digitizing, the Biosculptor mill, CAM labs (central fabrication), custom socket by measurements, custom TLSO by measurements, AFO's, cranial helmets, burn masks, CT and MRI data acquisition, CAM foam, and modification software and associated clinical techniques which make for quick implementation.

Boston Brace International (BBI) is pleased to present a new approach to the non-operative treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis - The TriaC. This system has been used throughout Europe for over 5 years, and now is being introduced to the United States. The "three C's", stand for Comfort, Control, and Cosmetics. Review principles of scoliosis treatment, criteria for patient selection, and demonstrate measurement and fitting technique. The workshop will review the Boston Brace principles (many of which are shared by the TriaC), blueprinting, and brace design. Participants will practice both blueprinting and brace design on several types of curve patterns.

Discuss the topics of the history of spinal stabilization, the mechanics of spinal stabilization, and the available modalities for spinal stabilization and problems associated with each. The demonstration involves an introduction to and question and answer session for the VertAlign® Spinal Support System and ComfAlign® Spinal System, with a demonstration of product selection, application, special ordering, and custom measuring.

Enhance your clinical knowledge at this exciting technical forum by learning more about Freedom Innovations' line of lower limb prosthetic products. Topics of discussion include, but are not limited to, proper product selection, alignment, socket modification techniques, troubleshooting and billing recommendations. Those who attend will be provided an update on Freedom's latest technological advancements.

For the first time designers were able to draw the basic requirements of an advanced prosthetic foot and identify the specification for shock management, heel transient removal as well as enhancing rollover to dorsiflexion. This presentation aims to reveal the design principle and biomechanical factors considered in creation of concept and outcome monitored over a year.

Find out the answers to these questions and more when you attend this RGO/SPL Workshop:
- Do your patients excel with the RGO's?
- What are the critical things I need to look at when fitting RGO's?
- Is my patient really a candidate for the SPL Knee Joint?
- Why do I need to do a Manual Muscle Test?
- Did the Physical Therapist teach the patient to stand in their RGO?
- How do I change the alignment of the RGO?
- How does step length affect the SPL Knee Joint?

Furthering the function of how the socket interfaces with the residual limb is the critical component dictating the outcome of prosthetic performance. Since the creation of the first ICEROSS silicone suspension system many advances have been made in all areas. As the recognized innovator of socket systems, Össur is on the brink of once again revolutionizing socket design and function. This session will review current advancements and technologies that will further the stability, comfort and control of the prosthesis.

For many decades, rehabilitation experts have been searching for an orthosis that will safely support a weakened or paralyzed leg without locking the knee and interfering with swing phase function. Horton's Stance - Control Knee™ Joint [SCOKJ®] automatically engages and disengages a lock against flexion, offering the patient both stance phase security and swing phase toe clearance. Preliminary gait studies have demonstrated a substantial reduction in the energy cost of ambulation compared to a locked-knee gait.

This special two-part workshop will be taught by John W. Michael, MEd, CPO, FAAOP, FISPO and will include a detailed review of the sagittal plane mechanics of normal and pathologic gait. Practical instruction on selection, fabrication, adjustment, fitting, and troubleshooting the SCOKJ® will be presented in a multimedia format.

The morning session runs from 8:30am – 12:30pm; the afternoon session is from 1:30-5:30pm. ABC Certified or State Licensed practitioners who attend BOTH the morning and afternoon segments of this Qualifying Course and successfully complete the written examination will be qualified to order the SCOKJ®. Technicians and other interested individuals are also welcome to attend but will not become qualified.

Focus on the application of Ultraflex Componentry and Custom Bracing Systems for both orthopedic and neurological dysfunctions. The attendees will learn how to integrate the latest Ultraflex technology as an alternative to current treatments for spasticity. This includes our UltraSafeStep™ knee and ankle orthoses for advanced gait assistance, the HOPe1 orthosis for hip abduction, our Ilizarov compatible componentry, and our full line of braces to treat both pediatric and adult conditions.

The fundamentals of Helmet Treatment will be presented along with infant skull anatomy, principles of helmet design and casting techniques. Vacuum Formed and Molded Standard Infant Sized Helmets will be discussed and the options these choices allow to accommodate time, cost and reimbursement constraints.

Genux® OA workshop

In this workshop the new innovative Genux® OA knee brace will be presented. Design characteristics and biomechanical background of this OA brace will be discussed.
Clinical experience with this new orthosis shows the effective way in which this brace is able to redress valgus or varus instable knees.
The necessary steps in the intake process will be shown, as well as the procedure during the fitting process. The Genux® OA can be adjusted both in the sagittal plane and in the coronal plane. The practical effect of these adjustments will be discussed. The workshop will end with discussing clinical cases with this new innovative knee brace.

Presenter: N.G.A. Van Leerdam, MSc, PhD

The success of your O&P practice depends on your ability to implement effective and efficient processes, manage workflow smoothly and maintain accountability. OPIE Software was designed by practicing O&P clinicians and business owners for this purpose. OPIE helps practitioners, technicians, clerical and administrative staff work together seamlessly by providing an integrated workflow management system tailored specifically for the needs of an O&P practice. This workshop is designed for practitioners and administrative personnel who want to experience efficiency and accountability in every aspect of practice management, clinical record keeping, ordering, fabrication, billing, and collections.

Horton's Stance - Control Knee™ Joint [SCOKJ®] automatically engages and disengages a lock against flexion, offering the patient both stance phase security and swing phase toe clearance. Preliminary gait studies have demonstrated a substantial reduction in the energy cost of ambulation compared to a locked-knee gait.

This special two-part workshop will be taught by John W. Michael, MEd, CPO, FAAOP, FISPO and will include a detailed review of the sagittal plane mechanics of normal and pathologic gait. Practical instruction on selection, fabrication, adjustment, fitting, and troubleshooting the SCOKJ® will be presented in a multimedia format.

The morning session runs from 8:30am – 12:30pm; the afternoon session is from 1:30-5:30pm. ABC Certified or State Licensed practitioners who attend BOTH the morning and afternoon segments of this Qualifying Course and successfully complete the written examination will be qualified to order the SCOKJ®. Technicians and other interested individuals are also welcome to attend but will not become qualified.

Features of the Utah Arm 3 will be taught – this will be an excellent update to anyone previously Utah Arm trained, but without experience with the Simultaneous Control features of the Utah Arm 3.

The User Interface software which operates both the ProControl 2 for Hand/Wrist control, and the ProHand, installed inside the MC Hand and Electric Terminal Device (ETD) – all have user-friendly adjustments and easy connections.

The new Hybrid Utah Arm will also be presented – Gravity Compensation provides elbow flexion in this body-powered elbow, with electric TD/Wrist control, and electric lock control by myoelectric or switch input.

Review the latest procedures used in hip and spine surgery and see how a modular system can be used to enhance clinical outcomes for these patients. New minimally invasive hip and spinal procedures are transforming the protocols for orthotic management. These new techniques have created a demand for multiple orthotic options to supplement the orthopedic procedure. Orthomerica's California Hip and Plug and Play Spinal System are recent products designed to allow orthotists and their referral sources the ability to design an orthosis that will perfectly mesh with the surgical procedure, and provide precise control.

Bionic Technology describes the application of biological principles to engineering systems. In O&P it relates to the combined use of electronic and mechanical components, defined as intelligent structures, intended to enhance or replace anatomical structures or physiological processes. There are many variables that can be described as bionic. When they are combined, they create what most perceive as complete restoration of an amputated limb. Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Proprioception, Movement/Control Strategy are a few atributes that are incorporated in Össur's Bionic products for the lower limb amputee.

Discuss the topics of knee componentry with biomechanics and how they work together to optimize patient alignment and performance. Address frontal and sagittal plane biomechanics with additional qualitative analysis to aid in the evaluation and selection of knees for individual patient needs. Various alignment practices and their component aids will also be discussed with respect to clinical biomechanic assessment practices. An introduction to knee componentry design with regard to material science, fluid control systems, kinematics, and strength of materials will be given.

Although off-the-shelf gel liners have provided a high level of comfort for countless amputees, there are numerous instances in which an off-the-shelf liner is not a clinician's best choice. Amputees with severe scar tissue, deep invaginations, very bony limbs, or extremely short limbs often require a custom product to provide adequate comfort. Ohio Willow Wood now offers a process through which practitioners can specify the exact thickness and distribution of the gel in order to provide a custom-designed Alpha® Liner, called a DESIGN™ Liner, for these hard-to-fit cases. This workshop will provide a detailed review of each step that is required to produce a DESIGN Liner: capturing the limb shape, designing the gel pattern, making the required selections (fabric, color, size, etc.), and placing the order.

Review the effects of suspension on the residual limb and tissue of amputees. Prosthetists have come to adopt liners with pins and locking devices as their mainstay suspension method for trans-tibial amputees. While this provided them with major improvements over previous suspension methods available not all amputees have the proper tissue and limb configuration to be fitted with locking suspension.

SPS presents a workshop on the clinical findings of a double blind placebo controlled clinical evaluation conducted in Germany on Phantom Pain Sensations and the impact of the RELAX liner & Night RELAX in its mitigation. The testing was performed under the guidance and administration of Dr. Kern at the Palatives Schmerzzentrum Wiesbaden in Germany and was sponsored by medi Bayreuth. Protocols, methodology and patient criteria/assessment will be presented in the session. The workshop will also address design aspects and properties of these unique products which allow them to mitigate pain sensations.

Address the basic elements involved with orthotic intervention in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and an option in the clinical treatment of juvenile, congenital and neuromuscular scoliosis. The practitioner will become knowledgeable in the treatment standards and goals associated with the Providence Scoliosis System to cease the progression of scoliotic curves. The practitioner will be trained in radiographic evaluation of scoliosis orthotic design and measuring for this nocturnal system.

Discuss theory, application, and protocols of the B-E-T Frame, Mackie Elbow & Knee Contracture Braces. Total hip revisions are susceptible to dislocation, but post-op braces can reduce the incidence of dislocation.

Live patient demonstrations with interactive patient gait assessment. In-depth study of properties of 3 carbon composite AFO’s and how the properties affect functional performance. Learn how to customize carbon composite AFOs to met specific patient needs. Hear end-user input to compare acceptance and performance of various carbon composite AFO designs. Walk through step-by-step fabrication of dynamic response AFO for TMA. Course includes hands-on practice for a simple method for objective documentation of outcome results of lower extremity orthotic intervention. Leave with marketing tools, historical documentation, and template of program to use advances in technology to enhance your working relationship and increase your referrals from P.T. and physician.

The patient with challenging foot deformities may often be fit with off-the-shelf footwear when modifications are properly introduced. The simple, yet forgotten, modifications are re-introduced to the practitioners to allow customizing and 1 day delivery of footwear.