Evidence Based Medicine is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. Currently there is a desire within our profession to direct efforts and place additional value on research-based evidence and to place less value on intuition and experience.

By using the orthotic management of stroke patients as an example, this experienced panel of international presenters will review available evidence and debate the quality and usefulness of evidence based research in O&P.

In today’s world, the selection of and reimbursement for prosthetic components is dictated by the amputee’s functional level. Considering a number of factors, potential functional ability is based on the realistic expectations of the prosthetist and treating physician. These include the amputee’s past history, medical condition, residual limb characteristics and motivation to ambulate. Learn the definition of the K3 functional level and learn to differentiate it from the other levels. Discuss the methods used to determine which amputees should be classified as K3 amputees.

One of the Academy’s grant projects is designed to foster evidence based practice by conducting an ongoing series of State-of-the-Science Conferences (SSCs). For 2006, an SSC on Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses for Ambulation was conducted with support from a grant by the U.S. Department of Education (H235RO500001). This presentation reviews the key findings and recommendations from this multidisciplinary meeting of international experts.