The American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists
38th Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium 2012
March 21-24, 2012 • Atlanta, GA
Experience Exceptional O&P Education

Gain knowledge and skills in selecting and implementing the clinical measures to quantify function and performance of persons who wear orthoses and prostheses. Basic measures that can be incorporated into your everyday clinical evaluation will be demonstrated. At a time when documentation of progress is essential for continued reimbursement, these are the tools you will need in order to easily and effectively capture this progress. Participants will observe demonstrations utilizing a spectrum of clinical measurement approaches (simple to sophisticated) that can be applied to document outcomes of clinical practice. Learn the value of clinical measures, proper clinical and laboratory methods, and interpretation of the information. Emphasis will be on the clinicians' understanding and application of these principles of patient assessment and treatment and ensuring they take home practical applied techniques to implement in their clinical practice environment. *This seminar will be conducted at Georgia Tech. There is an additional charge of $25 to cover the round-trip transportation that is provided from the hotel to the campus. Pre-registration required by March 2.

Join leaders in the field of prosthetics and physical therapy to discuss several complex cases of patients with lower limb amputations. Two prosthetist/ physical therapist teams, who work together frequently, will present cases and engage in some "what if" discussions with expert colleagues.

• Discuss the latest evidence to support optimal short- and long-term management.
• Consider how the experts adapt when complications, additional health issues, or lifestyle issues confound or "twist" the optimal approach.
• Discuss prosthetic and physical therapy management of patients who present with complex cases involving lower limb amputations.
• Recognize the benefits of collaboration and a team approach to optimize patient care.
• Apply current research to the management of patients with lower limb amputations.
• Consider alternative strategies to the management of prostheses and rehabilitation of patients with lower limb amputations, including the need for multiple prostheses and the consideration of employment and lifestyle preferences.

There is mounting evidence that the effective use of properly-designed orthoses in the treatment of AIS can influence the natural history of curve progression in those considered to be at risk. There is also evidence, however, that a patient's willingness or ability to tolerate this treatment regimen is cause for concern. The intent of this symposium is to compare and contrast what may be considered a more conventional approach to orthotic design to alternative thermoplastic designs, such as those made possible through the use of CAD/CAM technology.

The area of upper limb prosthetic rehabilitation has seen a surge of activity and research in recent years. Multi-articulating hand systems, once thought impossible, have emerged from the research lab into the everyday lives of our patients. With a desire for even higher functionality, surgeons around the world have been working on transplantation techniques for the upper limb amputee. This symposium will explore the practical realities and applications of hand transplantation and multi-articulated hands.

This interactive session will begin with an overview of outcome measures— what they mean and how to find them. Participants will rotate through three stations. At each station they will review and participate in completing measures as they would be conducted in the clinical setting. The session will close with an overall review and practical ways to utilize the information, along with Q&A.

Skin problems are one of the most common complaints facing orthotic and prosthetic users today. Nearly 75 percent of these patients encounter a dermatological issue due to the artificial interface contacting skin. This session will provide an overview of the most common skin problems in this population as well as specific mechanisms and related research. Skin care and treatment options to assist and prepare clinicians in the identification and management of skin problems will be discussed.

The Orthotic and Prosthetic Education and Research Foundation (OPERF) Showcase highlights research conducted with support from OPERF. Investigators, students, and residents will give an overview of their OPERF-sponsored research. The featured presenters:
Small Grant Award Recipient:
Effects of the Össur AFO Dynamic and a Custom Fabricated Polymer AFO on the Gait of Acute Hemiplegic CVA Subjects
Jason Wening, MS, CPO
Fellowship Award Recipients:
Transfemoral Amputee Gait as it Relates to Prosthetic Alignment
Sara Koehler
Effects of Ankle-Foot Orthosis on Foot Placement Post-Stroke: Balance Implications
Kiki Zissimopoulos
Resident Travel Award Recipients
Using Gait Analysis to Compare the Biomechanical Effects of AFOs Designed with a Solid Ankle versus AFOs Designed with a Compression Heel
Brock Sande, CPO
Transtibial Amputee's Ability and Knowledge of Socket Management and the Relationship to the Educational Needs of Amputees
John Frederick, CPO/LPO, BEP

Discuss with the Academy executive director and the chair of the Academy Professional Issues Council (PIC) the current political climate as it relates to healthcare and the potential impact on the O&P profession.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) provides a common framework for defining and describing disability and health. Viewing disability as an interaction between health condition and environmental factors is the key to measuring disability and evaluating interventions to reduce it. This session describes how the ICF can enhance communication between health professionals involved in O&P care; assist in the identification and standardization of appropriate outcome measures; and provide a conceptual framework for education programs in O&P.

Gain a foundation of knowledge to understand and evaluate current treatment protocols, both published and practiced. Review fabrication techniques and materials that have been used historically and new techniques and materials currently used in facilities around the country.

Barriers that made it extremely difficult for clinicians to earn advanced academic degrees are eroding. Our growing cadre of CPO/PhDs will accelerate development of O&P science, translation of research into improved patient care, and advancement of our profession. Experiences of some of today's clinicianresearchers will be highlighted in this session.

Attendees will receive an overview of the dynamics of aging with an underlying neuromuscular disability and obtain an understanding of treatment for pediatric versus adult populations. Case presentations will illustrate adult orthotic management aimed at improving or maintaining function. Multi-disciplinary presenters will provide their insights and experiences for care across the lifespan.

The Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-M) is a new tool developed to measure the mobility of persons with lower limb absences who are current users of lower limb prostheses. Developed at the University of Washington through a grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), PLUS-M allows clinicians and researchers to quickly and accurately measure mobility, an important aspect of prosthetics users' health. In this session, we will present the PLUS-M, summarize findings from a large study of 1,000 prosthetic users, and describe health-status profiles of prosthesis users compared to national norms.

Models of rehabilitation care post-stroke include comprehensive integrated acute stroke/rehabilitation units; distinctly separate acute stroke and stroke rehabilitation units in the same institution; acute stroke care in one hospital and stroke rehabilitation in another institution; acute care in one hospital and stroke rehabilitation in a general rehabilitation unit offsite; day hospital rehabilitation; and home-based care. Each of these has different advantages and disadvantages depending on the level of activity and participation restriction. Within these models, there are also variances in therapy and activity levels of the patients and many variables which may affect outcome.

Discuss a variety of current evidencebased topics, designs, and clinician problem-solving methods related to the use of the AFO.