Paul Chryst and Kurt Towson are at the 2012 Pac Rim Meeting in Honolulu. Where are you? The USISPO Pacific Forum for Rehabilitation is going on right now! The exhibit hall overlooks the pool, and the attendees are in floral prints and shorts - not a jacket and tie to be seen. This is orthotic and prosthetic continuing education at its finest.
Dean Barrett, CPO and manager of a Hanger facility in Grass Valley, CA doanted his time, expertise, and ingenituity to help Carmen, the little lamb pictured above. This new patient will be with Barrett for years to come. Though the prosthesis is designed to accommodate for growth, like humans, she will need multiple legs until she reaches adulthood.
Carmen broke her leg only days after being born. The leg didn't heal and eventually became infected. She hobbled around for weeks until being taken to UC Davis where she received two surgeries and rehabilitation. The leg could not be saved and that is when Barrett offered his assitance.
Carmen is now residing at Animal Place, a sanctuary for farm animals located in northern California. Great job Dean and everyone at UC Davis and Animal Place! The world needs more people like you in it.
It's not too late! The Pac Rim orthotic and prosthetic conference will be in the HIlton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu from January 22nd to January 25th. Hawaii is a great place to expand your network of professional contacts and learn about the latest advances in orthotics, prosthetics, physical medicine, and physical therapy. Heritage Medical Equipment will be there. Will you?
Can orthopedic devices be used to treat elbow contractures? You bet.
An elbow contracture brace can restore flexion and lost range of motion with a continuous passive stretch. Adjustable dials lock the arm in a desired position that applies a mild stretch to the elbow joint. These elbow braces are comfortable and effective.
This brace is approved for L-3760.
Heritage Medical Equipment wishes you a healthy, happy ,and prosperous new year.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Can a carpal tunnel splint or capral tunnel brace help?
Carpal tunnel is also called Median Nerve Dysfunction or Median Nerve Entrapment. It happens when pressure is applied to the median nerve. The median nerve provides sensation and movement to the parts of the hand, wrist, and fingers.
Common symptons are:
Though medications, surgeries, and injections can be used to treat carpal tunnel one of the best options is to wear a wrist splint or wrist brace while you sleep. Medications and injections present with side effects, wrist braces do not.
A wrist splint will position your wrist in a manner that will relieve pressure on the Median Nerve. It may take several weeks to achieve complete pain relief but wrist braces are a safe, proven, and inexpensive solution. Ask your dotor if a wrist splint is the right treatment option for you.
Shin pain is often referred to as shin splints. The medical term is Tibial Stress Syndrome. To understand shin pain you must first understand what is causing it.
Shin splints are common injuries for athletes, especially runners. Flat feet, overuse, and stress fractures are the usual culprits. So to say you have shin splints is not enough, you must learn what is causing the shin pain.
Treatment options will vary but not by much.
It will take time for your shin splints to heal, 3 to 6 months is not uncommon. Be sure to see your doctor and don't rush back to activity before your leg has healed. Pain is your body's way of explaining to you that somethig is wrong. Pushing your injury before it gets better can lead to permanent problems.
Vinny Palmieri and Glenn Easton
Vinny Palmieri and Glenn Easton recently participated in Heritage Medical Equipment's countinuing education course on pre-fabricated back braces. They work at Noveau Prosthetics, a full service orthotic and prosthetic facility located in Brooklyn, NY.
We discussed which back braces are appropriate for lower back pain, mechanical back pain, herniated dics, osteoporosis, and compression fractures. We also discussed the Reasonable Useful Life (RUL) requirements imposed by Medicare and Medicaid, L-Codes, PDAC Letters, and pricing.
The ABC and BOC have approved this cme presentation for 1.5 ceus.
