1pm today Heritage Medical Equipment will be presenting the course "Orthotic Use in Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction" at the NYSAAOP in Albany.
We will discuss several studies relating to orthotic use to treat PTTD, we will compare a few different treatment modalities, and also cast up to four practitioners for custom Townsend Design Premier Ankle Braces.
Audiences have laughed, they've cried, - they say the presentation is better than Cats.
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.
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?
Bethany Gaffney, ATC & Caitlin Ludemann, ATC
This week we are writing live from the New England Orthotic & Prosthetic Society annual meeting in Warwick, RI. Here we find new-comers to the O&P field who present with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Caitlin Ludemann and Bethany Gaffney are athletic trainers who work with Ferraro & Forbes.
They were hired to help represent Townsend Design's line of functional and unloader knee braces.
"We have been representing Townsend in New England for 21 years," explained Sally Forbes, owner of Ferraro & Forbes. "Patients with knee osteoarthritis deserve a conservative solution for their joint pain. Not everyone needs medications, injections, or surgery. Bethany and Caitlin are doing a fantastic job getting our message to the people who need to hear it."
"We talk to doctors regularly to explain the benefits of bracing the arthritic knee." Forbes said. "But it's difficult to be heard with the glut of information the drug companies flood the market with."
Sally added, "We love to work with our O&P partners to generate awareness at local physician practices and clinics. We are not the competition, the drug companies are."
It doesn't take long standing on the trade show floor for low back pain to develop. At least for me. On the second day of the meeting my back was killing me. I'm glad these guys were in Las Vegas. Michael Montalbano and Scott O'Donnel of Hope Orthopedic helped me out big time. They let me wear a Ninja back brace for the last two days of the show. Back pain relief. I stood taller, looked a little thinner, and felt much better. Thanks guys!
Dave Littig, CPO explained how to make a cast at last week's AOPA meeting. Littig works with ST&G, a manufacturer of casting tape, orthopedic products, and prosthetic supplies. His lecture explained the benefits of C-Form, an elastic stretch cast tape.
Members from the audience participated during the presentation by volunteering to be casted.
"This cast material conforms easily to complex shapes which is important in orthotics and prosthetics," Littig explained. "This is like no other casting material; it's inexpensive and versatile."
Drew Moore, Justin Moore, Tom Trefilek, Mitch Petersen, Frederic Desmoulins
Townsend Design was at AOPA with a large portion of its sale's force. And for good reason. A redesigned custom ankle brace, new post op knee brace, new designs to their unloader knee brace line, and new products from Thuasne gave everyone a lot to talk about.
Booth traffic was constant and steady as practitioners from all over the country caught up with their sale's representatives and discussed the latest innovations in orthotics.
Townsend braces are demanded at orthopedic clinics and orthotic and prosthetic facilities throught the United States.
The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) recently concluded its annual meeting in Las Vegas. It was the best attended conference in recent history with over 2200 O&P professionals! The Exhibit Hall was filled with everyone's favorite O&P celebrities.
Chuck Hughes from Cybertech is pictured above. When not courting showgirls he did spend some time talking to orthotists and brace fitters about back braces, lumbar supports, TLSOs, and cervical collars.
"Las Vegas is a great venue to see our clients, friends, and customers from all over the country," Hughes said. "It's also a great place to learn about all the innovations in orthotics & prosthetics."
Look at all the smiling faces! And only one person fell asleep. Free Hely & Weber brace to anyone who can identify the guy who nodded off. This picture was taken during Heritage Medical Equipment's presentation on Pre Fabricated lumbar supports this morning. It was a packed house at the New York State Chapter's annual meeting. Though the room was hot and the subject dry everyone seemed to appreciate the information.
Finishing the presentation five minutes early before lunch went over well. Never go long when people are hungry.
All the cool people are in Albany. Where are you?
This week we'll be at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists 35th Annual Meeting at the Hilton Atlanta, Atlanta, GA.
"Known for its high-quality content, the Academy's Annual Meeting is four days of focused education sessions, networking opportunities, and an across-the-table exchange on the latest in O&P services. Experience exceptional O&P education and the latest in O&P products and technology—this meeting is going to “wow” you!
Visit the Academy's website for more information or to inquire about exhibiting at the show."
