By Dominic Musgrave

A TEAM of researchers in Portsmouthhave found that walking up and downstairs puts the most strain on artificialhips compared with other routineactivities such as walking.

They also found that body weight is an important factor in determiningthe survival of cemented hipreplacements.

The findings could lead toimprovements in the cemented hipreplacements so that they last longer,and to new advice given to patients onhow to reduce the strain on their newjoint by lifestyle changes.

The team at the University ofPortsmouth, led by professor Jie Tongin the department of mechanical anddesign engineering, and Gavin Hussell,consultant surgeon at QueenAlexandra hospital in Cosham, werefunded over two years by the ArthritisResearch Campaign to find out whythe artificial sockets used in cementedhip replacement operations cameloose, leading to the need for the jointto be revised, that is replaced for a

second time.

“Our results are useful for orthopaedicsurgeons and bone cementmanufacturers, as both can now focuson improving the bonding betweenbone and cement, through improvingsurgical techniques and developingnew formula for bone cements,” saidJie.

“Overall improvements in cementedfixation will drive the revision ratedown, which will benefit both thepatients and the health service.”

The team used a specially designed hipsimulator to test the cementedimplants under realistic loadingconditions such as going up and downstairs, walking and a series of routineactivities.

They also used CT scanning and testedthe outcomes on computer models inorder to validate their findings.

The team discovered that in hip jointreplacements that come loose, there is a mechanical failure at thepoint where the bone and the cementconnect, known as the bone-cementinterface.

Stairclimbingputs moststrain on hips

Jason Bradbury from Channel Five’s Gadget Show presented the creators of aprosthetic limb which fuses directly with a person’s own skin and bone with atop award. The ITAP (Intraosseous Transcutaneous Amputation Prosthesis), aBritish creation developed by the University College London and medicaldevices company Stanmore Implants, was named knowledge transferchampion at the inaugural London Knowledge Transfer Awards.

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THREE friends who met at schoolin Brighton have set up a newonline facility for physiotherapists.

The site at www.pacpacs.comenables physios to createpersonalised exercise routines,keep track of a patient’s history,produce exercise handouts andcompose a set of exercises withvideo instructions from a variety ofangles for clients.

It was set up by sports therapistPaul McKeown, who came upwith the idea after noticing therewas nothing similar available onthe market.

“I noticed that there was nothinglike this available on the web andnothing that gave videoexplanations,” he said. “I kept itto myself at first and then wetrialled it and received somepositive feedback so went with it.

“I started to think who I knewwho could help me take thisforward and remembered webdesigner Chris (Farmiloe) fromschool. We sat in a pub andchatted about who else we knewthat could help us to pull this offand turn it into a business andcame up with a videographer that

we also knew called Jon Tully.”

The company launched at therecent CSP Congress inManchester, and Paul says he hasbig plans for the company in thefuture.

“The great thing about thewebsite is that we can just keepadding to it so it will never befinished,” he added. “We aregoing to put falls exercises ontheir next, and after that is physiosthink of something they wouldlike to go on there if they get incontact we will add it. The onlything stopping us is time.”

Friends set up onlinefacility for physios

Firm lends a handA NORTH EAST taxi firm issearching for the owner of anabandoned false arm.The prosthetic limb wasdiscovered by a taxi driver whenhe checked the back of his cabafter a late-night shift. Thecompany, which operates fromNewcastle Central Station, said ithad not been able to identify theowner, and appealed forinformation.Contracts manager Jimmy Blakesaid: “We found all manner orthings in the back of our cabsover the years. We've even hadpeople leave their children in theback seat but this one wascompletely new to us.”

Health minister opens £1.5m centreA TOP Government minister paid aflying visit to York to officially open a£1.5 million occupational health andwellbeing centre.

NHS staff at York Hospital, togetherwith more than 14,000 workers from113 local businesses, are alreadybenefiting from the state-of-the-artfacilities, which have been up andrunning since September.

Secretary of state for health AlanJohnson unveiled a plaque at thecentre in Centurion Park, beforebeing taken on a tour of the site.

“The benefits of promoting goodhealth at work – to both employeesand employers – are wellrecognised,” said Andrew Gilbey,assistant director of occupationalhealth for York Hospitals NHSFoundation Trust. “By offering a one-stop shop of health and wellbeingsupport for smaller businesses andother employers, our centre can helpboth staff and employers.”

The centre was funded thanks to a£1.3million grant from the

Department of Health and another£190,000 from York Hospitals NHSFoundation Trust.

As well as occupational healthservices, it offers a range of services,including physiotherapy, chiropractic,podiatry and complementarytherapies such as aromatherapy andreflexology.

It has been designated as an

innovation site by NHS Plus – aDepartment of Health-funded projectaimed at increasing the provision andquality of health and wellbeingservices to smaller businesses.

York Hospital was one of only fivehospital trusts in the country to beawarded the Government grant –and the only one north ofCambridge.

Businessdevelopmentmanager FrancisRiley (right)demonstrates thespirometry testingequipment whichmeasures lungcapacity for smallbusiness client JoClark from KerrySweet Ingredientsand healthsecretary AlanJohnson.

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By Dominic Musgrave

AN occupational therapist fromBath is pioneering a new treatmentfor people with agonising pain.

Jenny Lewis believes she canrevolutionise treatment of acondition that leaves patients in somuch pain they would rather cutoff their arm or leg than endurethe constant agony.

One in every 4,000 people in theUK suffers from Complex RegionalPain Syndrome (CRPS), which canbe triggered after a small injuryand often leaves patients insignificant physical torment.

Jenny, who is based at the RoyalNational Hospital for RheumaticDiseases (RNHD), has secured afellowship at the McGill Universityin Canada, using brain imaging toinvestigate the phenomenonknown as body perceptiondisturbance.

She came up with the idea for thestudy after noticing how patientsbehave in an unusual way towardstheir painful limb.

"While treating patients with CRPSI noticed that rather than protect

and look after their painful limb asyou might expect, patients oftenignored it," she added.

“They had a distorted perceptionof their limb and when asked toclose their eyes and describe it,they would leave out wholeanatomical sections.

“They would express feelings ofloathing towards it, often behavingas if it was not part of their body.

Some even had a desperate desireto amputate it.”

Jenny plans to use magneticresonance imaging to explorepossible changes in the region ofthe brain responsible for touchsensation.

She hopes to use this as evidenceof changes in the way that thebrain represents the limb wherechronic pain is felt, and will

compare this brain activity to howpatients describe their bodyperception disturbance to establishwhether there is a relationshipbetween the two.

“A better understanding of thisrelationship will inform treatmentand contribute to improvingrehabilitation outcomes forpatients with CRPS and otherchronic pain conditions," sheadded.

Jenny bids to ease the pain

Jenny Lewis Picture: The Western Daily Press

Generations to unite to exerciseBRIGHTON University students are toteam up with older people inEastbourne to help them exerciseand be creative.

The project, launched in January, willinclude students of physiotherapy,occupational health and podiatry andis aimed at bringing the generationstogether.

“I think the benefits of inter-generational activities have beenshown over a number of projectsthat we have done,” said projectmanager, professor Ann Moore.

“The benefits are so strong in termsof what the older people will learnfrom the students but also what thestudents learn from older people,not just skills but how to dealappropriately with older people andunderstand their values.”

Older people who join will be giventhe opportunity to take part in tai chior croquet classes and physiotherapyundergraduates will work with themon fitness plans tailored to theexercise they would like to, and feelthey can manage.

Occupational therapy students willhelp them be creative and share skillslike pottery and cooking, while thosestudying podiatry will teach themhow to look after their feet.

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson is asupporter of the university'sWellbeing, Health and Occupationfor Older People group project.

He said: “I was fascinated to hearabout all the initiatives designed toimprove wellbeing amongst olderpeople. This ties in very well with myown role as shadow minister forolder people.”

New service centre opensMOUNTWAY has opened a newservice centre in America to offertechnical support and customerservice for its customers.They will now have quickerresponses as they are not reliant ontime differences between Americaand the UK, minimising delays.The centre was opened as a jointventure with RoMedic – part of theHandicare Group.International sales and marketing

manager Novia Imm said: “Theopening of a new service centre inNorth America is another featMountway has achieved toconsolidate its position as a globalmanufacturer and distributor. We atMountway are proud of wherewe’ve come from and where we aregoing. Mountway has certainlycome a long way from its humblebeginnings and is respected incountries across the world.”

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Breakthrough withamputees in researchSCIENTISTS at the Karolinska Instituteand Lund University in Sweden havesuccessfully induced people with anamputated arm to experience aprosthetic rubber hand.

It is believed the results could lead tothe development of a new type oftouch-sensitive prosthetic hand.

The illusion of having a rubber handwas achieved by the scientists bytouching the stump of theamputated arm out of sight of thesubject while simultaneouslytouching the rubber hand in fullview of the same subject.

This created the illusion that thesensory input was coming from theprosthetic hand rather than from thestump, and that the hand belongedto the subject’s own body.

“We’ll now be looking into thepossibilities of developing aprosthetic hand that can registertouch and stimulate the stump towhich it’s attached,” said HenrikEhrsson, one of the researchersinvolved in the study. “If this makesit possible to make a prostheticsensitive by cheating the brain, it can

prove an important step towardsbetter and more practical prosthetichands than those available today.”

The effect was confirmed by thesubjects’ own descriptions of theexperience and by their tendency topoint to the hand when asked tolocalise the point of stimulation.

That they experienced the rubberhand as their own was alsosubstantiated physiologically in thatthey started to sweat when the handwas pricked with a needle. Theresearchers believe the study, whichwas carried out at the Red Crosshospital in Stockholm, opens up newopportunities for developingprosthetic hands that can beexperienced by wearers as belongingto their own bodies.

It was carried out at the Red Crosshospital in Stockholm, is part of theEU’s SmartHand project, which isadministered from Lund University.

The objective of the project is todevelop a new type of thought-controlled prosthetic hand withadvanced motor and sensorycapabilities. Henrik Ehrsson

Knee bracessupportcharity skierDJO UK provided the knee braces fora 53-year-old man who skied morethan 480 kilometres for two cancercharities.After a diagnosis of the pre-leukaemic bone marrow conditionMyelodysplasia, Mike Evans wasforced to retire from his teaching joband his many involvements inoutdoor education. After he had beaten the illness andinfections which left him more tiredand able to achieve less as he triedto stay fit, he set himself thechallenge of raising £5,000 forCancer Research and St Catherine’sHospice.“For me a big problem is the state ofmy knees,” said Mike. “DonJoybraces have, for years, come with meon every trip, giving that extra bit ofstability after years of abuseclimbing, playing sport and skiing. Asmy knees have different problems, Ineed a different brace for each.When I went for my fitting, theycouldn’t believe how old my braceswere – they were completely wornout and technically very dated.”He was accompanied on the trip byhis nephew, a ski instructor.

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By Dominic Musgrave

A GERMAN farmer has become thefirst person in the world to have asuccessful double arm transplant.

Karl Merk, who lost his own armsin a corn shredder accident sixyears ago, underwent a 15-houroperation at the teaching hospitalof the Technical University in thesouthern German city of Munich inJuly which required the skills of 40staff, including surgeons, nursesand anesthesiologists.

“It was really overwhelming when Isaw that I had arms again,” hesaid: It's just fantastic. These aremy arms, and I'm not giving themaway again.

“At first it was very hard but I livedwithout arms for six years, andnow nothing can get me down.”

The 54-year-old, who must wear aspecial corset to support the limbs

while they heal, has already learnedto open a door and use a lightswitch. And he said that he waslooking forward to feeding anddressing himself and getting backon his motorbike.

But doctors have warned that thereis still a risk that Karl’s immunesystem would react badly to the

new arms, although so far therehad been no sign of them beingrejected.

“All in all, our wildest expectationshave pretty much been fulfilled,”said Christoph Hoehnke, one ofthe lead doctors helping himthrough his intensive in-patientprogramme of physiotherapy andcounselling. which is expected tolast another four to six weeks.

The medical team said hand andlower arm transplants were stillrare and that the operation, by

attaching an elbow joint as well asan upper arm, posed a greaterchallenge for the immune andcirculatory systems.

“Never before was such a largeamount of foreign tissuetransplanted to a person,”Christoph added.

While there are signs that nervesare already regrowing, it could stilltake up to two years before herelearns how to use his hands.

He also has years of physiotherapyahead of him.

Karl Merk with Christoph Hoehnke

Arm transplantworld first forGerman farmer

Karl Merk

A new device that offers a moreeffective method of splinting forwrist fractures has been awarded agrant from the Audi DesignFoundation.The grant of £19,840 will allowLoughborough University lecturerGeorge Torrens and consultantorthopaedic surgeon John Dooleyfrom Hillingdon Hospital to produce aprototype of the device, known asFit-Splint, and enable an initial seriesof clinical trials to begin.George said: “We are very happy thatthe Foundation has given us thisopportunity to move our idea throughthis next critical stage and prove thetechnology for the new splint, andalso to gain further investment.”

Wii bid tohelp youngrehabilitateTWO Lancashire hospitals haveintroduced Nintendo Wii Fitcomputer consoles into theirphysiotherapy departments to aidthe rehabilitation of young patients.

The idea was the brainchild of a 12-year-old patient and staff atLancashire Teaching Hospitals NHSFoundation Trust, which run Chorleyand South Ribble Hospital and RoyalPreston Hospital.

“We provide a paediatric andadolescent physiotherapy service,”said head of physiotherapy for theLancashire Teaching Hospitals NHSFoundation Trust Lesley Waters.“One of our patients suggested itwould be a good idea and new andfun way to get youngsters toundertake physiotherapy.

“Wii Fit is a great way of usingcomputer games to stimulate interestwhile performing exercises which canbe uncomfortable.”

The consoles were purchased withfunds from the Incubator Appealwhich uses donated loose change,old money and foreign currency forgood causes at the Trust.

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EVAN Reynolds’ dreams of joiningthe Army were devastated whenhis arm was ripped off in anaccident.

The sports biology student atUniversity of the West of England(UWE) was in a friend’s carhanging his hand out of thewindow when it was taken off bya wooden gate post.

His life was only saved by hisquick-thinking friends who applieda tourniquet made from T-shirtsand waterproofs and stopped himbleeding to death.

“My hand was amputated inseconds, it was very nasty,” headded. “The ambulance man whocame to the scene told me thattheir quick-thinking had saved mylife. I owe them everything.

“When I was sat in hospital I waspretty devastated because I hadalways dreamed of joining theArmy and going to Sandhurst, butthere was obviously no chance ofthat.”

Evan's elder brother Richardrecalled seeing a report on the i-LIMB and contacted Scottish

manufacturer Touch Bionics on hisbehalf.

The hand is not surgicallyattached. He just has to imagineopening and shutting his hand ormoving his fingers or thumb andthe limb responds.

Unlike previous prosthetics, thehand, which costs £10,000, cantell how tightly it is gripping,allowing the user a large degree ofcontrol. It is operated by tinysensors resting against his armmuscles.

Evan says it took only minutes tolearn how to manipulate the limb.

“Within a few minutes of it beingfitted it was working,” he added.“It's the hundreds of things youtake for granted,which I can doagain – like peeling a potato,catching a ball, holding a bottle ofwater and opening a door.”

The injury has also not stoppedhim playing rugby, and he says ittook hours of practice to perfect aone-armed pass out of the back ofthe hand.

He said: “I love sport and there isno way it was going to stop me

play rugby for my team backhome. I always take the arm off toplay though because it costs somuch. I also play other sports,including golf, squash and tabletennis.”

Evan’s story has appeared on arecent television series on ChannelFive called Extraordinary People.

He is one of approximately 450worldwide to have had the limbfitted.

“Evan is another great example ofan i-LIMB hand user who is aninspiration to us all,” said TouchBionics CEO Stuart Mead. “Ourtechnology is setting newstandards in prosthetic design, butfrankly it's the patients themselvesthat are the truly extraordinarystories.”

Touch Bionics were runner-up inthe Prosthetics category at theBHTA excellence awards sponsoredby Assistive Technologies magazine

A teenager wholost his left handin an accidentthree years agohas becomethe secondBriton to befitted with ani-LIMB. DominicMusgrave foundout more.

Evan ‘an inspiration to us all’

Evan has appeared on a Channel Five series called Extraordinary People

Initiative halves in-patient time after replacementsBy Nicola Hyde

THE amount of time patients whohave undergone a hip or kneereplacement spend in a hospital hashalved at one hospital thanks to anew initiative.

The Joint Care Programme at WestSuffolk Hospital, which has beenphased in by the trust over the lastfour years, encourages patients who have had similar operations onthe same day to work closely witheach other and healthcareprofessionals to help them get backon their feet.

It has proved so successful that it hasreduced the average number of dayspatients spend in hospital from 12 to

six, helping to improve efficiency andcut waiting times.

The hospital was the first in the UK to encourage patients to “buy-in” to their rehabilitation by helping each other and workingalongside surgeons, nurses,occupational therapists andphysiotherapists.

It was introduced after WillemSchenk FRCS, one of the hospital’sconsultant orthopaedic surgeons,saw how successful it had been inHolland.

“The programme gives patients thechance to help each other by sharingtheir experiences and advising onhow to overcome problems,” he

said.

“The group rehabilitation sessionsalso give patients the chance to see other people’s successes,giving them a better idea of what to expect when they aretreated.

“Since it was introduced, theprogramme has matured to becomea great success and the feedback wehave had from patients has beenoverwhelming.

“As well as helping to educate them,the initiative has also helpedminimise the amount of time thesepatients are spending in hospital,which means we can treat evenmore people and help them get back

on their feet.

The programme uses eight specialreclining chairs, brought with fundsdonated by the Women’s RoyalVoluntary Service (WRVS), to allowpatients’ limbs to be supported atexactly the right height and angle.

The chairs have been set up in a bay which also acts as a dayroom, giving patients the chance todiscuss their problems and motivateeach other.

Patients are also given in depthknowledge about their operationand the best way to make a quickrecovery in the weeks leading up tosurgery.

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WHEN Dorian Cox suffered a strokein his hotel room the day after theband returned from a successfultour of America he thought hiscareer was over.

It left him paralysed down the rightside of his body, and led to theband announcing they would besplitting because of the uncertaintyover his illness.

But the 27-year-old is nowundergoing neurologicalphysiotherapy at PhysioFunctionnear his York home, includingtraining sessions with arevolutionary mechanical glovecalled a SaeboFlex.

Sarah Daniel, who runs the clinic,said Dorian’s case proves thatstrokes do not only affect theelderly.

“Strokes don’t discriminate onage,” she added. “We see a wholerange of people, from a girl ofabout 12 to people in their 80s or90s. There are certain aspects of aperson’s life which increase the riskof a stroke, such as smoking orobesity.

“There are also genetics whichmake some people more disposedto strokes earlier in life, but in a lotof cases it is just bad luck.”

The SaeboFlex positions the wristand fingers into extension inpreparation for functional activities.The user is able to grasp an objectby voluntarily flexing his or herfingers. The extension springsystem assists in re-opening thehand to release the object

“We specialise in treating any injury

or condition which has affectedsomebody’s ability to move becauseof damage to their nervous system,such as strokes, head and spinalcord injuries, multiple sclerosis andParkinson’s,” she added. “A lot ofpeople who suffer a stroke may beable to move their should andelbow, but because they cannot

grasp anything they give up.

“When Dorian first came to see mehe had the ambition is to playguitar again, but had very littlefunction in his arm or fingers. But,using the SaeboFlex as part of hisrehab programme, he is progressingvery well and I am sure he willachieve his goal.”

A guitarist with Indie rock band The Long Blondeshopes to play the guitar again with the help of abionic hand. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Helping hand for guitarist, 27, who suffered a stroke

‘Virtual cane’designedby graduateBy Dominic Musgrave

A BLIND graduate has designed a‘virtual cane’ to help people withvisual impairments build confidenceby navigating their way throughcomputer environments.

Having just graduated with a masterof research degree in computerscience from Nottingham TrentUniversity, Allan Ridley hascollaborated with software engineerSteven Battersby, to design theinterface. Using the control devicesfrom a Nintendo Wii for pointingand directing motion, users cantravel through recreations of realworld buildings while receivingauditory and vibratory feedback toassist them.

The project could enable otherpeople who are blind to practise inthe virtual world before they visitplaces on their own.

Allan is now developing aspects ofhis work while working towards aPhD with the university’s InteractiveSystems Research Group (ISRG),which specialises in using thepotential of video games, virtualenvironments and the internet to

address issues such as socialinclusion.

“There has long been a lack ofaccess to virtual reality for peoplewho are blind,” he said. “Throughthis system, I hope people can learnin a safe environment and improvetheir skills and self-assurance whentackling mobility training.

“Using Wii technology has manyadvantages as it is mainstream, easilyavailable and affordable.

“Also, the system can be modified –with both audio and vibratoryfeedback – for people with otherdisabilities to enhance their learningexperience.”

Allan’s research will aim to promotegreater accessibility withincomputing and raise more awarenessof how software should be designedto suit all needs from the outset.

He added: “Disabled people have ahuge untapped skills base to offerthe world of industry and commerce.By using information technology inmore creative ways, we can helpthem develop their skills and putthem to good use.”

Aspire chief executive Brian Carlin shows MP Kevin Brennan around the gym

A GOVERNMENT minister visited atraining centre for people with spinalinjuries.

Kevin Brennan MP was shown roundthe facilities at the Aspire Centre inStanmore, which is in the running tobe used by a visiting country duringthe 2012 Paralympics.

The centre, which is within thegrounds of the Royal NationalOrthopaedic Hospital, boasts a 25mwheelchair accessible swimmingpool, a gym suitable for disabled

people, and a large sports hall usedfor activities such as wheelchairfootball.

During his tour Kevin met some ofAspire’s service users, as well asdiscussing the needs of new spinallyinjured patients and how best toservice them.

Aspire is currently working with theTREAT Trust and looking at thepossibility of building a similar centre to that in Stanmore in SouthWales.

Government minister visitsspinal injury training centre

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THE lives of elderly patients with hipfractures are being put at risk byhospitals diverting resources to meetNHS waiting list targets, it has beenclaimed.

The British Orthopaedic Associationrecommends operating in 95 percent of cases within a maximum of48 hours of the patient being fit forsurgery.

But a poll of 124 of its surgeonssuggests a fifth of patients waitlonger than this, with more than halfsaying their hospital prioritisedelective surgery over emergencycases to meet targets.

The Department of Health saiddoctors should prioritise patients

based on clinical needs, but morethan 40 per cent of those surveyedbelieved trauma care was worsesince the 18 week target - from GPreferral to treatment - wasintroduced in 2004.

Clare Marx, president of the BOA,said the system is letting down theoldest and frailest patients in toomany hospitals.

"These patients come to hospital inextreme pain and distress, they oftenhave other long-term medicalconditions and may be confused orhave dementia,” she added. "Theyare a group who are complicated tomanage clinically and are not atpresent an NHS managementpriority."

Approximately 75,000 people in theUK suffer hip fractures each year,and this figure is set to double by2050 with the ageing population.

John Black, president of the RoyalCollege of Surgeons, said fracturesusually occur in elderly peoplefollowing falls and require urgenttreatment to reduce pain, restoremobility and prevent disability ordeath.

"It cannot be right for emergencypatients in great pain and in need ofswift treatment to have to wait,” headded. "The NHS should allowsurgeons the flexibility to treat thesepatients as a priority offering aproper service to this large and everincreasing group of patients." John Black

Hip fracture patients ‘being put at risk’

Study examines United States hip replacement failuresA NEW study has revealed the mostcommon reasons why hipreplacements fail in the UnitedStates.

Researchers analysed data fromapproximately 50,000 patients whohad to have their hip replacementsredone between October 1, 2005and December 31, 2006.

They found the most commonreasons for patients needing

subsequent hip replacement surgeryinclude dislocation or loosening ofthe implant or an infection.

“The reason why this study isimportant is because up until nowit has been believed that the mostcommon reason why hipreplacements fail is because thebearing surface wears out,” said DrKevin Bozic, lead investigator of thestudy and assistant professor oforthopaedics at the University of

California. “Although our studyconfirmed that problems related tobearing surface wear do cause hipreplacements to fail, we found thatother problems may be even morecommon causes of hip replacementfailure.”

Results from the study alsoindicated there are things withinthe surgeon's control such assurgical technique and the way theimplant is installed that physicians

should be thinking about aspotential causes for failure asopposed to just design factorsrelated to the implants.

Kevin added: “Although we nowhave a better understanding as towhy hip replacements fail, we need to do more detailedstudies to find out the reasons whydislocation and infection arecommon causes of hip replacementfailure.”

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Physios usinggames consoleto aid patientsPHYSIOTHERAPISTS at two WestYorkshire hospitals are using a gamesconsole to improve the strength andco-ordination of amputee patients.

The physiotherapy department atBradford Royal Infirmary is using theNintendo Wiis because playingtennis, golf, boxing, bowling andbaseball demands a user acts out thephysical movements involved in thesport.

The console’s motion sensitivecontroller requires body movementssimilar to traditional therapy, but butprovides so much distraction,patients do not notice anydiscomfort.

“It is still very new but it is gettingvery good feedback from patients,”said physiotherapist Allen Brown.“Because they have such fun theydon’t think about the movementsthey are making – they just do it.

“It is good for weight transfer, aswell as core stability, co-ordination

and visual concentration.”

Seacroft Hospital in Leeds has alsoinstalled the Nintendo Wii Fitbalance board to help patients whohave had legs amputated get usedto using their prosthetic limbs.

It reads real-life movements andmimics them on screen while takingpart in sport, to help patients withrehabilitation and physical therapy.

According to Lynn Hirst, a seniorphysiotherapist at the hospital, manypatients have trouble balancing theirweight using a prosthetic limb. Toback that up there's some very livelygames which make them take theirweight right or left, forward or back,and that improves their core stabilityand their balance," she added.

Prior to the Wii, patients had todepend on therapists to advise themof their progress. However, they cannow use the board to see theirfitness levels and adjust theirbalance.

A Louth orthopaedic surgeon has provedhe is a cut above the rest by beingincluded in a directory of the world's mostaccomplished men and women.

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon RameshNayak has made it into the 2009 edition ofWho's Who in the World alongside suchnotable names as American president-elect Barack Obama.

Ramesh has been included in the book inrecognition of the research andpublications he has written onorthopaedic surgery, with particular

focussing on lower limb and traumasurgery.

“It is a complete surprise. I have no ideahow I came to be included in the book,”he said.

“I just received a letter from thepublishers saying that they would like toinclude me to recognise my hard workand dedication to success.

“I was asked to send over a biography tothem and was then selected for inclusion.It is a great honour for me to be includedalongside some really famous names.”

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PO By Dominic Musgrave

SPEAKERS from all over the worldwill attend this year’s annual BAPOevent, while more than 60 of theleading companies will also beexhibiting.

Highlights include Dr Ali Jawad,consultant rheumatlogist at the RoyalLondon Hospital, who will give theOrthotic Education and Training Trustlecture on ‘Advances in themanagement of Rheumatoid Arthritisand the impact on orthoticmanagement’.

The Spinal Interest Group will featureDr Louise Marcotte, ChristineCoillard, Andrew J. Mills, PascaleDion and Charles-Hilaire Rivard, withthe topic for discussion ‘Thetreatment of adult Scoliosis utilisingthe SpineCor Dynamic CorrectiveBrace’.

This will be followed by a talk byMartin Haines, charteredphysiotherapist and managingdirector at Mobilis Healthcare, called‘See how biomechanical screening of

the pelvis can improve your orthoticprescription’.

And Saeed Zahedi will be joined byBlatchford Clinical Services’prosthetists Ken McCrea and GemmaFinn for the ‘Prosthetic care for theobese/bariatric patients... can wesafely treat these patients?’ seminar.

The orthotics free papers featureseminars on a variety of subjectsincluding ‘After spinal cord injury –client expectation and reality –general lessons for rehabilitation’ byWillie Munro and ‘The challenges ofrehabilitation services/care in ruralTanzania’ by Sandy Sexton.

The prosthetics free papers alsocover a number of subjects, including‘What can PAM do for you?’ byAndrew Russell and ‘Validation ofMRI technology for prostheticresearch purposes’ by Arjan Buis.

The technical programme includes anupdate from the University ofStrathclyde’s Colin Martin on thework is being carried out to developthe new HNC national qualification

for rehab technicians before itslaunch in 2010.

And a technical committee questiontime will also look back on what hasbeen achieved in the last 12 yearsand its plans for the future.

The subject for this year’s awarenessday on the Friday before theconference is ‘Materials for orthoticsand prosthetics’, and will featurespeakers from several of the leadingcompanies.

Assistive Technologies will be at BAPO – See us on Stand 40

Dr Ali Jawad

Leading companies set to exhibit at BAPO

Entertainmentevents plannedTHE conference has a couple ofevening entertainment eventsplanned.

‘A night in Manhattan’ sponsored byDeNovo Healthcare will be held onthe Friday, while Saturday it is a‘Night at Cheltenham races’ with anopportunity for photographs to betaken inside the Reebok Stadium,Bolton, where the conference is beingheld.

This will be followed by a carverydinner and the chance to cheer on thehorses, with prizes awarded towinning tables.

This will be followed by a disco.

A couple of exhibitors are alsooffering delegates a couple ofincentives.

Gilbert and Mellish are offeringstudents the chance to receive £25from the cost of their weekendconference registration if they wear one of their polo shirts,while Otto Bock will give twodelegates the opportunity to receive their full conferenceregistration fees paid back to them ifthey enter a competition on theirstand.

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PARALYMPIAN and sportscommentator Marc Woods willdeliver the Ossur lecture at this year’s15th annual BAPO exhibition.

Marc, who won 12 swimmingmedals at five different Games, hadhis leg amputated because of cancerwhen he was 17. The day after hehad his stitches out he wentswimming, and after a year he wasquicker with one leg than when hehad two.

He has now retired fromcompetition, having competedcompetitively for 17 years, winning afurther 21 medals from either Worldor European Championship events.

His inspirational presentation ‘ThePath to Gold’ focuses on the needfor everyone to take personalresponsibility to team cohesion, andthrough to organisational change.

Also with a sporting theme will beSarah A. Deans and Sandra Sexton’spresentation entitled ‘The Need forSPEEAD (Sporting Prosthetics forEveryday and Elite Athletes with aDisability)’.

Sarah and Sandra are the lecturerand director respectively at theNational Centre for Prosthetics and

Orthotics at the University ofStrathclyde.

They say that preparation for the2014 Commonwealth Games inGlasgow has highlighted a need tochampion sport for people worthlower limb deficiency and give thosepeople who may now haveparticipated the opportunity to getinvolved.

Their talk will discuss the aims andobjectives of the recently creatednational SPEEAD network, which willfocus on building professionalexpertise, increase research capacityand facilitate knowledge transfer insporting prosthetics.

The event takes place at the ReebokStadium, Bolton from March 27-29.

Marc Woods

Paralympian willdeliver Ossur lecture

Company to launch new directoryGILBERT and Mellish hopes tolaunch its new product directory atthe BAPO exhibition.

The directory will include acollection of new Piedro children’sfootwear models covering themost popular lines such asNextstep, Standard and Stabilityboots.

G&M will also be introducing anumber of new spinal and kneebrace products to its range thathave not been available in the UKto date.

“These are very exciting times forG&M, who are a growing forcewithin the orthopaedic bracingmarket,” said marketing managerGemma Hirst.

A TEAM of three from the MidlandsCentre for Spinal Injuries at Oswestryorthopaedic hospital is visiting theSichuan province in China which wasdevastated by an earthquake lastyear.

They are part of a larger UK teamwhich will be making presentationsand working in hospitals inChengdu, Sichuan province andvisiting hospitals in Beijing for 10days.

The volunteers are being deployed bythe medical charity UK-MED withfunding from the Department forInternational Development at therequest of the Ministry of ForeignAffairs of China.

The Oswestry team includes spinalphysiotherapist Becky Dytor, wardsister Julie Haughton andoccupational therapist Anwen Evans.

“We are pleased to have been askedto give practical help and advice,”said Becky. “There is only one spinalinjury centre in the whole of Chinaand many of the earthquake victimshave sustained spinal cord injuries sothere is a huge need.

“We will be providing presentationsto help train the clinical teams inChina, as well as working alongsidethem with patients.”

Ward sister Julie Haughton, occupationaltherapist Anwen Evans and spinalphysiotherapist Becky Dytor.

Trio heading for China

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A SYSTEM that creates a virtual bodydouble of a person’s skeleton andmuscles could help people trying toregain movement after an illness byshowing them how well they areexercising.

The Human Body Model, developedby Motek Medical in Amsterdam,uses a virtual double to show whichmuscles a person is using byhighlighting them in green.

Users carry out exercises, such asrunning on a treadmill, whilewearing a suit with 47 reflectivemarkers placed in the positions ofspecific muscles.

Infrared strobe lights, flashing severalhundred times a second, help eightcameras to track the markers.

"It allows you to see the musclegroups you are using in real time,and even the forces they arecreating, which are usually invisible,"said Motek founder Oshri Even-Zohar. “The user's on-screen outputis not a direct measure of theirmuscle activity, but is based on

existing models of the anatomy andphysics of the human body and isintended as a tool to help thepatient.”

Sensors on the floor of the treadmillcan also be used to measure theforce applied to the ground by theuser's feet to give more informationon their muscle output and the loadon their joints.

The final stage is to feed thisinformation into computer models,which help create the detailed on-screen display of the user.

The software used to help create thedouble was trained by directlymeasuring the force generated bypeople's muscles while recordingtheir motion and the electricalactivity of their muscles.

The system is being tested at ShebaHospital in Tel Aviv, Israel, where it ishelping people regain movementafter a stroke. Researchers at theCleveland Clinic in Ohio are alsousing the system to study gait andlocomotion in healthy, active people.

‘Body double’could help peopleregain movement

A GROUP of occupational therapystudents at Robert Gordon Universityin Aberdeen hosted an exhibition ofproducts they have designed at theGarthdee campus.They promoted and illustratedservices related to occupationaltherapy provided by a number ofagencies who were represented atthe exhibition.As part of their course work thestudents spent five weeks working ingroups in health services outside theuniversity, including Aberdeen royalinfirmary and the health centre atCraiginches prison. Course tutorFiona Warrender said the endproducts will be used in the health

services where the students worked.“The exhibition demonstrated thevarious ways in which our studentscan work with health-relatedorganisations in the community,” sheadded. “The third year enterpriseproject aims to develop the students'skills in problem-solving, creativity,team-work, time management,evaluation and reflective skills, all ofwhich are essential once theybecome practising occupationaltherapists.”The products produced includedvideo clips, web pages, DVDs,posters, promotional presentations,leaflets and information packs aimedat patients and health practitioners.

Studentsshow offtheir workat theexhibition

OT students show off their designs

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Five minutes with ...Simon Thompson, managing director of DudleySurgical Appliances Limited

‘I would like to see patients receiving thesupport and products they need rather thancheap poor quality non effective ones whichensure they will be back tomorrow.£1 spenton orthotics today saves £4 tomorrow’

When did you becomeinterested in the industry andwhy?

I had an interest in the orthoticindustry from an early age as myfather began the company in1965, But more directly over thelast few years.

How did your career in theindustry begin?

My father was nearing retirementand I was a director of anaerospace manufacturing companyhaving financial problems with theA380 Airbus project. I came intothe company to learn the businessfrom top to bottom and move itforward.

If you could make onerecommendation to take theindustry forward what would itbe?

I would recommend that thereshould be a standardisation oforthotic provision in the NHSrather than all the varied modelswith a lot less procurement hubs.At least we would know where westand, rather than some contracts,some in house, some a mixture ofboth.

What would you like to seehappen to the industry in thefuture?

I would like to see patientsreceiving the support and productsthey need rather than cheap poor

quality non effective ones whichensure they will be backtomorrow. £1 spent on orthoticstoday saves £4 tomorrow.

How do you see the next 12months panning out for yourcompany? What is your goal?

2009 looks to be a strange yearwith the credit crunch, which mayaffect the private side now andthen. When public spending is cutin the years ahead more pressurewill be upon hospitals for morecutbacks. I would like to buck thattrend with new developments andproducts as well as somediversification.

Simon Thompson

Regular newsDJO Global is producing a quarterlye-newsletter to provide specialistswith regular, informative news fromthe orthopaedic field together withcompany updates.

It will also includes news on grants,fellowship programmes and researchprojects from around the world.

Lieve Vanden Berghe, director ofinternational marketing, said: “Withour quarterly newsletter we aim toprovide regular, informative newsfrom the orthopaedic field togetherwith company updates. We verymuch hope it becomes a platform forsharing information about eachother’s projects and commoninterests.”

A NEW shoe which protects casts isnow available in the UK.

Mobilis Healthcare’s Darco BodyArmor cast shoe has been designedto shield the cast from moisture,shock and everyday wear andfeatures a unique bungee closuresystem for ease of fastening andadjustment.

It is intended for use with plaster andfibreglass casts, heavy compressionbandaging or with standard hosieryduring post-operative recovery.

The shoe is available in five adultsizes between extra small and extralarge.

Cast shoe available

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GILBERT and Mellish is sponsoring aman who is suffering from spinalmuscular atrophy to do a charityskydive.

Simon Maders, 38, was born withthe rare genetic neuromusculardisease that affects one in 6000babies born.

There are numerous side effectsresulting from the condition, onebeing abnormally high foot-archeswhich require specialist footwear,and as a child Simon wore Piedrofootwear for many years.

As yet there is no known cure forSMA, and usually the long termprognosis is not favourable.However, Simon has an unusualstrain of the disease which has beenin complete remission for over 10years, enabling him to still lead afairly active lifestyle. He needs toraised a minimum of £395 for theJennifer Trust Fund, the only nationalcharity in the UK dedicated tosupporting those who suffer eitherdirectly or indirectly with the disease.

To sponsor Simon visitwww.justgiving.com/simonmaders

Diary datesDiary datesFebruary 17 and 18 – Craig Payne seminar – ManchesterFebruary 19 and 20 – Craig Payne seminar - Newcastle Upon TyneFebruary 27 – Össur Academy spinal symposium – Stoke MandevilleHospitalMarch 1-4 – Podiatry Services managers conference – Moat HouseHotel, Stoke-on-TrentMarch 7-8 – SCP Ireland annual conference – GalwayMarch 8 – British Chiropody and Podiatry Association annualconvention – Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln March 12 – Kidz in the Middle – Ricoh Arena, CoventryMarch 17 and 18 – The Care Show – BournemouthMarch 20 – Northen Ireland SCP annual conference – County AntrimMarch 27-29 – BAPO – Reebok Stadium, BoltonApril 3 – Össur Academy sports medicine conference – CardiffUniversityApril 15-17 – Posture and Mobility Group national training event –Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick� If you have an event which you would like to feature ring DominicMusgrave on 01226 734407 or email dm@whpl.net

Company sponsorsSimon’s charity skydive

CRAIG Payne, seniorpodiatry lecturer at LaTrobe University inAustralia, will lead aseries of clinicalbiomechanicalseminars across the UKand Ireland. The courseaims to provideparticipants withgreater knowledge andunderstanding of footbiomechanics andorthotics and applythese principles in theirown clinical practice.The course, which issponsored by A. AlgeoLtd, is detailed in fullat podiatry-arena.comand listed below.

Craig Payne

Seminar series

THE Association of Wheelchair Children(AWC) will run ‘Hot Wheels’, theKideQuip feature at the Naidexexhibition.

Wheelchair basketball paralympian AdeAdepitan, the patron of AWC, will alsoattend the first day of the show whichtakes place at the Birmingham NEC fromApril 28-30.

The charity will host free training eventsspecifically tailored to the needs ofdisabled children, concentrating onpractical aspects of wheelchair skills suchas road safety, wheelies, kerb work andcoping with rough grounds and slopes.

AWC will also be running ‘have a go’sessions throughout the three days,featuring wheelchair games, challenges,dance sessions and an introduction towheelchair basketball. Spare wheelchairswill be available so that non-disabledparents and siblings can join in with thefun. As part of KideQuip, free topicalseminars will also be taking placefeaturing guest speakers including multi-sensory room specialist RichardHirstwood, who will be running two

seminars on the first day of the show,and National Autistic Society trainingconsultant Chris Barson, who will berunning a seminar on all three days.

Paralympian toattend Naidex

A child having fun at last year’s Naidex

New venueBEYOND Boundaries Live has undergone amajor transformation and will be held at anew venue. The new-look show, which will take placeat Farnborough’s FIVE venue, will see a hostof activities and features – ranging fromsporting challenges, a rock climbing walland a ski slope through to a Paralympicexperience, cooking demonstrations and anoff-road test track. Event director MarkBrewster said: “The new venue allows forthe natural expansion of the show year-on-year.” There will be a large number ofexhibitors,offering a comprehensive rangeof products and services for the disabledmarket. The event, based on the TV series,takes place on July 4 and 5.

A youngster negotiates an obstacle at lastyear’s event

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Group makesacquisitionA. ALGEO Ltd has purchasedHertfordshire-based podiatryinstruments company Nova.The group hopes the acquisition willgive them the opportunity to expandthe podiatry range and offer more ofproducts for podiatry customers.Nova was founded 25 years ago byClive Over, a graduate of the LondonFoot Hospital. He built relationships withGerman instrument manufacturers todevelop an extensive range of productsto satisfy all the requirements of a busysurgery.Chairman Alan Sheridan says he isexcited about the new opportunities thetake over will have.“Clive has decided to retire from activebusiness life, and I am delighted thatwe are in the position to take over acompany which has built up a finereputation for reliability and quality ofservice over the past 25 years,” headded. “The acquisition provides us with theopportunity to take over thedistributorship of many qualityinstruments in addition to extending ourexisting range particularly into exportmarkets.”Clive will work with Algeos for a periodof time to ensure the transfer gosmoothly, while his son will continue tomaintain the practice formerly run byhis father in Goff’s Oak.

KATHRYN Fisher has joined DM Orthoticsas a neurophysiotherapist.Kathryn, who previously worked in theNHS for 25 years, says she is lookingforward to working with Lycra againhaving been part of the first researchinto its use in the industry.“I am looking forward to being part of ayoung, dynamic team,” she said. “ Andtaking the concept of Lycra out into the

physio field is something that reallyexcites me.”She added: “In this day and age peopleare becoming increasingly used to havinga choice and not settling for the firstthing they can find. Lycra is not beingwidely used because the evidence is notout there to support it so it is givingphysios an excuse not to use it. I want tochange that.”

Kathryn looking forward to new role

Knee brace boostfor motorcycle teamÖSSUR UK has donated three pairs of knee bracesto a motorcycle team which is accompanying theworld’s first bio-fuelled flying car as it embarks onan expedition.

The British team will travel to Timbuktu in theParajet SkyCar, a home-made vehicle which cantransform itself from a car into an aircraft inminutes.

Knee specialist and product manager JamesWoodgates fitted deputy expedition leader TimMaw, Jon Haw and Andrew Wiggins with the bracesbefore they set off on their journey by land and skyon the 6,000 km (3,730 miles) expedition throughFrance, Spain and north Africa, across the Sahara tothe finish. The trip is expected to take approximately40 days.

Össur previously supplied braces for Ewen McGregorand Charlie Boardman on their lengthy motorcycletrip featured in ‘a Long Way Down’.

Grant boost for‘diabetic shoe’MEDICAL footwear specialistLanger UK has received agrant of £30,000 towardsproduction of a 'diabetic shoe' speciallydesigned to prevent chroniculceration.

It has taken a major slice ofthe funding allocated byAdvantage West Midlandsand the EuropeanDevelopment Fund tosupport innovation andproduct development in theregion.

Langer's diabetic shoeconcept went before a panelof 20 experts before being

awarded the maximum grantavailable under the scheme, and theStaffordshire-based company is pressing ahead with bringing itsdesign to the market by thesummer.

Operations director PeterTaylor said: “After two yearsof research into the design,we were delighted to berecognised by the fund whichgives us the support we needto bring this product tomarket and expand researchin other areas.”

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SALFORD University sportsscience students have put theLancashire County Cricket Clubfirst team squad through theirpaces.

In preparation for the newseason, the cricketers, droppedinto the university's high-techhuman performance labs for agruelling fitness testing session.

They were analysed for speed,strength, power, agility, flexibility,body fat and endurance, usingcutting-edge technology.

Students from the directorate ofsport in the school of health care

professions analysed the playersunder the supervision ofacademic staff, and the resultswill be used by the team'scoaches to plan a trainingstrategy for the season ahead.

The university's Dr Phil Graham-Smith said: “The tests were a realsuccess and the players enjoyedlearning more about their fitnesslevels and making use of ourfacilities. Hopefully the resultsshould enable them to trainsmarter and play at theiroptimum throughout the longseason ahead.

“The students also benefittedfrom this hands-on training withsome of the fittest and mostaccomplished sportsmen in theUK. Our investment in the humanperformance lab and our highlyqualified staff helps us to attractprofessional sports clubs and giveour students some greatexperience.”

The session was part of ongoingfitness testing, post-injuryrehabilitation, and expert exerciseand health advice which theUniversity is delivering as officialhigher education partner to theclub.

Skipper Glen Chapple is put through his paces

A MIDDLESEX facility whichsupports people with spinal injuriesand a leisure centre in Kent werethe big winners at the first IFIAwards sponsored by Cybex.

Aspire National Training Centre inStanmore and Pent Valley inFolkestone picked up two awardseach at the ceremony at theBirmingham ICC which celebratedthe work of Inclusive FitnessInitiative accredited facilitiesnationwide.

Aspire won the innovation ininclusive marketing and theengaging volunteers awards, while Pent Valley won the creatinginclusive environments and the main prize of the night, the IFI award of outstandingachievement.

IFI national director Sue Cattonsaid: “The IFI awards are a clearsignal of the momentum that theIFI has gathered and just what it

now means to the industry to beregarded as inclusive.

“The industry has made staggeringsteps to progress from where theIFI started in 1998, yet it isimportant not to rest on ourlaurels. This year’s winners willneed to raise their game evenfurther to replicate their successnext year.”

Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre inChelmsford and The PembertonCentre in Rushden won thebuilding outstanding partnershipsaward and developing sport for allprizes respectively at the eventwhich was hosted by Chris HolmesMBE, Britain’s most successfulParalympic swimmer.

DC Leisure were recognised withthe demonstrating corporatecommitment honour, while AnneMeachem’s work with the PendleLeisure Trust was rewarded withthe individual commitment to

inclusive fitness award.

Michael McGrath, the only disabledperson to have reached both theNorth and South Poles, gave aninsight into his experiences as apolar adventurer.

As an award presenter he was alsoone of the first people to committo the IFI Inspirations scheme, acollaboration of individuals whosupport and endorse the work ofthe initiative.

Presenter Chris Holmes MBE

Double award for Middlesex facility

Salford University students putcricketers to the fitness test

Extra recruitsto probe tenniselbow treatmentBy Mary Ferguson

RESEARCHERS at the University of Queenslandare recruiting people to help investigate theeffect of different combinations of injectionsand physiotherapy treatments for tennis elbow.

Chair of sports physiotherapy and head of thedivision of physiotherapy, professor BillVicenzino, said tennis elbow was usuallybrought about by overusing the arm and hand, but could occur in people of all fitnesslevels.

“For example, it can occur in people whousually do office work and then either do about of gardening or renovations at home afterhours,” he added.

“The pain is noticeable when the patients use his or her hand to manipulatethings for example, when shaking hands,lifting a tea cup or pot or even light,one-cup pots, lifting shopping bags and opening doors.”

He added: “Clinical practitioners(physiotherapists and medical practitioners) feel that combining the two treatments givesthe best results, as they not only will speed up recovery but prevent injury re-occurring.”

Bill previously led studies which comparedcommon treatments including steroid injections, physiotherapy and a wait-and-seeapproach.

The results were published in the BritishMedical Journal and have helped to provideclinical recommendations for patients andhealth professionals.

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YOUNG people with special needsare being encouraged to submitbright ideas to help other disabledchildren.

For the Ready Willing and Mobilecompetition 2009, the Mouth andFoot Painting Artists (MFPA) haslinked with the competitionorganiser, the charity MobilityChoice, to sponsor an additionalprize for the best entry from ayoung person with a disability.

Now in its fifth year the competitionis designed to stimulate and rewardthinking about disability, accessibilityand inclusivity from a young age.

It is open to both disabled and non-disabled young people aged sevento 16 - either as individual entries orgroups of up to four – from schoolsand clubs.

“We're delighted that the MFPA issupporting the competition withthis additional prize for buddingyoung disabled artists,” saidMobility Choice executive directorJacqui Jones.

“This extra category is open to

young people across the wholedisability spectrum – whether theyhave a learning, physical or sensoryimpairment.”

The competition seeks innovativeideas to help less able children toachieve greater independence, bemore mobile and able to join indoing things we all enjoy – atschool, at home and at play.

It could be a concept for a newproduct or service that everyone canuse, but is especially good fordisabled children, or an idea fordeveloping an existing item orfacility.

The top entry from a disabledperson wins the MFPA prize of£1,000 art and craft materials fortheir school or club and £250 artand craft materials for themselves.

They will also be entered into thefinal judging for the outrightwinner, who bags £1,000 cash and£250 Staedtler art and craftmaterials for their school or club.

For themselves they win a digitalcamera and personal printer, £100

worth of HarperCollins books ofchoice, a weekend break for four inLondon with a trip on the LondonEye and a VIP visit to the MobilityRoadshow, which takes place atKemble airfield from June 4-6.

Last year’s winner Samantha Preston, 13, from Derby High

School receives her prizes from Ade Adepitan along

with her teacher.

Competition seeking brightideas to help disabled children

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DJO NEW PROCARE DIABETIC SHOE

THE new ProCare Diabetic shoe from DJO, offersan ideal solution for the treatment of diabeticulcers. The shoe includes the Impax insolewhich is constructed of pre-cut layeredPlastazote ® foam. The bottom twolayers of foam can be easily removedaround the affected areas and help torelieve pressure from specific areas sopromote wound healing.

Another key benefit in the design is thatthe top layer of foam stays in contact with theplantar surface of the foot, not allowing for “hot spots”.

The shoe can be easily taken on and off, which allows access to the affected area,while the removable reinforced squared toe box and wide foot bed leave ample roomfor wound dressings.It is also lightweight with a rocker sole making it easier and more comfortable to walkas the redistribution of weight of the patient through the plantar surface off-loads thewound area. The shoe has even been made in a universal left/right sizing making thisnew addition to the ProCare range another excellent tool in the quest to maximisepatient comfort in the foot and ankle market.

DJO UK Ltd

Enquiries: Telephone 01483 459 659 or visit www.djoglobal.co.uk

CASTING SAFETY STRIP

SAFETY of your patient is paramount especially in these days of litigation.

Cast removal has been a potentially dangerous process in the pastwhen using knives or blades. It is the duty of the clinician to preventthe patient from being put at risk.

The Casting Safety Strip is a specially made PVC channel that createsa space under the plaster for your plaster scissors, protecting thepatient at all times.

We can now offer our specially designed stainless steel plasterscissors for use with the Casting Safety Strip. Not only are theysafe, they make plaster removal extremely easy. The CastingSafety Strip process is used in the teaching of studentProsthetists and Orthotists in the UK.Casting Safety Strip costs £15.90 per metreSpecial Cast scissors £19.00 per pairProsthetist/orthotist starter kit £35.00� 1 metre casting strip� Special cast scissors� Indelible pencil� Chinagraph pencilPostage and packaging £5.00 M G Gillgan LtdEnquiries: Telephone 0161 747 8728 or email mggilligan@hotmail.com

A UNIQUE 3D DIGITAL CASTING AND FOOT MEASUREMENT SOLUTION

FOTOSCAN 3D is a unique scanning systemthat creates instant 3D digital casts anddelivers accurate and repeatable footmeasurements.

A FotoScan 3D foot scan is a quick andsimple photographic process, taking only afew seconds per foot. The result is a 3Ddigital cast, accurate to within 0.5 mm,allowing you to take a wide range ofprecise foot measurements.

And FotoScan 3D digital casts can also beviewed in full colour. So as well as measuring foot shape, you can also accuratelymeasure and monitor ulcers and other serious skin conditions.FotoScan 3D is a powerful clinical tool with proven applications in:� 3D casting for custom orthopaedic footwear� Accurate measurements for stock and modular footwear� 3D casting and foam box scanning for custom orthotic insoles� 2D and 3D measurement of foot ulcers and wounds� Full colour 3D images for clinical recordsFotoScan 3D is already revolutionising the supply of orthotics and custom footwear.

Precision 3D Ltd

Enquiries: Telephone 0117 934 9812 or email sales@precision3d.co.uk

HYPEREXTENSION ORTHOSIS

PRESENTING a fabulous collection, G&M has launched a newcollection of men’s orthopaedic footwear in two modern styles,including both shoes and boots.

These new styles provide all of the extra depth andspace required from orthopaedic footwear withoutcompromising on comfort or adaptability.

Developed using the original Dr. Livingstone last,these styles are deceptively light-weight yetincorporate extended stiffeners to provideextra comfort and support in a moderndesign.

Manufactured to the same highquality as their children’sorthopaedic footwear, Piedro’s®Stitched Down models are anexceptional choice for an off-the-shelforthopaedic shoe. Available in two colours - brown and black, in two materials -leather and nubuck, in two widths and in sizes six to 13.5, each pair have EVAinlays as standard. All styles can be modified for adaptations if required, and thesecan be provided at the point of ordering from G&M, who use only genuine Piedro®materials for all alterations.

Gilbert and Mellish Ltd

Enquiries: Telephone 0121 475 1101 or email cs@gilbert-mellish.co.uk

PIEDRO® MEN’S STITCHED DOWNRANGE FROM G&M

CRISPIN Orthotics Ltd offers a range of bespoke carbon fibreorthotic solutions to provide clinicians with a real alternative tothermoplastic orthoses.

In addition to the well documented high strength – low weightproperties associated with carbon fibre, the post preg materialused by Crispin Orthotics has the benefit of being heat mouldableafter manufacture, enabling adjustments to be performed in clinicand avoid time consuming return of the orthosis to themanufacturer for adjustment.

The material properties are fully exploited and orthosesof any shape can be produced. In addition, by varyingthe carbon fibre mix within the substrate, a mix ofstructural/functional characteristics within an individualorthosis can be achieved.

The specialist product team can create an orthosis to meetindividual patient needs using functional requirement dataprovided by the clinician in conjunction with theirknowledge of carbon mechanics. Alternatively the cliniciancan create their design using a carbon orthosisspecification form which can be provided on request.

Crispin Orthotics LtdEnquiries: Telephone 0113 271 7117 or visit www.crispinorthotics.com

CRISPIN ORTHOTICS’ INNOVATIVECARBON FIBRE ORTHOSES

The new 28R140 Dorso Arexa hyperextension orthosisfrom Otto Bock combines ultimate functionality with aprogressive, sporty design. Offering a load-relieving andstabilising effect for your lumbar spine and lowerthoracic spine, it features custom adjustment options, ahigh level of wearer comfort and an innovative design.With only one size required the orthosis covers a fittingspectrum for waist circumferences of up to 150centimetres. This is made possible by the extensionelements which you can attach using a simple clicksystem.

Auto-adaptive supports and soft, skin-friendlypads make the orthosis especially comfortable towear. Another benefit: thanks to centrallyattached easy-to-use ratchet locks, the orthosis iseasy to apply and remove. It is also water-resistant, which means it can be worn with norestrictions in the shower or during watertherapy. Dorso Arexa – the newstandard for stabilisation of thespine (Th10 to L2).

Otto Bock Healthcare PlcTelephone 0845 430 1231www.ottobock.co.uk

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