The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) was established to encourage high standards of prosthetic and orthotic practice. It is committed to Continued Professional Development and education to enhance standards of prosthetic and orthotic care. BAPO is the only UK body that represents the interests of prosthetic and orthotic professionals and associate members to their employers, BAPO enjoys the support of a high majority of the profession as members.
Monday 16 December 2013
Sunday 15 December 2013
Effect of an ankle–foot orthosis on knee joint mechanics: A novel conservative treatment for knee osteoarthritis
Abstract
Background: Several conservative treatments for medial knee osteoarthritis such as knee orthosis and laterally wedged insoles have been shown to reduce the load in the medial knee compartment. However, those treatments also present limitations such as patient compliance and inconsistent results regarding the treatment success.
Objective: To analyze the effect of an ankle–foot orthosis on the knee adduction moment and knee joint alignment in the frontal plane in subjects with knee varus alignment.
Study design: Controlled laboratory study, repeated measurements.
Methods: In total, 14 healthy subjects with knee varus alignment were analyzed in five different conditions: without orthotic, with laterally wedged insoles, and with an ankle–foot orthosis in three different adjustments. Three-dimensional kinetic and kinematic data were collected during gait analysis.
Results: Significant decreases in knee adduction moment, knee lever arm, and joint alignment in the frontal plane were observed with the ankle–foot orthosis in all three different adjustments. No significant differences could be found in any parameter while using the laterally wedged insoles.
Conclusion: The ankle–foot orthosis was effective in reducing the knee adduction moment. The decreases in this parameter seem to be achieved by changing the knee joint alignment and thereby reducing the knee lever arm in the frontal plane.
Clinical relevance This study presents a novel approach for reducing the load in the medial knee compartment, which could be developed as a new treatment option for patients with medial knee osteoarthritis.
Source: http://poi.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/12/10/0309364613513297.abstract
Friday 6 December 2013
HCPC News Release 4/12/13
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Outcomes of the consultation on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration fees
At its most recent meeting, the HCPC Council agreed to proposals to increase the registration renewal fee to £80 per year. The Council also agreed a similar level of increases to other registration fees.
The Council's decision to increase the fees was carefully considered and followed an in-depth analysis of the responses to the fees consultation which closed recently.
Marc Seale, Chief Executive and Registrar commented;
"We are very aware of the concerns raised by registrants about these increases and of the economic context in which we operate. For this reason, we have consciously managed our costs as efficiently as we can whilst striving to improve our effectiveness.
"The fees we charge pay for all our operating costs. However, these fees have not increased since 2009 despite rising costs. We have worked hard to limit the increases as much as possible, but it is crucial that we have sufficient funds to continue to operate efficiently and effectively in protecting the public.
"The new fee structure still means we have the lowest renewal fee of all the regulators overseen by the Professional Standards Authority. It also allows us to manage increases in costs in an incremental way, preventing financial difficulties which might otherwise lead to substantial unplanned increases to the fees."
Subject to parliamentary approval, the new registration fee structure will come into effect on 1 April 2014.
A full summary of the responses to the consultation is available on our website at www.hcpc-uk.org/aboutus/consultations/closed/index.asp?id=160<file:///C:\Users\gaylee\AppData\Local\Temp\>. The report contains an analysis of the responses we received as well as our comments and decisions. We also have answers to a series of 'frequently asked questions' about the revised registration fees at www.hcpc-uk.org/registrants/fees/consultation<file:///C:\Users\gaylee\AppData\Local\Temp\>
BAPO Conference & Exhibition 2014 - OETT Technician Training Day
Studies examine ways to optimize OA bracing
Friday 29 November 2013
BAPO Conference & Exhibition 2014 - Call for Posters
Friday 22 November 2013
HCPC News Release
New research commissioned by the HCPC shows that one in five 'doubted fitness to practise' of a health or care professional
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is launching new research today which finds that a fifth of UK adults have encountered behaviour from a health or care professional that made them doubt their fitness to practise.
More than a quarter said the health or care professional in question seriously or persistently failed to meet standards whilst 16 per cent said they felt the professional failed to respect the rights of a patient to make their own choices. Thirteen per cent felt they were 'hiding mistakes' and a further nine per cent felt they were exploiting vulnerable patients. One in twenty said they had experienced or witnessed reckless or deliberately harmful acts.
Despite these figures, just three out of ten reported their concerns, with a further 73 per cent of adults who would not know where to go to report concerning behaviour.
The data, released today supports research commissioned by the HCPC earlier in the year into what the general public feel they need protection from most. Findings from this report show that Illegal drug taking and shoplifting were far more likely to concern members of the public than convictions for drink driving. Dishonesty and fraud were also key concerns for most.
Brian James, Head of Assurance and Development said:
"The vast majority of HCPC registrants practise safely and effectively and within nationally agreed standards for professional skills and behaviour. However, on the rare occasion that a registrant does not meet HCPC standards, action can be taken including imposing sanctions or stopping them from practising in the most serious of cases. After looking at the key findings in this research it is reassuring to know that we are dealing with the issues that the public feel they need protecting from the most."
The HCPC's 2013 annual fitness to practise report<http://www.hcpc-uk.org/publications/reports/index.asp?id=709>, which has just been published, shows the action the HCPC is taking to protect the public.
Anyone can contact the HCPC to raise a concern about a registrant. This includes members of the public, employers, the police and other professionals.
Tuesday 19 November 2013
Save the Date
Save the Date for the BAPO conference 2014.
When: 14th-16th March
Where: The Point, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Old Trafford, Manchester.
Its set to be a Fantastic Weekend with some great speakers so don't miss out Save the Date now!
Friday 15 November 2013
BAPO Conference & Exhibition 2014 Call for Papers
BAPO are seeking presentations both Prosthetic and Orthotic of 12 minutes duration with up to 3 minutes for questions and answers.
For more details download submission instructions here
Thursday 3 October 2013
Physiotherapy to Complement Orthotic Treatment
Physiotherapy to Complement Orthotic Treatment
Saturday 12th October 2013
**last chance to book on this course**
Thursday 19 September 2013
LimbPower Holding Primary & Junior Games at Stoke Mandeville Stadium
Saturday 5th October will see those aged 5-11 able to try out a variety of sports including athletics, cycling, football, tennis and basketball in 'Have a Go' sessions under the guidance of experienced mentors and instructors from each sport's governing body. The emphasis is on fun while encouraging the children to have a go at sports and socialise with their peers.
On Sunday 6th October the older children aged between 11-18 will be able to have a go at key Paralympic sports, with instruction from qualified coaches and experienced athletes. They will be able to try out a wide range of sports including; athletics, Powerlifting, basketball, sitting volleyball, archery, football, cycling, swimming and tennis. They will be able to have fun and also perhaps find some hidden talents. We may even discover the Paralympians of the future!
"We're thrilled to be able to run this event again and offer the same opportunities to children that we have been offering to adults at the Amputee Games" said Kiera Roche, LimbPower Chairman. "Last year was such a great success, and we're hoping to reach even more young people and give them the chance to challenge what they think they are capable of."
Juliette Woolf, mother of Rio Woolf who took part last year, commented; "The 2012 LimbPower Primary Games were life-changing for Rio - he absolutely loved trying all the different para-sports on offer and making friendships with other "children with special arms and legs" which will last a lifetime - they had an instant bond!"
The Primary & Junior Games will help young amputees to learn new skills, have fun and importantly to discover their potential through sport. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Kiera Roche from LimbPower on: 07502 276858 or kiera@limbpower.com Alternatively registration forms can be downloaded from the website at www.limbpower.com/junior-games/
Monday 9 September 2013
Surgical versus non‐surgical interventions in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Surgical versus non‐surgical interventions in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
corrective forces ... However, some braces (called soft braces) are made of material similar to elas-
tic bands ... of the brace are used to straighten the spine and derotate the pelvis and ...
Retrospective Cohort Study ofthe Economic Value of Orthotic and Prosthetic Services
Medicare recipients given orthotic and prosthetic devices were more likely to remain active in the community and avoid facility-based care than similar Medicare patients who didn't receive such devices, a retrospective study found.
For example, patients receiving lower-extremity orthoses had fewer hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) admissions, and had about 10% lower Medicare costs after 18 months (P<0.05). Comparable Medicare savings were seen in patients with spinal orthoses and they also relied less on facility-based care (P<0.05).
The study results will be used to urge Medicare and other payers to make it easier for patients in need of prosthetics to receive them, the Amputee Coalition, a Manassas, Va.-based advocacy group that commissioned the study, said Tuesday.
The advocates said patients who receive orthoses and prosthetics will save Medicare money in the long run.
Although they relied less on facility-based care, patients receiving the orthotic and prosthetic devices did have more falls and fractures, and average Medicare episode payments weren't always lower. The increase in falls was most likely due to increased mobility because of the device, according to Allen Dobson, president of Dobson DaVanzo & Associates in Vienna, Va., the consulting firm that conducted the study.
"The increased physical therapy among O&P [orthoses and prosthetic] users allowed patients to become less bed-bound and more independent, which may be associated with higher rates of falls and fractures, but fewer emergency room admissions and acute care hospital admissions," the report concluded. "This reduction in health care utilization ultimately makes O&P services cost-effective for the Medicare program and increases the quality of life and independence of the patient."
Dobson, a former research director at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and colleagues examined CMS data from 2007 to 2010 for patients who either had an amputation within the last year or who met predetermined etiological diagnoses. Patients who received a lower-extremity or spinal orthotic or prosthetic device were compared with those who hadn't received such devices.
The study compared healthcare utilization, Medicare payments, and negative outcomes such as fall and emergency department admissions for up to 18 months after receiving the device.
Generally, patients were found to be more mobile and therefore able to receive the physical therapy and rehabilitation required, and to avoid facility-based care.
With the data in hand, advocates hope it will be easier for patients to receive authorization for the devices.
"Insurers want to see the data that the healthcare system is better off if the service is provided," Susan Stout, interim president and chief executive of the Amputee Coalition, said in a call with reporters. "Now that the study is completed, we intend to use the information contained in the study to achieve fair insurance coverage for prosthetic devices."
Providers must prove the medical necessity of devices before insurers will pay for their use, a step which can be burdensome to patients and physicians. Insurers also have a tendency to provide the least expensive prostheses rather than one that maximizes a patient's mobility.
"For the first time, we can actually use the data ... that clearly demonstrates the efficiency and the efficacy of the services that we provide," Thomas Kirk, PhD, president of theAmerican Orthotic & Prosthetic Association, said in a call with reporters. "Not only are we providing services that can help out patients, we are also helping the American taxpayers save money."
While payers don't deny the devices, a number of patients are underserved by insurers, the advocates said on the call Tuesday. "Many payers have seen the cost of a prosthesis in a vacuum rather than seeing it as actually contributing to the overall improved health of the patient," Kirk said.
The authors hope to publish the results in a medical journal later.
Source: http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/Medicare/41260
Link to report: http://www.amputee-coalition.org/content/documents/dobson-davanzo-report.pdf
Tuesday 3 September 2013
Effect of rocker shoes on pain, disability and activity limitation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Abstract
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disease which affects the joints and soft tissues of the foot and ankle. Rocker shoes may be prescribed for the symptomatic foot in rheumatoid arthritis; however, there is a limited evidence base to support the use of rocker shoes in these patients.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of heel-to-toe rocker shoes on pain, disability, and activity limitation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Study design: Clinical trial.
Methods: Seventeen female patients with rheumatoid arthritis of 1 year or more duration, disease activity score of less than 2.6, and foot and ankle pain were recruited. Heel-to-toe rocker shoe was made according to each patient's foot size. All the patients were evaluated immediately, 7 and 30 days after their first visit. Foot Function Index values were recorded at each appointment.
Results: With the use of rocker shoes, Foot Function Index values decreased in all subscales. This reduction was noted in the first visit and was maintained throughout the trials.
Conclusion: Rocker shoe can improve pain, disability, and activity limitation in patients with rheumatoid foot pain. All the subjects reported improved comfort levels.
Clinical relevance The results of this study showed that high-top, heel-to-toe rocker shoe with wide toe box was effective at reducing foot and ankle pain. It was also regarded as comfortable and acceptable footwear by the patients with rheumatoid foot problems.
Friday 30 August 2013
Suspended without pay
HCPC REGISTRATION RENEWAL REMINDER
DEADLINE: 30 SEPTEMBER 2013
http://www.hpc-uk.org/aboutregistration/theregister/
Paediatric Gait Analysis and Orthotic Management - BAPO Run Short Course - 8th & 9th November 2013
Friday 23 August 2013
Register as a stakeholder for a Clinical Reference Group
Tuesday 20 August 2013
Physiotherapy to Complement Orthotic Treatment
Sunday 18 August 2013
Does excessive flatfoot deformity affect function? A comparison between symptomatic and asymptomatic flatfeet using the Oxford Foot Model
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Jonathan