For full details of vacancy please click here
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.
Thursday 31 July 2014
Tuesday 29 July 2014
Monday 28 July 2014
#hellomynameis
As a healthcare professional you know so much about your patient. You know their name, their personal details, their health conditions, who they live with and much more. What do we as patients know about our healthcare professionals? The answer is often absolutely nothing, sometimes it seems not even their names. The balance of power is very one-sided in favour of the healthcare professional.
Getting to know people's names is part of building good working relationships with both patients and other colleagues. It is the first rung on the ladder to providing compassionate care and often getting the simple things right, means the more complex things will follow more easily and naturally.
Dr Kate Granger created the #hellomynameis campaign. If you support this idea please download a #hellomynameis name card from the BAPO website, add your name and send in a photograph of yourself toenquiries@bapo.comor post to the Secretariat. BAPO would like to create a collage of images that will be put onto YouTube to promote this campaign and our profession.
Please share with your fellow Prosthetists and Orthotists to see how many pledges we can get!
Friday 25 July 2014
OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee osteoarthritis
OARSI have published new guidelines for the non-surgical management of kneeosteoarthritis. They recommend use of biomechanical interventions as directedby an appropriate specialist.Full guidance can be downloaded here:
http://www.oarsi.org/sites/default/files/docs/2014/non_surgical_treatment_of_knee_oa_march_2014.pdf
Thursday 24 July 2014
Wednesday 23 July 2014
BAPO Bulletin July 2014
BAPO Bulletin July 2014
Outcome Measures
BAPO is doing some work on outcome measures. If you haven’t filled in the survey yet now is your chance, we need as many P&O professionals as possible to fill it in so please pass it on to those who may not be BAPO members. http://survey.bapo-online.com/index.php/944889/lang-en
Professional Indemnity
The government have now introduced the legislation requiring all AHP’s to have professional indemnity insurance. This will not affect the majority of registrants as they will already be indemnified either through their employer, BAPO Indemnity Insurance, directly with an insurer or a combination of these. It is, however, important that each HCPC registrant has the appropriate level of cover for their practice.
HCPC have published guidance for registrants, -Professional indemnity and your registration, which is available on their website here: http://www.hcpc-uk.org/assets/documents/10004776Professionalindemnityandyourregistration.pdf
HCPC have also put together some Frequently Asked Questions which are
available here: http://www.hcpc-uk.org/registrants/indemnity/
The government have now introduced the legislation requiring all AHP’s to have professional indemnity insurance. This will not affect the majority of registrants as they will already be indemnified either through their employer, BAPO Indemnity Insurance, directly with an insurer or a combination of these. It is, however, important that each HCPC registrant has the appropriate level of cover for their practice.
HCPC have published guidance for registrants, -Professional indemnity and your registration, which is available on their website here: http://www.hcpc-uk.org/assets/documents/10004776Professionalindemnityandyourregistration.pdf
HCPC have also put together some Frequently Asked Questions which are
available here: http://www.hcpc-uk.org/registrants/indemnity/
AHP Research Network
BAPO are part of the AHP research network and as such our profession can access and involve themselves in their activities. For those considering or already involved in research, the following may be of interest:
Clinical Academic Careers Capability Framework – May 2014
www.aukuh.org.uk/index.php/affiliate-groups/20-nmahps/128-clinical-academic-careers-pathway-capability-framework
BAPO are part of the AHP research network and as such our profession can access and involve themselves in their activities. For those considering or already involved in research, the following may be of interest:
Clinical Academic Careers Capability Framework – May 2014
www.aukuh.org.uk/index.php/affiliate-groups/20-nmahps/128-clinical-academic-careers-pathway-capability-framework
Chief Allied Health Professions Officer Appointed
NHS England has announced the appointment of Suzanne Rastrick as Chief Allied Health Professions Officer. She will work alongside colleagues both within and outside of NHS England, as the Senior Adviser to the Department of Health on AHP matters, as well as representing England’s health professionals on the international stage
NHS England has announced the appointment of Suzanne Rastrick as Chief Allied Health Professions Officer. She will work alongside colleagues both within and outside of NHS England, as the Senior Adviser to the Department of Health on AHP matters, as well as representing England’s health professionals on the international stage
An Open NHS Culture
Sir Robert Francis is currently leading a review to drive up safety standards in the NHS and to protect staff who speak out in the public interest in order to create an open culture needed to ensure safe care for patients.
Sir Robert Francis is currently leading a review to drive up safety standards in the NHS and to protect staff who speak out in the public interest in order to create an open culture needed to ensure safe care for patients.
The link
below gives more detail about this campaign and the new data which is available
to the public regarding safety in hospitals. http://www.gov.uk/government/news/nhs-rated-on-open-and-honest-reporting-culture-in-world-leading-transparency-drive
The government has also produced some
fundamental standards of care in response to this review which can be seen on
the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fundamental-standards-improving-quality-and-transparency-in-care
Keep an
eye on your inbox for more information on regional meetings and short courses. Coming
soon!!!
Thursday 17 July 2014
BAPO Secretariat
Please note that the BAPO Secretariat will be closed for the holiday weekend from 5pm on Thursday 17 July and will re-open on Tuesday 22 July at 8.45am
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust - Clinical Specialist Orthotist
For job advert details please click here
Improving the design of the curved rocker shoe for people with diabetes
Jonathan D Chapman
PhD Thesis 2014
AbstractIntroductionFoot ulceration and re-ulceration are a serious problem in people with diabetes as the outcome can be lower limb amputation, reducing quality of life and increasing mortality. The pathogenesis of foot ulceration is multifactorial with neuropathy, alterations in foot structure, callus formation and increased plantar foot pressure. The most effective intervention for reducing plantar pressure is the curved rocker outsole. To date this design has been prescribed from clinical intuition rather than scientific evidence. Therefore the studies within this thesis aimed to improve our understanding of how to best to design, and also prescribe, a rocker sole.MethodsEthical approval was obtained from the University of Salford and the NHS. Study 1 investigated the independent effect of varying the three outsole design features (apex angle, apex position and rocker angle) on plantar pressure in 24 people with diabetes and healthy participants. In-shoe pressure data was collected using Pedar-x and analysed using Matlab. Study 2 investigated the effect of varying apex position in combination with rocker angle, in 87 people with diabetes, and aimed to establish how many people would receive sufficient offloading when wearing a pre-defined rocker design. Study 3 investigated a new method of prescribing a rocker sole using artificial neural networks with an input of gait variables on 78 people with diabetes. Gait data was collected using Vicon and analysed using Visual-3D and Matlab.
ResultsThe results of Study 1 suggested that fixing apex angle at 95° would be a suitable compromise to offload the high risk areas (medial forefoot). It also suggested that apex position and rocker angle needed more investigation. Therefore, in Study 2 the combined effect of two rocker angles and four apex positions were investigated. Despite some inter- subject variability, this study showed that over 60% of participants received sufficient offloading when walking in a mean optimal design. Furthermore, over 60% of people received sufficient offloading with the smaller rocker angle of 15°. The results in Study 3showed there was low accuracy when predicting an individual optimal shoe using gait variables as inputs (34-49%).
ConclusionsThis project has shown it is possible to significantly reduce plantar pressures in people with diabetes with a well-designed rocker shoe (95° apex angle, individual apex position and 15° rocker angle). This finding paves the way for future clinical trials which could provide robust clinical evidence for the use of rocker shoes.
Source: http://usir.salford.ac.uk/31862/1/PhD_Thesis_Jonathan_D_Chapman_2014.pdf
Monday 14 July 2014
ProActive Prosthetic Job Advertisement - Prosthetist, Surrey
For further information on the current vacancy please click on the link below:
Thursday 3 July 2014
Club Foot Appeal
Algeos are looking for your help to support a fantastic charity called the http://www.infantclubfootappeal.org
Algeos have helped the charity set up a fully functional O&P workshop which will enable the team to produce suitable O&P devices.
Our container of products leaves Liverpool for Zanzibar on Monday 28th July. If anyone would like to make any generous donations we are in need of the following items.
Your help and support would be really appreciated and the people of Tanzania would be eternally grateful.
· Paediatric & adult shoes / boots to treat clubfoot
· Paediatric & adult insoles to treat clubfoot
· Paediatric & adult shoes
· Paediatric & adult insoles
· Paediatric & adult AFO's
· Nimco or similar style
· Scoliosis brace
· Foot supports
· Leg braces
· Skull guards
Please contact Algeos directly if you can help provide some of these items. Many thanks in advance, your support is very much appreciated and your generosity will make a huge difference.
Wednesday 2 July 2014
Thursday 26 June 2014
Wednesday 25 June 2014
The immediate effects of fitting and tuning solid ankle–foot orthoses in early stroke rehabilitation
Bruce Carse, Roy Bowers, Barry C Meadows, Philip Rowe
Abstract
Background: Ankle-foot orthoses are known to have a generally positive effect on gait in stroke, however the specifc type of AFO and the time point at which it is provided are highly variable in the currently available literature.
Objective: The objective was to determine the immediate spatiotemporal and kinematic effect of custom-made solid ankle–foot orthoses in early stroke rehabilitation, compared to shod walking.
Methods: Five male and three female participants were recruited to the study (n = 8), with a mean age of 57 (16) years who were 3.5 (3) weeks post-stroke. Each received a custom-made solid ankle–foot orthosis to a predefined set of design criteria and tuned using heel wedges to control the shank inclination angle during shod walking. Repeated spatiotemporal and three-dimensional gait measures were taken pre- and immediately post-intervention.
Study design: A pre–post-test experimental study.
Results: With the solid ankle–foot orthosis, walking velocity increased from 0.22 (0.2) to 0.36 (0.3) m/s (p < 0.05), overall average step length increased from 0.28 (0.1) to 0.37 (0.1) m (p < 0.05), cadence increased from 45 (19) to 56 (19) steps/min (p < 0.05) and step length symmetry ratio increased from 0.65 (0.2) to 0.74 (0.2) (not significant). No clear changes were observed in the joint kinematics of the hip and knee.
Conclusion: In our small group of early stroke patients who were fitted with a solid ankle–foot orthosis, immediate significant improvements occurred in walking speed, step length and cadence, when compared to walking with shoes only.
Clinical relevance This study provides evidence about the immediate effects of custom solid ankle–foot orthoses on gait of early stroke survivors. Ankle–foot orthosis design specifications are fully described for replication. This study suggests that observing global segment orientation may be more useful than joint angles when fitting and tuning ankle–foot orthoses for optimal ankle–foot orthosis/footwear alignment.
Monday 9 June 2014
Friday 6 June 2014
Tuesday 27 May 2014
Optimising the effects of rigid ankle foot orthoses on the gait of children with cerebral palsy (CP) – an exploratory trial
Kavi C. Jagadamma, kjagadamma@qmu.ac.uk Fiona J. Coutts, Thomas H. Mercer, Janet Herman, Jacqueline Yirrell, Lyndsay Forbes, and Marietta L. van der Linden
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
Vol. 0: 1-7
DOI: 10.3109/17483107.2014.908244
Abstract
Purpose: This exploratory trial investigated the effects of rigid ankle foot orthoses (AFO) with an optimally cast Angle of the Ankle in the AFO (AAAFO) on the gait of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), and whether tuning of the AFO – Footwear Combination (AFO-FC) further affected gait. Methods: Eight children with CP underwent gait analysis and tuning of their AFO-FCs using a 3-D motion analysis system. Comparisons were carried out for selected gait parameters between three conditions – barefoot, non-tuned AFO-FC and tuned AFO-FC. Results: In comparison to barefoot gait, walking with a non-tuned AFO-FC produced significant (p < 0.05) improvements in several key gait parameters. Compared to the non-tuned AFO-FC, on average a tuned AFO-FC produced a significant reduction in peak knee extension and knee ROM during gait. However, when examined as case studies, it was observed that the type of gait pattern demonstrated while wearing a non-tuned AFO-FC affected the outcomes of tuning. Conclusions: The findings of the current study indicate the potential benefits of using rigid AFO-FC with optimal AAAFO and tuning of AFO-FCs. This study emphasises the need for categorising children with CP based on their gait patterns when investigating the effects of interventions such as AFOs.Implications for Rehabilitation
Rigid ankle foot orthoses (AFO) cast at an optimal angle to accommodate the length of gastrocnemius muscle may positively influence walking in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). | |||||
Tuning of the AFO-Footwear Combination (AFO-FC) has potential benefits to the walking of children with CP, depending on their gait abnormalities. | |||||
When investigating the effects of interventions such as AFOs, it is important to categorise children with CP based on their gait abnormalities. | |||||
Keywords: AFO , ankle foot orthosis , cerebral palsy , gait , tuning
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/17483107.2014.908244
Friday 23 May 2014
Foot drop in MS: Experiences of using functional electrical stimulation (FES) or orthotic devices
Summary
Foot drop is a symptom experienced by some people with multiple sclerosis. It is caused by a disruption in the nerve pathway to and from the brain, which results in an inability to lift the foot and toes properly when walking. To improve walking and reduce the risk of trips or falls, foot drop can be treated using two types of device. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) uses small electrical charges to force the foot into a more natural position for walking. An ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) is a device made of plastic or carbon fibre that holds the foot and ankle in a correct position during walking.
This study aimed to explore the experiences and satisfaction with FES and AFO in people with MS who had foot drop.
10 participants took part in the study and were split into two groups, the first group was made up of people using FES (six participants) and the second used AFO (four participants). The groups were questioned and encouraged to discuss their experiences of using the devices.
A similar number of positive and negative aspects were described for FES and AFO. In both groups the participants said that their device had reduced their fatigue, improved their gait (the pattern of walking), reduced trips and falls and increased their confidence. The negative aspects mentioned by both groups included the implications for shoes and clothing, for example users had found it difficult to concealtheir device under their clothes for social occasions.
In conclusion both groups considered that the benefits to them from wearing the device were more important and outweighed any problems.
This study highlights the importance of a health professional taking the individual's experiences and preferences into account, when selecting and prescribing a device to manage foot drop.
Bulley C, Mercer TH, Hooper JE , et al.
Experiences of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) for foot-drop in people with multiple sclerosis..
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2014 May 6. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Experiences of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) for foot-drop in people with multiple sclerosis..
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2014 May 6. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Tuesday 13 May 2014
Lancashire Teaching Hopsitals NHS Trust SMRC - Band 7 Prosthetist
Click here to view the Job Advertisement.
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