For further information regarding the latest vacancies please follow the link below.
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, 8 September 2014
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
Orthotic Treatment of Neurological Conditions
This event aims to:
Review orthotic principles of managing different types of neurological conditions
Provide up to date knowledge on orthotic prescription and interventions available to complement orthotic treatment.
For further information on the BAPO short course please follow the link below:
Guidance Framework for personalised care and population health
Resource to support nurses, midwives, health visitors and AHPs to access best evidence for practice and deliver their public health role.
Guidance can be found here:
Tuesday, 2 September 2014
The effect of knee orthoses on gait parameters in medial knee compartment osteoarthritis: A literature review
Maryam Maleki, Mokhtar Arazpour, Mahmoud Joghtaei, Stephen W Hutchins, Atefeh Aboutorabi, Ali Pouyan
Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a musculoskeletal condition which is most prevalent in the medial compartment. This injury causes considerable pain, disability, and negative changes in kinetic and kinematic parameters. The efficiency of unloader valgus brace as a conservative treatment for medial knee osteoarthritis is not well documented.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the previous research regarding the biomechanical effects of knee valgus braces on walking in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis patients.
Study design: Literature review
Methods: According to the population intervention comparison outcome measure methods and based on selected keywords, 12 studies were chosen according to (met) the inclusion criteria.
Results: The results indicated that treatment with knee braces was effective in decreasing pain, improving function, ameliorating improvement in range of motion, and increasing speed of walking and step length in conjunction with a reduction in the adduction moment applied to the knee.
Conclusion: Osteoarthritis knee braces may be considered for improvement of walking and treatment of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.
Clinical relevance Knee braces are an orthotic intervention that could potentially be significant in assisting in improving the walking parameters and treatment of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.
Friday, 29 August 2014
Ankle-foot orthoses that restrict dorsiflexion improve walking in polio survivors with calf muscle weakness
H.E. Ploeger, S.A. Bus, M.A. Brehm, F. Nollet
Abstract
In polio survivors with calf muscle weakness, dorsiflexion-restricting ankle-foot orthoses (DR-AFOs) aim to improve gait in order to reduce walking-related problems such as instability or increased energy cost. However, evidence on the efficacy of DR-AFOs in polio survivors is lacking. We investigated the effect of DR-AFOs on gait biomechanics, walking energy cost, speed, and perceived waking ability in this patient group.
Sixteen polio survivors with calf muscle weakness underwent 3D-gait analyses to assess gait biomechanics when walking with DR-AFOs and with shoes only. Ambulant registration of gas-exchange during a 6-minute walk test determined walking energy cost, and comfortable gait speed was calculated from the walked distance during this test. Perceived walking ability was assessed using purposely-designed questionnaires.
Compared with shoes-only, walking with DR-AFOs significantly increased forward progression of the center of pressure (CoP) in mid-stance and it reduced ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion in mid- and terminal stance (p < 0.05). Furthermore, walking energy cost was lower (-7%, p = 0.052) and gait speed was higher (p = 0.005). Patients were significantly more satisfied, felt safer and less exhausted with the DR-AFO, compared to shoes-only (p < 0.05). DR-AFO effects varied largely across patients. Patients who walked with limited forward CoP progression and persisting knee extension during the shoes-only condition seemed to have benefitted least from the DR-AFO.
In polio survivors with calf muscle weakness, DR-AFOs improved gait biomechanics, speed and perceived walking ability, compared to shoes-only. Effects may depend on the shoes-only gait pattern, therefore further study is needed to determine which patients benefit most from the DR-AFO.
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
Friday, 15 August 2014
Sunday, 10 August 2014
Personalized Orthoses as a Good Treatment Option for Charcot Neuro-osteoarthropathy of the Foot
Maria Luz González Fernández, Rosario Morales Lozano, Carmen Martínez Rincón, and David MartínezHernández
Background: We sought to assess the biomechanical characteristics of the feet of patients with Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy and to determine reulceration rates before and after personalized conservative orthotic treatment.
Methods: A longitudinal prospective study was performed in 35 patients with Charcot's foot. Although some patients had a history of ulcers, at the study outset no patient had ulcers. All of the patients underwent biomechanical testing and a radiographic study. A radiophotopodogram was prepared by superimposing an imprint of the sole on a plantar radiograph. Based on the results of these tests, an orthopedic insole was prepared and therapeutic footwear prescribed for each foot. The following variables were compared between the Charcot and unaffected feet: previous ulcers and ulcer sites, reulcerations produced after treatment, type of foot (neuropathic/neuroischemic), ankle mobility, first-ray mobility, and relaxed calcaneal stance position. Treatment efficacy was determined by comparing ulcers presenting in patients in the year leading up to the study period and the year in which treatment was received.
Results: In a 1-year period, 70 feet received orthotic treatment, of which 41 were Charcot's feet. Ulceration rates before the study were 73.2% in feet with Charcot's and 31.0% in those without. After 1 year of wearing the customized orthoses, rates fell significantly to 9.8% in the Charcot feet and 0% in the feet without this condition.
Conclusions: Conservative customized orthotic treatment was effective at preventing ulcers and the complications that often lead these patients to surgery.
Source: http://www.japmaonline.org/doi/abs/10.7547/0003-0538-104.4.375
Friday, 8 August 2014
Paediatric Gait Analysis and Orthotic Management
This course explores a fresh approach to the observation and analysis of normal gait and standing, and the classification and management of gait disorders.
If you are interested in this course, please click the link below for further details:
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
The Subtalar Joint Axis Palpation Technique Part 2: Reliability and Validity Results Using Cadaver Feet
Ken K. Van Alsenoy, Kristiaan D'Août, PhD, Evie E. Vereecke, Joris De Schepper, and Derek SantosBackground: Clinically locating the point of no rotation to determine the subtalar joint axis location by applying pressure on the plantar surface of the foot was described by Kirby in 1987 but was never validated. We sought to extend a previously validated mechanical model to cadaver feet and to examine the intratester and intertester reliability.
Methods: Four testers with different levels of experience determined the subtalar joint axis location and moved the subtalar joint through its range of motion, capturing the movement using kinematic analysis. The comparison of the spatial subtalar joint axis location as determined by palpation between and within testers determined the intertester and intratester reliability. The helical axis method was performed to validate the model.
Results: The intrarater reliability varied from a high of α = 0.96 to a low of α = 0.26 for the slope and was, in general, high (α = 0.78–0.95) for the intersection. The interrater reliability scored moderate to high, depending on the specific cadaver specimen. Concerning the exact location of the subtalar joint axis, no significant difference was found between the results determined by different testers and the helical axis method.
Conclusions: The palpation technique as part of the subtalar joint axis location and rotational equilibrium theory proposed by Kirby is a reliable and valid clinical tool. Experience in performing the palpation technique has a positive influence on the accuracy of the results. In the context of evidence-based practice, this technique could be a standard tool in the examination of patients with lower-limb–related pathologic disorders.
Source: http://www.japmaonline.org/doi/abs/10.7547/0003-0538-104.4.365
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
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