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INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE
ISSUE 63 October/November 08 £6.95
Research team in joint failure detection hope By Dominic Musgrave AN orthopaedic research team in Liverpool are hoping to come up with a new way of detecting when joint replacements are about to come loose. The University of Liverpool team aims to develop and evaluate a simple blood test which would give warning of a problem developing before bone damage was visible on x-ray. More than 150,000 joint replacement operations are performed every year in the UK, mostly of them hip and knee, with 10 per cent failing and having to be replaced (known as revision surgery) within 10 years. The new three-year project, which is funded by a £187,000 grant from the Arthritis Research Campaign, could lead to many benefits, according to principal investigator Simon Frostick, professor of orthopaedics at the University’s Musculoskeletal Sciences Research Group. “For doctors, a good test to detect the likelihood of joint failure would allow easier and cheaper monitoring, without the need for expensive xrays,” he said. “It would also enable surgeons to focus on patients at risk of their joint becoming loose. For patients it would mean better monitoring
without hospital visit and x-rays, just a GP visit and blood test. “For researchers and manufacturers of implants it would be invaluable, as new implants could be monitored more closely, and problems and improvements identified more quickly. And for scientists it would mean that non-surgical treatments to stop the loosening process before bone damage could be developed and monitored.” Loosening of artificial joints is caused when plastic and metal fragments from the implant slowly wear away, causing inflammation and leading to the bone around the joint becoming unstable. To enable them to find out if the blood test is effective – using a marker taken from blood cells entering the tissue near the particles of metal and plastic – the Liverpool team will sample the blood of 250 people in three different patients’ groups. They are patients just before their first joint replacement, patients who have had an implant within five years, who have had no problems, and patients with implants which are problematic. All groups will be followed for the duration of the study.
People who are paralysed from the waist down are learning to walk or climb stairs thanks to a new robotic suit. Israeli high-tech company Argo Medical Technologies founder Amit Goffer created the device, which is in clinical trials in Tel Aviv's Sheba Medical Centre. His own paralysis inspired him to look for an alternative to the wheelchair for mobility. Full story: Page 4
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Wii bit of help
Pictures: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Marine Claudia ‘feeling sensations in missing hand’ By Dominic Musgrave A WOMAN marine fitted with a ‘bionic arm’ which is controlled by thought has begun feeling sensations in her missing hand. Claudia Mitchell, who lost her arm in a motorcycle crash in 2004, was fitted with a standard prosthetic arm after attempts to reattach her severed limb were unsuccessful. But as her arm had been amputated at the shoulder, she lost the nerves normally used to control a conventional prosthetic arm and so volunteered to be fitted with a new type of limb in 2006 which uses a surgical process called 'targeted reinnervation'. Surgeons took nerves from her shoulder and embedded them under muscle in her chest, and now when she thinks 'Move', her chest muscle lets out tiny electrical impulses which are picked up by the robotic arm. These signals are interpreted by a computer and motors cause the arm to move almost instantly. Claudia is able to carry out simple
thought-controlled movements like folding a shirt and even opening a bottle of wine.
Dominic Musgrave Healthcare Editor Email: dm@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734407 Sales Hayley Doig Email: hd@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734412
Sales representative Fax: 01226 734478
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But the procedure has had an odd side-effect, enabling her to 'feel' sensations in her missing hand.
Design/Production Judith Halkerston Group Deputy Editor Email: jhalkerston@whpl.net Stewart Holt Studio Manager Email: sth@whpl.net
Four months after the operation she was in the shower and 'felt' hot water on her lost hand when it hit her chest, where the nerves have been transplanted.
Doctors at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, which developed the new procedure, believe she has experienced the sensations because they moved sensory as well as motor nerves from her shoulder to chest.
Contacts Editorial Andrew Harrod Group Editor editorial@assistivetechnologies.co.uk
"I have what I call 'eureka moments' – my stunned, 'I can't believe I just did that' moments,” she said. “There are a lot of daily tasks that people don’t even think about being able to do that I can do now.”
She also found that touching her chest or applying heat and cold to it would give her the sensation of pressure, warmth or coolness in her missing hand.
PATIENTS at an Inverness hospital are using the Nintendo Wii to recover their strength and mobility after suffering a stroke. Raigmore Hospital’s stroke unit is using the games console to improve hand-eye coordination and balance of its patients. The methods were revealed during an open day at the unit as staff and patients marked the opening of a new clinic on the ward. “It can aid hand-eye co-ordination, stamina, and balance, said occupational therapist Susan Macgregor. “Even patients with language problems can use this and there is a fun social element to the games as well.”
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Sales and Marketing Director Tony Barry Email: tb@whpl.net
Dr Todd Kuiken of the Institute said: "We have rewired her,” said Dr Todd Kuiken, who developed the procedure. “We purposely directed her hand sensation nerves on to some chest skin, and it worked." It is hoped that the discovery could lead to the creation of new limbs that can feel as well as move.
Product manager Jackie Brook Email: jb@whpl.net Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all contents, the publishers do not accept liability for any error, printed or otherwise, that may occur.
www.assistivetechnologies.co.uk
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
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Robotic suit helping users stand and walk A ROBOTIC suit is helping people paralysed from the waist down to stand, walk and even climb stairs. Users of the ReWalk wear a backpack device and braces on their legs and select the activity they want from a remote control wrist band. Leaning forwards activates body sensors setting the robotic legs in motion. Users walk with crutches, controlling the suit through changes in centre of gravity and upper body movements. The device effectively mimics the exoskeletion of a crab. Former Israeli paratrooper Radi Kaiof has been paralysed for the last 20 years following an injury during his service in the Israeli military. “I never dreamed I would walk again,” he said. “After I was wounded, I forgot what it's like. Only when standing up can I feel how tall I really am and speak to people eye to eye, not from below.” The device, which is now in clinical trials in Tel Aviv's Sheba Medical Centre, is the brainchild of engineer Amit Goffer, founder of small Israeli high-tech company Argo Medical Technologies. His own paralysis inspired him to
‘Only when standing up can I feel how tall I really am and speak to people eye to eye, not from below’ look for an alternative to the wheelchair for mobility. The company claims that by maintaining users upright on a daily basis, and exercising even paralysed limbs in the course of movement, the device can alleviate many of the health-related problems associated with long-term wheelchair use. “There are a number of devices about which stabilise the trunk and can help with gait,” said Dr Mark Bacon, an expert at the UK charity Spinal Research. “Often they are very bulky and are only used for rehabilitation in specialist centres. “Sitting down in a wheelchair can be an issue for some people. Devices like this one might be appealing. However, it might not be any better than a wheelchair in terms of convenience. “And these devices are only suitable for people who still have good control over their hands and shoulders.”
Former Israeli paratrooper Radi Kaiof
Disabled adventurer to speak at dinner By Dominic Musgrave THE only disabled person in the world to have conquered both North and South Poles will be the guest speaker at the inaugural Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) awards dinner. Polar adventurer and disability champion Michael McGrath will talk about his life and exploits at the event at The ICC, Birmingham sponsored by Cybex on December 10 which will recognise IFI accredited facilities in developing inclusive physical activity for disabled people. “The Inclusive Fitness awards are a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge the work that the fitness industry has done to include disabled people so far,” said IFI national director Sue Catton. “The awards are not a recognition of achieving an ultimate goal, they are more an endorsement of the outstanding progress being made and an incentive to continue to improve the service our industry offers year on year.” 4
The eight award categories are: Innovation in inclusive marketing: Building outstanding partnerships; Creating inclusive environments; Engaging volunteers; Individual
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
commitment to inclusive fitness; Developing sport for all; Demonstrating corporate commitment and the IFI award of outstanding achievement 2008.
Polar conquerer and disability champion Michael McGrath
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The cost effective way to ‘cast’ for custom foot orthoses ... What happens next?
CUSTOM made foot orthoses are widely used in clinical practice to treat biomechanical dysfunction of the foot, and to redistribute increased pressure in the ‘at risk’ foot. (Diabetes and Rheumatoid Arthritis). (1) The traditional approach to this method has been to initially take a plaster cast of the foot. (2,3). The use of plaster casts to manufacture foot orthoses is well established and widely used, but has been shown to have some reliability and repeatability issues with inter and intra practitioner variation. (4) However, despite these issues, reviews of outcome surveys have shown that they are clinically successful. (5) More recently optical scanning of the foot is possible which reduces some of the disadvantages of casting, including the variation experienced through casting. (6) Comparisons of high quality optical scanning to plaster casts have shown only minimal differences in shape. (7) Therefore it is beneficial to look at the cost comparisons for the use of scanning technology against the continued use of plaster casting for foot orthoses. Other beneficial impacts of using scanner technology include the dramatic saving in time to take the cast/image. From accurately assessed figures we find that there is a time saving of approximately 20 minutes per patient. This would allow a further patient to be seen in the time that it would take for casts to be taken. Time savings in the lab show even more dramatic savings as there is no need for the 24 hours taken for the casts to dry before manufacture. The data can be processed within seconds of the data being electronically sent to the lab, and therefore the manufacture of the devices can be started much earlier than when casts are used. This will undoubtedly improve the patient experience as there will be a much faster delivery and therefore start to the treatment programme for the patient which will have knock on effects on outcomes for the patient. With the flexibility of the Langer Scanner, scans can be taken weight bearing, semi weight bearing or non weight bearing , this allows different types of orthoses to be made dependent on the patient condition.
The scanned information on arrival at the Langer Manufacturing Facility is collated with the prescription form (this is automatic) and the scans are analysed to ensure quality and information accessibility.
ADVERTSING FEATURE
05
The scan information is then combined with prescription and entered into our state of the art software. To individually design custom orthoses, without using library shapes, to ensure the correct fit and prescription for your patients. This state of the art system has resulted from major financial investment by Langer UK, to improve our ability to manufacture for our customers. This software is the most sophisticated orthoses system in the world and can be used to develop and design orthoses for casted manufacture or direct milled using our highly technical mill. Reporting
The Langer scanner can gather both customer and patient information. This allows Langer to provide various reports to our customers based on their personal requirements. This can include numbers of orders placed, types of devices, patient details, dates of despatch and issue. These allow the customer and scanner user to follow up easily all patients and to keep tracks on prescribing patterns, giving vital information enabling audits to be completed easily and quickly. The reports can be tailored so that further information can be included even outcome measures. Cost comparison
The costs for the production of suitable information to produce foot orthoses have been compared in order to give a cost/timer benefit plan for the use of optical scanner technology. ITEM
ASSUMPTION
COST
Podiatrist/ Clinicican
charge of £30-50/hr To cover time costs
£30-50 / hour time cost.
POP
one roll of 15 cm
£3.00
Bandage
at cost of approx
£3.00
Packaging and post
will vary dependent On method used Average cost taken
£5.00
Assuming upper and lower cost based on the clinician’s time will give the following: From this information and assuming that the accuracy of the scanning technology matches or surpasses the quoted information, (the Langer scanner uses digital camera technology and is therefore extremely accurate (to 0.5mm) and is as accurate as POP casting). We can show that: There are major cost savings to the clinician/ NHS of around £30.00 per pair of casts. Time saving of approximately 20 mins per patient. Accurate repeatability (all scans are digitally saved and can be reused). Saving in time for the information to get to the lab at least 1 day. Reduced time for devices to be finished and returned to customer. Increased throughput of patients through the clinic, reducing waiting lists. Accurate inter and intra repeatability. Clean, no mess to clean up.
TIME COSTS COMPARISON Activity
Clinician Time Casting Scanning
Simple and easy to set up and use.
Prep
2 mins
0 mins (assuming scanner is switched on).
References
Taking cast
5 mins
5 mins
Cast setting Cleaning Packing cast Total
5 mins 5 mins 15 mins 32 mins
0 0 0 5
1. Landorf et al; Foot orthoses prescription habits of Austrailian and NZ Podiatric Physicians JAPMA 2001 91 174-183
min mins mins min
Writing prescription takes the same for both approx 10 mins.
TOTAL COSTS COMPARISON Method
Time costs
Material/Postage costs
Total
Casting
£16-26.00
£8.00
£24.00-34.00
Scanner
£2.5-4.16
0.00
£2.50-4.16
This gives a direct comparison of day to day running costs per pair of orthoses. Therefore total cost comparison is: Casting £24.00-34.00 Scanning £2.50-4.16 Therefore showing a cost saving by using scanner of: Between: £21.50-29.84
2. Root ML, Weed J Orien W ; Neutral casting positions Los Angeles: Clinical Biomechanics Corporation 1971. 3. Losito JM Impression Casting Techniques in Valmassey R ed.
Clinical Biomechanics of the Lower Extremity St Louis Mosby 1996. 4. Chuter V Payne C Miller K; Variability of Neutral position casting of the foot JAPMA 2003 93 1-5 5. Landorf K Keenan A-M Efficacy of foot orthoses; what does the literature tell us? APMA 1998 32 (3) 105-113 6. Black E The future of foot orthoses; BioMechanics 1997 5:1723 7. Laughton C McClay-Davis I Williams DS ; A comparison of four methods of obtaining a negative impression of the foot. JAPMA 2002; 92:261-268 Dimensions Plantar Scanner 40x70x23 cm Weight 20kg Portable 24x28x10 Weight 2kg
To find out more contact Langer on 01538 755861 or visit www.lbguk.com
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Oxford University engineers are developing motion sensors similar to those developed for video games like Nintendo Wii to help stroke sufferers. Dominic Musgrave found out more.
Video game sensors could help stroke sufferers By Dominic Musgrave THE team hopes the technology will help patients relearn the movements needed to perform everyday tasks such as drinking a cup of tea or brushing their hair. At present assessing the range of upper body movement a patient has after a stroke and how they are improving as a result of treatment or physiotherapy relies solely on the judgement of healthcare workers. The Oxford researchers aim to create an objective way of measuring how shoulder and arm movements are improving to give better feedback throughout the rehabilitation process. The new technology builds on previous work into analysing the gait – or walking pattern – of children affected with cerebral palsy. “In the past a lot of work has gone into analysing walking and movement of the lower body but comparatively little work has been done on upper body movement,” said Dr Penny Probert Smith from the department of engineering science, who led the team. “We hope to break down useful movements – anything from handling money to tying shoelaces – into different elements that can be quantified and then assessed against standardised measures based on current clinical tests.” The system uses the same motion
Above: the gait lab model and, top, the gait lab
sensing technology that records the movements of actors for computergenerated films such as Beowulf. In the Oxford Gait Laboratory 12 infrared cameras work together to track the movement of reflective markers stuck to a person’s wrist, arm and torso in realtime. This information can then be compared with data from five wearable sensors on the upper body:
‘The idea is that they could then receive regular feedback on their progress using the simpler sensor system either in GPs’ surgeries or even in their own home.’ 6
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I 0CTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
these sensors combine 3D accelerometers (measuring acceleration), 3D gyroscopes (measuring ‘turn’ velocity) and 3D magnetometers (measuring the earth’s magnetic field for reference). “At the moment we are using the sophisticated laboratory set-up to test a much cheaper, simpler system based on wearable sensors,” added Nour Shublaq, the engineering student developing the technology. “Immediately after a stroke, a patient would be assessed in the laboratory, but the idea is that they could then receive regular feedback on their progress using the simpler sensor system either in GPs’ surgeries
or even in their own home.” This kind of feedback could help combat ‘physio fatigue’: when patients stop doing their daily exercises because they cannot see the small, incremental improvements in their range of movement that they bring – often leading to a less complete recovery. Within a year the researchers hope to test the simpler, motion-based system on adult volunteers who are recovering from a stroke to see how it can aid their recovery. The work is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
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THE shortlist has been unveiled and voting has begun in this year’s BHTA Excellence Awards sponsored by Assistive Technologies magazine. You can vote for your favourite from the list of companies by following the instructions on our website www.assistivetechnologies.co.uk or by filling in the form on page 10. The winner in each category will receive a special trophy from Angela Rippon at the annual awards dinner at Hotel Russell, London on December 4. The runner up will receive a certificate. Voting closes on November 10 at 5pm. Open to all readers, there are four categories:
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BHTA Living Design award entries double
Angela Rippon and Wharncliffe Publishing managing director Michael Hewitt with Robin Cooper of prosthetics winner RSL Steeper at last year’s ceremony.
Prosthetics:
MORE than double the number of entries have been received for the 2008 BHTA Independent Living Design Awards compared with last year.
Dorset Orthopaedic Ltd North Sea Plastics Ossur Otto Bock RSL Steeper Touch Bionics
With more than 20 innovative products to assess, it will be a hard job for the judges to whittle them down to a shortlist and then choose the first, second and third place winners.
Rehabilitation:
Careflex Leisurelines GB Ltd Nottingham Rehab Supplies Ltd Ossur Renray Healthcare Trulife
Mobility:
Orthotics:
Albion Mobility MERU Mobilis Healthcare Pride Mobility Remploy TGA
A Algeo Limited DJO UK Ltd DM Orthotics Langer UK Ltd RSL Steeper Remploy
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
Recognised as the most important award for assistive technologies products in the UK, this is the 13th year they have taken place, and this time BHTA customers and retailers have had a hand in the nominations as well as manufacturers being invited to enter their own products. Entries submitted range across many of the different BHTA membership product sectors, including mobility, prosthetics, stoma and continence. As always, the aim of the awards is to find innovative products that help disabled, elderly and vulnerable
people live a more independent life. The 2008 judges have been carefully chosen for their broad knowledge and experience. Sue Norris, former head of the NHS Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing (CEP), takes the chair for the fourth time. This year she is joined by Julia Scott, chief executive of the College of Occupational Therapists; Bob Empson, a trustee of The Foundation for Assistive Technology (FAST); Maggie Winchcombe, a trained occupational therapist who runs her own consultancy business, working for Government departments, industry and voluntary organisations and new judge Steve McNeice from emPower, who is also a member of the Associate Parliamentary Limb Loss group. The winners will be presented with their trophies at the BHTA awards dinner at the Hotel Russell in London on 4 December.
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Hip implants designed for women By Dominic Musgrave ORTHOPAEDIC surgeons at Rush University Medical Centre are offering a new hip replacement designed especially for women. The M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology was designed by Richard Berger, a doctor at the hospital, and made by Zimmer Inc. “The traditional artificial hip is based on a man’s anatomy,” said Richard. “Women are built differently than men – they tend to be shorter, more petite and have smaller bones and shorter hips.” “The availability of implants in a wide variety of shapes and sizes will help us provide a more patientspecific approach for all patients.” The new replacement means doctors will no longer need to make adjustments during surgery as they had to when using a conventional hip replacement implant. The results are not always perfect for women as well as men shorter than five feet five inches. In some cases the stem of the implant, which is the part that fits inside the upper thigh bone, may be too long and can cause the hip to push out and the leg to be slightly longer than normal. The stress from the mismatch can cause the new hip to fail or lead to significant pain and disability, requiring another replacement.
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The gender-specific hip implant comes in three separate sections: a stem, the head and the neck, so it is adjustable for a woman’s size and shape. During the surgery, all three sections are connected. The pieces lock in place but can be changed at anytime. Another advantage of the genderspecific hip is that it is minimally invasive surgery and only requires small incisions to place each of the separate components. Because there is no need to cut through muscles and tendons, the recovery time is significantly reduced. Richard and Dr Aaron Rosenberg, an orthopedic surgeon at Rush, also helped design the first high-flex knee replacement implant shaped specifically to fit a woman’s anatomy. "Knee implants have been functioning very well for men and women, but we wanted to meet women's unique needs by making knee replacements that feel, fit and function even better," added Aaron. “The implant is the best of both worlds. It's based on the current implant we use, a highly successful implant with great mechanics and 10 years of clinical success. “Only the shape of this new implant is different, to make it feel more natural.”
Physiotherapist suspended A PHYSIOTHERAPIST has been suspended for his inappropriate treatment of two female patients and his failure to inform the Health Professions Council of conditions imposed on his membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists. A panel of the HPC conduct and competence committee heard how on several occasions Albert Ian Constable failed to communicate effectively and made inappropriate comments when treating two patients. The panel also heard that he behaved in an inappropriate manner towards both female patients. On one occasion he ran his fingers over parts of one of the complainant’s body without having any clinical need to do so and tickled her stomach with his fingers. The panel heard evidence from
several witnesses, including the patients involved, the registrant and the registrant’s representative. They also considered the written statement of a physiotherapist who worked with the registrant. Panel chair Raymond Pattison said: “The panel noted that the registrant had demonstrated serious failings in his approach to the issue of maintaining the respect, rights, dignity and individual sensibilities of his patients. Further he has expressed no remorse for the distress caused to two of his patients, nor has he demonstrated at anytime during the hearing, awareness of the impact of not allowing patient privacy. Finally, the registrant has shown a lack of awareness of what patients might consider an intimate intervention and in addition, the appropriate use of chaperones.” Albert was suspended for one year. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
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‘No justification’ for denying ops over obesity
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By Dominic Musgrave RESEARCH by scientists at the universities of Southampton, Bristol, Oxford and Keele has shown that there is no justification for denying obese patients knee replacement surgery. The study showed that clinically obese people (those who have a body mass index (BMI) of above 30 kg/m2) can benefit almost as much as anyone else from the procedure. Around 55,000 knee replacements are performed each year in England to relieve the pain and disability of knee osteoarthritis. However, in some parts of the country, surgery is offered only to patients who are not clinically obese on the grounds that obesity is itself a risk factor for knee osteoarthritis. Professor Cyrus Cooper, director of the ERC and professor of rheumatology at the University of Southampton, said: “The long-term improvement in physical function that we observed in patients who have undergone knee replacement surgery is striking when set against the decline that occurred in the comparison group.
“These benefits extended to those patients who were clinically obese. Our results show that as long as appropriate selection criteria are applied with regard to fitness for surgery, there seems little justification for withholding the operation from patients who are obese.” The research team reached its conclusions following a six-year study of two groups of people, all over the age of 45. The first group (325 people) had all had knee replacement surgery and the second group (363 people) had not. At the start and end of the study, all participants completed a validated questionnaire designed to assess their mobility, mental health and wellbeing. The findings showed that, overall, the mobility of those who had had knee replacement surgery improved over the six years of the study, while it fell in the comparison group. When researchers restricted their analysis to those participants who were obese, improvements in mobility appeared to persist and BMI was not a significant predictor of this improvement. Daily living aids manufacturer Mountway has appointed Vicki Chislett as its new head of marketing. Vicki has seven years’ experience in both consumer and trade marketing for a wide range of products, and she will head up the marketing department, overseeing all of Mountway’s strategic marketing activities. “It’s a challenge but I’m very much enjoying getting my teeth into the new role and I’m pleased to be part of such an exciting period of rapid growth,” she said. “It’s a different industry for me so I’m learning new things every day too.” Following the recent acquisition of Nordic Care Services, Mountway has added over 250 new products to its catalogue.
Forty physiotherapists attend spinal symposium
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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
MORE than 40 senior physiotherapists representing the 12 largest spinal units in the south west attended the Össur Academy Spinal Symposium at the Cardiff Technology in Motion Clinic.
speakers that followed.
Professor Mike Benjamin began proceedings with a detailed anatomy of the spine to set the stage for the
Össur personnel were also on hand to demonstrate the innovative Miami JTO spinal bracing system.
The other speakers were Dr Kathleen Lyons, David Wilson, Dr Valerie Sparks, Victoria Edwards and Sachin Ahuga, all leaders in their respective fields.
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Physio Paul nets two major contracts By Lyndsey Smith A FORMER football physiotherapist has successfully attained two major contracts as he looks to continually develop his business. Paul Gough Physio Rooms, which operates from outlets in Darlington, Durham, and Hartlepool, has secured an agreement with BUPA, and also with local firm, Housing Hartlepool. Paul, 26, is delighted with his continuing success. He said: “To be recognised by the BUPA provider’s team is fantastic news for us and is a pleasant reward for the high standards we have set since the clinic opened in April last year. “It is a testament to the skills and knowledge of our staff that we have been recognised by BUPA so soon. “We’re aware that not everyone will be insured by BUPA, but even for those who aren’t the fact that we are regulated by the Health Professions Council and now BUPA ensures that the quality of our treatment will benefit all of our patients.” The contract will see direct referrals from BUPA, GP’s, consultants or any patients in the town with a BUPA health insurance plan as well as providing a service to the general public.
Paul has also secured a two year contract with Housing Hartlepool which will involve providing a physiotherapy service to injured staff, advising on work capabilities and light duties, whilst staff receive treatment and return to full fitness. Paul said: “We are thrilled to be working with a company that values the health and well being of its staff and it is very satisfying for us to be chosen especially as this contract was applied for by numerous other physiotherapists.
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“Hopefully our service will prove to be cost efficient for Housing Hartlepool. We will aim to keep as many staff as possible at work and at the very least return them to work more quickly than would have been possible without our treatment.” Paul hopes these two contracts will lead to more success in the future. “It is fantastic to be recognised by two big companies,” he said. “However we must not lose sight of our focus and goal which is to provide a treatment service and help make people free from pain. “If we continue to do this then hopefully more companies like BUPA and Housing Hartlepool will recognise us and more contracts will come our way.”
Paul Gough
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The robot created by researchers at the University of Reading Picture: DIEM photography/University of Reading
Rat brain cells control robot A ROBOT controlled by a blob of rat brain cells could provide insights into diseases such as Alzheimer's according to researchers at the University of Reading. The project marries 300,000 rat neurons to a robot that navigates via sonar. The key aim is that eventually this will lead to a better understanding of development and of diseases and disorders which affect the brain such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke and brain injury. The neurons are now being taught to steer the robot around obstacles and avoid the walls of the small pen in which it is kept. By studying what happens to the neurons as they learn, its creators hope to reveal how memories are laid down. Professor Kevin Warwick from the School of Systems Engineering, said: "This new research is tremendously exciting as firstly the biological brain controls its own moving robot body, and secondly it will enable us to investigate how the brain learns and memorises its experiences. This research will move our 12
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
understanding forward of how brains work, and could have a profound effect on many areas of science and medicine." The researchers are now working towards getting the robot to learn by applying different signals as it moves into predefined positions. It is hoped that as the learning progresses, it will be possible to witness how memories manifest themselves in the brain when the robot revisits familiar territory. This project has been funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The Reading team is not the first to harness living tissue to control robots. In 2003, Dr Steve Potter at the Georgia Institute of Technology pioneered work on what he dubbed "hybrots" that marry neural tissue and robots. In earlier work, scientists at Northwestern University Medical Center in the US wired a wheeled robot up to a lamprey in a bid to explore novel ways of controlling prosthetics.
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Patients who need physiotherapy following a stroke or accident could soon be put through their paces in a virtual reality environment. Dominic Musgrave reports.
Wendy Powell with stroke survivor Andy Long
Virtual journey for rehab patients? A RESEARCHER at the University of Portsmouth has created a rehabilitation programme that places patients on a treadmill and into a virtual world. Wendy Powell, a PhD student in the School of Creative Technologies, has developed the software which works in conjunction with a specially adapted treadmill. It works by using moving images to trick the patient’s brain into thinking he or she is walking more slowly than they are which in turn encourages them to walk faster and further. Early results also suggest that patients using virtual rehabilitation may experience less pain than traditional physiotherapy alone. A former chiropractor, Wendy hopes it will pave the way for a new and innovative approach to physiotherapy. “The virtual system encourages patients to walk more quickly and for longer, almost without them realising it.,” she said. “We’re effectively fooling the brain and the
body. “The environment is stimulating and entertaining and there’s less fear of falling over. Our test subjects are usually surprised when I tell them they’ve improved by up to 20 per cent.” Wendy also hopes the system will help older stroke patients who often find traditional approaches to improving their speed and distance difficult because it relies on selfmotivation. She added: “After a stroke or fall many older people lack motivation and confidence and they don’t feel steady on their feet so getting out and about can be an issue and they can find the whole process rather dull.” Her system uses a variety of different images from urban landscapes to forest and mountain scenes. She has built a system of rewards into some of the programmes, which encourages the patient to pick up objects and collect points. She said that older people were not put off by the ‘computer game’ element but
Slings offer comfort and support to wearers JOSLIN ER Slings are temporary arm supports for acute conditions that offer exceptional comfort and support, yet provide a disposable option. The flexible nature of the Joslin ER sling reduces common neck complaints and dramatically increases patient compliance. Being stretchable, the Joslin ER Sling stretches from the elbow to the wrist to provide a custom fit. The Joslin ER Sling is universal, fitting both left and right arms and are available in both paediatric and adult sizes. Slings and packaging are colour coded for easy stock keeping and access in an emergency. For a product demonstration or literature contact G&M on 0121 483 1927 or email marketing@gilbert-mellish.co.uk. 14
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Clinical trials on real patients are taking place in collaboration with experts at the McGill University in Canada.
“The vast majority of stroke survivors cannot use a normal treadmill because they are not in control and many can only hold on with one hand, making it almost impossible,” he said.
Andy Long, 61, a stroke survivor who has tested Wendy’s system, described it as “magic”.
“Walking is the best possible exercise for their bodies and this system would help enormously.”
seemed to enjoy it.
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New device helps patients walk more naturally By Dominic Musgrave A NEW device has been created which helps stroke survivors and patients suffering from other neurological or muscular disorders to walk more naturally. The NESS L300 neurorehabilitation system designed by Rush University Medical Centre researchers aims to overcome the problem of foot drop – a partial leg paralysis that prevents the foot from lifting. It is a non-invasive, wireless leg brace worn on the lower leg. Small sensors placed by the heel of the foot detect whether the patient’s foot is in the air or on the ground. Electrodes transmit painless electronic stimulation to the peroneal nerve to activate the
calf muscle and correct a patient’s gait. When weight is taken off the patient’s foot, the brace sends a signal to contract muscles inside the calf, allowing the foot to swing forward. “Foot drop is a condition where the muscles in the foot are too weak to properly lift the foot, heel and toes while walking,” said Dr James Young, medical director of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rush. “It is often present in patients who have suffered a stroke, traumatic brain injury, incomplete spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.” The tool has proved beneficial not only in patients who recently suffered traumatic brain injuries, but also those who have suffered from several years of immobility or from
strokes several years ago. “The device has helped our patients retrain and regain control of their bodies and achieve greater mobility and independence,” added James. “We have seen vast improvements in patients such as walking coordination, speed and blood flow and a decrease in the effort required during walking while wearing the device.” The medical centre also offers a similar device for rehabilitation of arm movement called the NESS H200. It is a small wireless, portable device that comprises of a hand, a forearm brace with five surface electrodes that stimulate muscles to initiate grasp, release and thumb movements.
Scientists ‘discover’ a sense of touch SCIENTISTS have unveiled an artificial finger that could give disabled people a sense of touch. And researchers at Unilever, who are developing the finger, say the first working prototypes could be available within 18 months. The digit has been developed as part of an EUfunded project into advanced artificial limbs. It is hoped the Nanobiotact could also soon be used to give robots a sense of touch, allowing them to undertake far more delicate tasks than currently possible. The finger uses thousands of tiny touch sensors, each smaller than a pinhead. “We want to develop a machine with a sense of touch,” said project leader Dr Simon Watson at the BA Festival of Science in Liverpool. “This brings us closer to the prospect of prosthetic hands that can provide the same sort of sensory feedback as the natural senses. One application is robotic devices for use by surgeons where the surgeon receives feedback from an instrument on what it is 'feeling', via gloves.” He added that the work could also result in next generation computer games. A second team at Unilever is investigating how the brain processes touch information, using a robot to analyse what levels of skin stimulation are passed to the brain. The researchers have found that stroking the skin at three to five centimetres per second, with a light touch, stimulates the brain most. It is hoped the research will eventually allow prosthetic limbs to work with the brain more effectively.
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Operation quality is favourable
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THE quality of hip and knee replacement operations in England compares favourably to the rest of the developed world according to the first research. The study of more than 150,000 NHS patients over three-and-a-half years by The Royal College of Surgeons also found that further investigations into which patients should get which type of operation is needed. Overall, only one in 75 (1.4 per cent) patients required revision to their hip or knee operation within three years, the Public Library of Science journal reported. But revision rates were higher for newer procedures such as ‘hip resurfacing’ and ‘unicondylar knee’, with researchers saying further studies over longer timescales is needed to find out why this variation persists and narrow down which patients would most benefit from these operations. “Hip and knee operations are among the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the country and there are many different types of prosthesis and operative techniques with new ones being developed all the time,” said John Black, president of the Royal College of Surgeons. “It is a pleasure to note just how good these results are, a credit to the nation’s orthopaedic surgeons and their teams. “By having a national registry and linking with routinely collected patient data we can quickly evaluate these technical innovations and ensure patients get the best possible outcomes from their surgery, even better than they are at the moment.”
The figure is lower than other countries who run national joint registries with Norway, Australia and Sweden all reporting higher rates. “This study demonstrates what can be achieved by linking the National Joint Registry (NJR) with Department of Health’s Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) data. The paper convincingly shows that hip and knee replacements continue to improve in their success rates and that our results are amongst the finest in the world,” said Stephen Cannon of the British Orthopaedic Association. “The utilisation of the NJR shows that there are concerns with hip re-surfacing and the use of uni-condylar prostheses which require further study regarding their clinical indications. The British Orthopaedic Association will continue to encourage research specific into these areas.”
Occupational therapist struck off AN occupational therapist has been struck off the HPC Register for misconduct while employed in a senior post with Surrey County Council. A panel of the HPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard oral evidence from five witnesses who had worked with Kerry Campbell. The panel found that she failed to maintain adequate records of assessments of patients, provided inappropriate treatment to patients and wrote up case notes retrospectively. They also found that Kerry falsely wrote up case 16
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notes and incorrectly closed cases that required further assessment. “The panel is of the clear view that the facts found proved constitute misconduct,” said Panel chair Paul Archer. “This conclusion is reached on the basis that there has been clear and compelling evidence that Mrs Campbell could perform to a high standard. The facts proved are breaches of core competencies and thus the panel finds that in not discharging her duties Mrs Campbell knew what was required of her and deliberately chose not to do so.”
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Dame Tanni opens new living centre By Dominic Musgrave PARALYMPIAN Dame Tanni GreyThompson officially opened the Indy Enabled Living Centre in Worcester. Dame Tanni’s total haul of 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 golds, as well as six gold medals in the London Marathon and comprehensive set of British and world records make her achievements unique in the disability sport arena. She is currently leading the review by UK Athletics of its anti-doping policy, and is a member of the Board of Transport for London. Dame Tanni has her own forthright views on issues of interest to people with disabilities, including mobility shops. “Why can’t they be a bit less dull?” she said. “Most mobility shops are not terribly pleasant; in fact some of them are a bit grim with little or no choice. “If I want to buy some nice clothes
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I’d like to have a wider choice than just between tartan, olive green or navy blue. Just because I use a wheelchair doesn’t mean I want to look like a sack of potatoes.” She added: “And if I’m looking for something that will help me either with mobility or to do things around the house, I want to be able to browse around a place that looks nice and smells nice – not somewhere dull and functional with a pile of incontinence pads in the window.” Indy founder David Badham says the new facility aims to change the face of mobility provision in the UK by offering people with disabilities the chance to see, try and compare a wide range of adaptive clothing and aids where professional advice is available from experienced staff including qualified occupational therapists.
The first female factory workers have started work at daily living aids manufacturer Mountway Limited. Throughout its 27-year history the only workers on the factory floor at Mountway have been men. But two women, 22-year-old Bev Nash and Tina Griffiths, 44, have joined the team of 17 as production operatives at the company’s Tredegar base. “Everyone was pleased to welcome Bev and Tina,” said operations manager Darren Young. “They’ve introduced a new dynamic to the team
and have had a calming influence on the shop floor. It’s never been a conscious decision not to employee females, it’s just we hadn’t attracted any women to the role in the past. “In the latest set of interviews Bev and Tina were the best candidates for the job and they fit in really well. There are a few things we’ve had to adjust – as they are a little bit smaller than the men – but we were happy to make the investment and we are delighted that they have joined our team at Mountway.”
The centre also includes what is believed to be Britain’s first purposedesigned outdoor all-terrain test track for mobility scooters.
Early-discharge pilot finds major success A ONE-YEAR pilot scheme which gives patients the chance to leave hospital earlier and receive followup care at home is proving to be a major success. The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Team launched the service to allow patients who have had emergency surgery or routine hip or knee operations to be discharged after a reasonable period and followed up by routine daily house calls from the Trust’s Orthopaedic Outreach Team to aid their recovery. The team consists of a nurse coordinator, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and three rehabilitation carers. The help and care given can be anything from helping to make a meal, assisting patients when getting out of bed and getting dressed in the morning, as well as continuous rehabilitation support to maximise a patient’s mobility
and independence following surgery. “This service not only benefits patients who are in hospital for a shorter time, but it also frees up beds for the Trust where there would otherwise be a shortage,” said Alison Swanton, clinical lead for therapy services. “It means that patients once recovered from their operation can receive their physiotherapy and occupational therapy at home and have the additional comfort of knowing that they can receive extra support at home for things such as making meals, getting dressed and negotiating stairs.” During the first three months of the pilot scheme 57 patients benefited from the service. The team aims to have saved the equivalent of 700 bed days when the pilot is completed. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
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Physio firm offers free advice By Lyndsey Smith
us face to face.
A PHYSIOTHERAPY company in West Yorkshire is aiming to help relieve the community’s aches and pains with free advice sessions.
“People can come for a ten or 15 minute consultation. People can be concerned and need a bit of advice. Some people may need treatment, others may just need to modify their technique, or stretch in a different way.
Medihealth, in Garforth, is made up of a team of experts that have previously worked for the NHS, Ministry of Defence and professional sports clubs, and they are hoping the sessions will go some way to providing health benefits for people in the area. Rebekka Hill, physiotherapist, said: “These sessions will raise the company’s profile whilst helping people along the way. “We want to get ourselves known and promote good physiotherapy practise and these evening sessions will be a good way of doing that.” The company have already trialled one session but Rebekka hopes to hold more. She said: “We need to really promote our practise this time around. “These sort of clinics don’t happen very often so we were unsure of our target audience. This time we will contact sports clubs direct and advertise more, offering people the opportunity to come and chat with
“We want to make the session informal so people feel more comfortable. Some people may not be sure if their symptoms require physio so they are uncomfortable paying out of their own pockets as they assume it's going to cost the earth but it doesn't.” Rebekka will be one of three physios on hand to help and she says if the demand is there they will be only too happy to hold the clinic at least every couple of months and they are looking at helping the local sporting community as well as the general public. “If people want us, we will be there,” she said. “You find if people deal with their symptoms early you can prevent injury and enhance sports performance. "We are based at the leisure centre so come into contact with a mix of sports people. One of the things we realised is that many people pick up
Physiotherapist Rebekka Hill
injuries early on in the football and rugby seasons which could put them out for the entire season. “At the end of the day, an untreated injury can cause long term damage. It could put an end to a blossoming sports career if people don't take proper care of themselves. I have
A British cyclist has ridden to two Paralympic gold medals using a prosthetic limb provided by Ossur. Jody Cundy was victorious in the LC2 1km time trial and the team sprint just two years after taking up the sport. A former swimmer, he won three gold medals in Atlanta and Sydney before switching sports. His foot was amputated at the age of three after a severe foot deformity. “My original leg was always coming off
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seen it happen and it is such a waste." The clinics are open to anyone, including non sports players, who have any questions and the Medihealth team will be around to offer advice and consultations.
when I was doing sprints,” he said. “So I had a prototype made which had no foot but went straight into a cleat at the bottom, and that really worked and was successful, but I broke it in testing.” This led to British Cycling approaching Ossur to produce a leg which would be lightweight and aerodynamically efficient. “I can really feel the difference between this leg and the last one,” he added. “When I accelerate, there is less weight to get moving, probably half that of the last one.”
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£48k boost for sport project for amputees By Dominic Musgrave
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MORE than £48,000 has been awarded to a project which will help leg amputees get active in sport. The SPEEAD project (Sporting Prosthetics for Everyday and Elite Athletes with a Disability) will deliver a sporting prosthetics conference, master classes and new postgraduate learning modules with the aim of improving the skills of rehabilitation and sporting professionals in the UK. The project also aims to build the level and nature of expertise and research capacity in the wider disability sports community.
Organisers bring in PR specialists NAIDEX organisers Emap Public Sector has appointed industry specialists CAS Marketing Communications to manage the public relations campaign for the 2009 exhibition. The event for healthcare professionals, trade representatives and consumers will again be the first of the year to showcase the latest in product innovations enhanced by an extensive educational programme. Naidex event manager Liz Virgo said: “The 2008 show was one of the most popular to date and we are looking for even more success in 2009. CAS was chosen to handle the Naidex PR campaign due to its 15 year proven track record, its specialist knowledge of the disabled industry and the comprehensive programme it has promised to deliver.” CAS public relations account manager Andrew Gubbins added: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Emap to help promote such a prestigious event as Naidex.”
New curved stairlift PLATINUM Stairlifts has created a new curved stairlift which it hopes will eliminate many of the problems experienced in other curved stairlift systems such as poor reliability and smoothness of ride. The Curve is the result of 10 years’ development and is built at the company’s purpose-built factory at Crosshills Business Park near Skipton. Its streamline design minimises space taken up in the home, making it one of the slimmest curved stairlifts on the market Platinum’s managing director Tim Frear said: “The investment in The Curve will open up new markets for us, giving consumers a real choice for curved stairlifts with outstanding reliability to match. “ 20
The steering group for the project includes experts from academia, prosthetic and orthotic companies and a charity involved in disability sports. Project manager Sarah Deans from the National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics, University of Strathclyde, believes that the expertise within the steering group will help to ensure that the sporting prosthetics training events and modules will be “state of the art” with content relevant for professionals working in prosthetics companies, the NHS and in sports. "When considering our departmental research strategy, we
realised the growing importance of accessibility and participation in sports for those people with lower limb amputation,” she said. “Building on the recent success of the Paralympic team GB in Beijing and in preparation for the Olympics in London in 2012 and Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 there is a strong focus on empowering and enabling the athletically inclined to become involved in competitive sport.
prosthetics’ visibility, facilitate knowledge transfer and ultimately allow those with amputation to reach their athletic potential.”
“The SPEEAD project's emphasis is on people's sporting ability overcoming their disability. This crucial funding investment will assist in creating a professional network to increase sporting
The money was awarded by the University of Strathclyde Collaborative Training Account which is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Sarah will be also be conducting PhD research examining the profile of disability sports in the United Kingdom and will be supervising a fresh-minded, industry-based masters research associate who will be investigating the usefulness of high performance prosthetic feet.
Friend inspires Robert to create accessory THE world’s first commercially available lever-drive propulsion accessory for manual wheelchairs has been launched by NuDrive. The new system from Pure Global Ltd was designed by 25-year-old Robert Orford and aims to improve posture and reduce shoulder degradation and injury as well as the force needed to self-propel by up to 40 per cent. The idea for the new system came when Robert was volunteering at a disability charity for young people as a teenager. He developed a basic concept for his A-Level design project and went on to win the Audi young designer of the year award in 2002. He also received a grant from Audi to begin the process of developing the idea into a commercial solution. “What encouraged me to take the idea from being an A-Level project into a commercial reality was seeing the impact it had on my friend Emily Steward,” he said. “Emily has Spina Bifida and the early prototype of NuDrive gave her so much more independence, I felt compelled to devote myself to bringing the idea to market.” NuDrive can be used by continuous or occasional wheelchair users and is easily attachable to most manual wheelchairs with 24” metal spoked wheels. It also has an adjustable drive arm length. It has been developed for Pure Global by product developers London Associates, in association with the Aspire Centre for Disability Sciences at the Royal National
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Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore. A number of wheelchair users were consulted throughout its development.
Robert Orford with Peter Kemp, CEO of the National Forum of Wheelchair Users Groups
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‘Equipment used to enable this liberating posture must match’ By Ruth Everard TO call many of the mobility aids available on the modern market "wheelchairs" seems inadequate. We have come a long way in the tools a disabled person can use to supplement their mobility. The human body, and the world it is expected to function in, encompasses all three dimensions and the basic truth is that everyday life can involve a lot of standing up. If you do not use a wheelchair, think about how many times you have moved in an upright position already today: you stood at the kettle while it boiled, stood at the front door to lock it, stood at the shop counter ... There are many social and practical benefits to standing: you can reach further because your knees are not in the way; a hug or handshake is less awkward; and while we hate to acknowledge that conformity helps in a social setting, people who are not familiar with disability are put at their ease instinctively because meeting a person in a standing position is familiar to them. There are health benefits to standing too: The respiratory and digestive systems function better when they are aided by gravity and
not compressed in a sitting position. Bone growth is augmented by pressure and flex within the joints. Muscles and joints can be exercised through standing, allowing additional fitness and retention of skills and abilities.
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But it is not as simple as propping a person up into an upright position. By definition, a person who cannot stand and walk will have musculo-skeletal difficulties in supporting themselves in that position – if they didn't, they would already be standing up. The equipment used to enable this liberating posture must match, complement and mirror at every point of weakness or vulnerability and provide effective postural support, while promoting the freedom and function available within the individual's body. It is important to consider the stresses being put upon the body and ensure that the system or structure avoids repetitive strain on joints that are not capable of a particular position or movement. Support in the right places can enable a new experience and ability which will continue to benefit a "wheelchair-user" long into the future.
Crossing the car park Photograph: www.dragonmobility.com
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Midlands Len gets back to the buzz of business move for Kidz exhibitions organisers THE team behind the annual Kidz South and North exhibitions are hosting their first event for the Midlands. Disabled Living’s Kidz in the Middle will take place at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on March 12 and will offer people from the surrounding area an opportunity to attend the events without the inconvenience of traveling too far. It will allow both public and professionals to try the latest equipment and products solutions and talk to the specialist who supply them. Admin manager Carmel Hourigan said: “There will be a full and varied programme of talks and discussions covering topics such as legal and education issues, new therapies, communication and ICT. “Many voluntary organisations are also on hand with information on support, funding, holidays, publications and so on.” The free events were established eight years ago with an annual exhibition at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton. This year’s Kidz Up North takes place on November 20 at the venue and once again will feature a visit from Father Christmas plus other surprises. Several Bolton Wanderers players and the club’s mascot Lofty the Lion attended last year’s exhibition and took part in a penalty shootout In 2007 Disabled Living held their first Kidz South exhibition at the Rivermead Leisure Complex in Reading, to provide people in the south of England with their own dedicated event.
A NEW orthopaedic bracing company has been set up by the former owner of Medistox Limited. Len Lloyd has returned to the industry following a two-year absence to create Beagle Orthopaedic Limited after admitting that he missed “the buzz of the business”. He said: “In a climate where more and more products are being lost to far east manufacture I began to think that it would be an interesting challenge to put together a highquality manufacturing, sales and marketing operation, once again based in Blackburn, and use the
local skills so appreciated by those who work in orthotics and orthopaedic bracing.” Len has recruited the experienced John Cox as his national sales manager. Having started his career in the medical branch of the Royal Navy, he moved into orthopaedic sales, where he has spent the last 20 years working with Tyco, Medistox and Ossur before joining Beagle Orthopaedic. “One of our objectives within our first year is to promote our high quality orthopaedic soft goods range, the work of our Blackburn specialist manufacturing team,”
added Len. “Beagle will also be acting on behalf of some new suppliers, whose product ranges are both interestingly innovative and different, enabling us to present our customers with some new and exciting alternatives to the ‘me too’ ranges currently on offer elsewhere.” The company is also authorised UK distributors for Aspen Medical Products range of cervical collars and bracing. To find out more contact the customer service department on 01254 268 788. The inaugural No Limits independent living exhibition at the ExCel Arena attracted more than 3,500 visitors over two days. Seminars included occupational therapist Marie Crawford and Nicola Hammond, manual handling advisor and trainer on ‘Turning and transferring solutions’ and Independent Living Alternatives director Tracey Jannaway on ‘User chooser, reality or myth?’ The event also saw demonstrations for disabled people of ballroom dancing, basketball, dodgeball and football as well as an extensive exhibition.
Fundraisers Keith Hill and Andy Skinner present the prosthetic limb to physiotherapist Wendy Leonard, charitable funds accountant for ULHT Adrian Graves and physiotherapist Norman Kinnell.
Packed agenda PROFESSOR Craig Allingham was one of the keynote speakers at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s annual congress at Manchester. Craig, an assistant professor at the Bond University, has worked with four Australian Olympic teams and is the former national president of Sports Physiotherapy Australia. Also speaking was professor Patrick Doherty, chair of rehabilitation and research at York St John University, professor Anne Shumway-Cook from the division of physical therapy at the University of Washington and Dr George Peat, research fellow at the primary care sciences research centre at Keele University. The event showcased the latest best practice, research, educational and professional developments in physiotherapy. The programme also featured a packed agenda of lectures, workshops and debates as well as several social events. 22
Conference speakers named AUTHOR and mountaineer Jamie Andrew and podiatric surgeon Frank Webb are just two of the speakers at the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists’ annual conference. American diabetes specialist Dr Robert Frykberg and Australian paediatric specialist podiatrist Dr Angela Evans are also due to address the audience. The organisers of the event, which takes place at the Bournemouth International Conference Centre from October 23-25, are hoping to build on the success of last year’s, which attracted more than 1,200 delegates and 80 exhibitors.
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Keith’s boost for hospital A GRATEFUL patient has raised more than £3,000 to help others like him at a Lincolnshire hospital. Keith Hill from Lincoln has raised the money for the physiotherapy department at Lincoln County Hospital to thank staff for their kindness after he was treated there. The money has been used to buy a new prosthetic leg to be used for training, which was much needed to help patients. It was raised at a number of fundraising events planned by Keith and his friend Andy Skinner, including balls and auctions, as well as Keith running the Lincoln 10k race. “We are very grateful to Keith
and Andy for their efforts in raising the money to buy this training prosthesis,” said physiotherapist Wendy Leonard. “It is a piece of equipment that was previously unavailable at Lincoln County, apart from when one was on loan from Nottingham. “It will be used to either rehabilitate patients who have had an amputation above the knee and prepare them for wearing a prosthesis or to see if they are suitable to wear a prosthetic limb.” The pair have also recently been selected to represent Great Britain in the sitting volleyball team for the 2012 Olympics in London.
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