INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE
ISSUE 89 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013 £6.95
Researchers to ‘rewire’ stroke patients’ brains By Dominic Musgrave SCIENTISTS at the University of Glasgow are hoping to help people who have had a stroke overcome their physical disabilities by stimulating their brains to ‘rewire’ themselves. Doctors and scientists from the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences are to carry out the world’s first in-human trial of vagus nerve stimulation in stroke patients. Lead researcher Dr Jesse Dawson, a stroke specialist and clinical senior lecturer in medicine, said: “When the brain is damaged by stroke, important neural connections that control different parts of the body can be damaged which impairs function. “Evidence from animal studies suggests that vagus nerve stimulation could cause the release of neurotransmitters which help facilitate neural plasticity and help people relearn how to use their arms after stroke; particularly if stimulation is paired with specific tasks. A slightly different type of vagus nerve stimulation is already successfully used to manage conditions such as depression and epilepsy.” The study, which will be carried out at the
Western Infirmary in Glasgow, will recruit 20 patients who suffered a stroke around six months ago and who have been left with poor arm function as a result. Each participant will receive three one-hour sessions of intensive physiotherapy each week for six weeks to help improve their arm function. Half of the group will also receive an implanted Vivistim device, a vagus nerve stimulator, which connects to the vagus nerve in the neck. When they are receiving physiotherapy to help improve their arm, the device will stimulate the nerve. It is hoped that this will stimulate release of the brain’s own chemicals, called neurotransmitters, that will help the brain form new neural connections which might improve the patient's ability to use their arm. Jesse added: “This study is designed to provide evidence to support whether this is the case after stroke but our primary aim is to assess feasibility of vagus nerve stimulation after stroke. It remains to be seen how much we can improve function, but if we can help people perform even small actions again, like being able to hold a cup of tea, it would greatly improve their quality of life.”
A four-year-old boy aims to follow in the footsteps of his hero, Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock, after being fitted with an Ossur running blade by Dorset Orthopaedic. Rio Woolf, who was born without a tibia, knee or ankle joint, was fitted with a lightweight carbon-fibre blade decorated with his favourite character Fireman Sam. Full story page 4.
Ossur celebrates successful year with special lunch ÖSSUR UK paid tribute to those involved in making 2012 a unique year for sport with a celebratory lunch at The Lowry Theatre, Salford.
Dominic Musgrave Healthcare Editor Email: dm@scriptmedia.co.uk Tel: 01226 734407 Christina Eccles Reporter Email: ce@scriptmedia.co.uk Tel: 01226 734463 Sales
Members of the Össur team, including clinical and R&D staff, joined Paralympians Richard Whitehead, Jody Cundy, Scott Moorhouse and Stefanie Reid at the event.
Christine Daly-Sadler
Össur clinical specialist Richard Hirons said: “This was a chance for us to acknowledge and thank all those we have worked with in supporting these athletes who made
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Other guests included coaching staff from UKAthletics and British Cycling. Össur partners and customers from ProActive Prosthetics, PACE Rehabilitation, OPCare and the Universities of Strathclyde and Salford were also present to engage in the relaxed occasion and make future plans for next season.
These now hang in the reception area of the Össur office.
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Editorial Judith Halkerston Group Editor editorial@assistivetechnologies.co.uk
By Dominic Musgrave
The athletes signed photographs capturing some of their great moments.
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Paralympics bronze model cyclist Jody Cundy signs his photograph.
some of the greatest sporting moments of 2012.
most of the conversation focussing on the future and what’s next.
“Having everyone here today has been a great and unique opportunity to meet at every level of the operation.
“It’s been a real privilege to work with these guys and girls and we should acknowledge the positive impact they have made for our profession, not only in disability sport, but life in general, motivating and inspiring so many people.”
“You can sense and feel the competitive spirit in the room with
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.
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New leg is ‘perfect gift’ for Rio NEWS
A FOUR-year-old boy who was born without a tibia, knee or ankle joint has been given what his mother describes as the perfect gift – the ability to run. Rio Woolf had his lower right leg amputated at 14 months. Three years on, like many little boys, he dreams of following in the footsteps of his sporting idol, Jonnie Peacock. The sprinter ran into the record books, winning a gold medal in the T44 100m at the 2012 Paralympic Games. Now the British hero has improved Rio’s chances of following in his footsteps. Rio first met the gold medalist at a filming promo for Limb Power’s Sport Fest – an open weekend event set up by the British Paralympic Association to encourage disabled youngsters to take up sport. Touched by the youngster’s enthusiasm for the Summer Paralympics, the blade runner put Rio’s parents in contact with Dorset Orthopaedic. This prompted Bob Watts, managing director at the clinic to set about securing sponsorship for an Össur running blade. In fact, he decided to donate the prosthetic socket himself. Juliette Woolf, Rio’s mum, said “London 2012 transformed Rio's life
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– from being downhearted about not being able to run as fast as his friends earlier in the year, he was then inspired and motivated watching “people with special legs running”. “We took Rio along to the Paralympic Primary Games for children and he loved participating, even with his NHS leg. He showed he loved to run. The only problem was that his old NHS leg was very heavy. Despite this he was running quite fast, he had the speed but not the right equipment.” Rio was fitted with a lightweight carbon-fibre blade decorated with his favourite character Fireman Sam. Bob said: “The blade and socket we have had made for Rio is 150g lighter than the NHS prosthetic legs. The blade is made out of carbon fibre which is very light, springs back into shape, and 95 per cent of energy you put into it will come back during running.” Rio plans to attend Limb Power’s Learn to Run Clinic in Chelmsford on March 9th. Hayley Ginn, Jonnie Peacock’s former coach, has taken a keen interest in Rio and will be helping him learn to use his blade in the best way to get the most out of it.
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Rio with his new leg, mum Juliette and dad Trevor. Photo credit: Peter Willows/BNPS.
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Latest gaming technology to help patients
Naidex Scotland takes place at the SECC Glasgow in September.
Naidex South returns next year NAIDEX South will return next year, its organisers have confirmed. Fiona Davies, event director for Naidex, said: “Naidex South will not take place in 2013, but will return again in the autumn of 2014. “This reflects our Naidex Scotland schedule, which next takes place on September 18 and 19 at SECC Glasgow. This will allow us to run these two events on alternate years,
giving us more time to ensure each event is the best it can be. Naidex South will continue serving the southern visitors to the show, which has proved popular with health care professionals and end users. We will also be working harder to encourage the southern audience to visit the main national event.” Naidex National takes place at NEC Birmingham from April 30 to May 2.
COT representatives attend launch of sickness report THE Government has issued its response to ‘Health at work: an independent review of sickness absence’. Representatives from the College of Occupational Therapists attended the launch of the report to hear the government’s response to the review’s recommendations, and how they fit into a broader strategy to support the health and wellbeing of the working age population. Julia Skelton, COT director of professional operations, said: “We broadly welcome this report but there is much more to do to implement these recommendations. We will be seeking to meet with the Department of Work and Pensions to discuss this further.” As part of its response, the government announced a new health and work assessment and advisory services in 2014. The new service will include an 6
independent holistic assessment of an individual’s occupational health needs. It will also ensure individuals receive appropriate interventions, case management for those employees with complex needs and follow up advice. The assessment is expected to be carried out by a range of health care professionals including occupational therapists and physiotherapists. The government will also be revising fit note guidance to ensure the fit note refers to someone’s fitness for work in general and is not specific to their current job.
NOTTINGHAM Trent University is to investigate how the Microsoft 'Kinect' can assist with the rehabilitation of facial paralysis caused by a stroke after being awarded a £347,000 grant to build a prototype system.
Firstly by the patient themselves getting real-time feedback on position and magnitude of asymmetries on the face, along with their changes over time, thus showing where to concentrate their efforts.
The system will automatically detect and track asymmetries on either side of a patient’s face – such as mouth corner, eyelids and cheeks – while they complete their routine facial exercises. This information will be shown on a TV or computer screen to give immediate feedback to the user.
“Secondly, the therapist will get to see data produced whenever the patient exercises. This increased data should help improve diagnosis and planned recovery.
Dr Philip Breedon, reader in smart technologies at Nottingham Trent University’s school of architecture, design and the built environment and lead academic on the project, said: “This tool will recognise the differences between an undesirable one-sided unilateral movement and a desired symmetrical movement, across both sides of the face. This information would then be conveyed via the TV using an animated representation, or avatar, of the patient. “Using an avatar as both a visual and oral communicator, the system will take the patient through a series of exercises and indicate the degree of success. It is hoped that the information will also be sent electronically to a clinician to allow them to track the patient’s progress.” The traditional method currently used sees patients provided with a series of exercises on printed paper, so they are unable to assess on a daily basis whether they are making improvements or performing the correct movements. Philip added: “It is hoped that improved rehabilitation will be achieved through two methods.
The project, which is in partnership with the University of Nottingham, Nottingham University Hospital, Nottingham City Care Partnership and Maddison Product Design, has been funded by an esteemed National Institute for Health Research Invention for Innovation (NIHR i4i) grant. Due to commence in April for 18 months, the research group is aiming to create a prototype that can eventually be mass produced. The device will consist of an interface box which runs the software and is linked to the Windows Microsoft 'Kinect' and the patient’s TV or PC monitor. Philip added: “The daily recommendation of stroke rehabilitation for facial paralysis is 45 minutes. We're hoping that this technology will not only help to reduce the burden on the NHS but more importantly improve the quality of life of stroke survivors, providing them with encouragement and recognising the accomplishments during their recovery.”
Surgeon Benjamin joins team BENJAMIN Burston has joined the arthroplasty (hip and knee replacement) unit at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon.
Julia added: “The new health and work assessment and advisory service is of particular interest and will provide significant opportunities for occupational therapists.
His basic surgical training was in Oxford, after which he had a year’s training in New Zealand and then undertook his specialist orthopaedic training in Bristol.
“The new AHP Advisory Fitness to Work Report will be an important tool for use within these services.”
Following completion of his specialist training, he underwent
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“It is crucial that a non-technical person should be able to use the system without difficulty, so much emphasis will be placed on designing an intuitive and user friendly experience.”
hip and knee primary and revision arthroplasty and tumour fellowships in Perth, Australia with professors David Wood and Piers Yates respectively, followed by a twomonth AO fellowship in New York with Dr David Helfet at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Benjamin said: “I was attracted to work at Oswestry’s orthopaedic hospital because of its phenomenal reputation both from a training perspective and as a specialist centre of excellence.
Physio Andrew’s ambitions are out of this world NEWS
By Dominic Musgrave SHEFFIELD Hallam University master's student Andrew Winnard is exploring the final frontiers of physiotherapy – by carving out a space career. Spotting a way to combine his training as a physiotherapist, with his life-long interest in space flight, Andrew completed an internship with the exercise team at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. During his internship, which he was able to write up as a work-based learning module towards his physiotherapy master's, Andrew worked on a project looking at ways to assess changes in astronaut walking patterns caused by long duration space missions. After many months spent floating in zero gravity, astronauts often suffer postural muscle and bone weakness, both of which require extensive physiotherapy to correct. Andrew worked closely with international medical teams who prepare astronauts for, and
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rehabilitate from, space missions to the International Space Station. He said: “I have always been interested in space flight and when choosing to study physiotherapy I was advised to try and combine my hobbies and interests with my career. “It's taken hard work, determination and lots of support from the University's physiotherapy department to pursue opportunities but I'm proof that if you have a passion you can achieve it. “Student organisations like the UK Space Biomedical Association, which works to increase UK research into space biomedicine, have also been invaluable for making contacts with others working in the field. "With hard work it is possible to make a real difference to the world and I look forward to continuing to contribute towards exploration of the next.” Now that he is back in Sheffield, Andrew is part of a research team developing an exercise device that may one day be used in the rehabilitation of European astronauts.
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Andrew Winnard at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne.
This research will form his master's dissertation and Andrew has already begun thinking about completing a PhD to enable him to contribute further to space medical research. He has also been invited to represent the European Space Agency on a panel presenting his astronaut gait project to the Aerospace Medicine
Associations Conference in Chicago, USA. Andrew, 27, who is originally from Chesterfield, has studied multiple degrees at Sheffield Hallam, completing undergraduate degrees in biomedical science and physiotherapy before beginning his master's degree in applying physiotherapy.
Paralysed woman commands robotic arm in ground-breaking project UNRIVALLED control of a robotic arm has been achieved using a paralysed woman's thoughts, a US study has claimed. Jan Scheuermann, who is 53 and paralysed from the neck down, was able to deftly grasp and move a variety of objects just like a normal arm. Brain implants were used to control the robotic arm, in the study reported in the Lancet medical journal. Jan was diagnosed with spinocerebellar degeneration 13 years ago and progressively lost control of her body. She is now unable to move her arms or legs. She was implanted with two sensors – each four millimetres by four millimetres – in the motor cortex of her brain. A hundred tiny needles on each sensor pick up the electrical activity from about 200 individual brain cells. “The way that neurons communicate
with each other is by how fast they fire pulses, it's a little bit akin to listening to a Geiger counter click, and it's that property that we lock onto,” said professor Andrew Schwartz from the University of Pittsburgh.
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By Dominic Musgrave
The pulses of electricity in the brain are then translated into commands to move the arm, which bends at the elbow, wrist and could grab an object. Jan was able to control the arm after the second day of training and over a period of 14 weeks became increasing skilful. The report said she gained “coordination, skill and speed almost similar to that of an able-bodied person” by the end of the study. Andrew added: “The movements are fluid and they're way better, I don't know how to say it any other way, they're way better than anything that's been demonstrated before. “I think it really is convincing evidence that this technology is going
Jan Scheuermann feeds herself a bar of chocolate using the new robotic arm.
to be therapeutic for spinal cord injured people. “They are doing tasks already that would be beneficial in their daily lives and I think that's fairly conclusive at this point.”
Researchers are now trying to mount the arm on Jan's wheelchair so she will be able to use it in her everyday life. There are also attempts to give sensation to the prosthetic arms to restore a sense of touch.
If you’ve got a story for Assistive Technologies magazine email dm@scriptmedia.co.uk
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A group of predominantly injured soldiers who formed a rally team to raise funds for forces’ charities have made history by becoming the first ever disability team to complete the world’s toughest race – the Dakar Rally. Dominic Musgrave reports.
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Soldiers make history as they finish world’s toughest race THE Race2Recovery team’s Land Rover Defender-based Wildcat race vehicle and its crew, of driver Major Matt O’Hare and co-driver Corporal Phillip Gillespie, crossed the finish line of the final stage in Santiago, Chile, to signal the end of two weeks of racing that saw the team’s other three Wildcat vehicles fall out of the race at various stages along the way.
Corporal Phillip Gillespie and Major Matt OHare of Race2Recovery with their vehicle.
The team, made up of mainly British servicemen along with two US Marines – many of them amputees following injuries in Afghanistan – set out with four Land Rover-based Wildcat vehicles, but only Matt and Phillip reached the finish. Matt and Phillip, who were congratulated for their achievements with a personal message by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, praised their teammates, including the mechanics and support team. Matt, originally from Hereford and currently based in Earlsfield, London, said: “It’s not quite sinking in that we’ve actually done it. I’m ecstatic and am so proud and pleased for the whole Race2Recovery team.
achievement to a whole other level.” Phillip, from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, who is a leg amputee as a result of injuries sustained in Afghanistan, said: “We have found out first-hand why they call the Dakar Rally the hardest race in the world. It has pushed every single one of us to our limits and beyond. “To be able to stand at the finish line and say we achieved what we set out to achieve, to become the first ever disability team to complete the Dakar Rally, feels magical. “Our team motto is ‘beyond injury – achieving the extraordinary’ and we’ve done just that. I hope that we’ve been able to inspire people who may be facing difficulties through injury or illness.” The team was joined in South America by Gaucho Productions, who were capturing all the drama and adventure for a forthcoming documentary series – to be screened on TV soon.
“Our mechanics and support team have kept us in the race and their work and dedication was second to none. Our other drivers and codrivers who were forced to retire earlier in the race became an integral part of the support team as we continued the challenge and so this really is a team success.
Race2Recovery has been raising money for Tedworth House Personnel Recovery Centre, one of six Personnel Recovery Centres that have been established as part of the Defence Recovery Capability – an MOD-led initiative in partnership with Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion to ensure wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women have access to the key resources they need as they recover.
“To complete the Dakar Rally is an incredible achievement in itself, but to become the first ever disability team to cross that finish line lifts the
Donations to the Race2Recovery fundraising campaign for Tedworth House Personnel Recovery Centre can be made at www.race2recovery.com
The Race2Recovery Land Rover Defender-based Wildcat race vehicle in action.
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Roadshow organisers launch site
THE team behind the Mobility Roadshow has launched a new website to make it easier to keep up to date with news as plans for this year’s 30th event unfold.
By Dominic Musgrave
“We’ve streamlined our website navigation, with many more options available at just one click from the home page,” said Jacqui Jones, chief executive of Mobility Choice, the charity that organises the annual event. “This enables faster direct access to all Roadshow news, including from exhibitors, as well as information to help people to plan in advance to optimise their experience on the day.
The Livingston-based firm said its revenues grew by 17 per cent in 2012 after expanding its product lines.
“New features will be added, such as a forthcoming Ambassador section and the new Roadshow Memories feature where visitors will be sharing their highlights and memories from the past 30 years – and we have already heard from people who not only attended in 1983, but every year since.”
Touch Bionics chief executive Ian Stevens said: “We are pleased with our performance in 2012 and are looking forward to continuing our growth in 2013, when we plan to announce further exciting product developments.
The Mobility Roadshow takes place at the Telford International Centre on June 27, 28 and 29.
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Touch Bionics’ turnover tops £10m for first time PROSTHETIC limb specialist Touch Bionics has achieved £10m in annual sales for the first time.
They included the launch of its “ilimb ultra” prosthetic hand and an upgrade to its digits solution for people with missing fingers. The results were released in the same week as Touch opened a new production facility in Newburgh, New York.
“The addition of new manufacturing facilities and expansion of our training capabilities mean that we are ideally positioned to reach new levels in the year ahead.”
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The launch of the i-limb ultra has helped Touch Bionics achieve £10m in annual sales for the first time.
The company's facility in New York will be used as its primary base for the production of livingskin, a range of silicone prostheses. Its new centre will support Touch Bionics' existing livingskin operations on Broadway, more than doubling the size of the company's overall workspace in Newburgh. Ian added: “As global demand for our livingskin prostheses has been increasing, we needed to ensure that
our production capacity is able to scale to meet that demand. “This new facility will increase our production capacity significantly, while also ensuring that we retain our existing team of livingskin experts in Newburgh.” Touch, which is a spin-out from the UK's National Health Service, is funded and supported by Archangel Informal Investment and Scottish Enterprise.
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Christopher is fitted with UK’s first ‘bionic’ Michelangelo Hand A DEVON man has become the first person in the UK to be fitted with the pioneering Michelangelo® Hand. Christopher Taylor, 58, of Ivybridge in Devon, has been testing his new prosthetic over the past few months and received his final fitting from Dorset Orthopaedic’s consultant prosthetist and director of clinical services, David Hills. Christopher lost his right hand in a jet-ski accident in August 2009. On YouTube, he watched development of the Michelangelo Hand, created by prosthetic and orthotic innovators Ottobock, and chose it because it offers never-before-seen complex gripping kinematics, positioned using muscle signals. As a self-employed lifting equipment engineer, Christopher regularly climbs ladders and works atop industrial buildings and cranes. The unique four movable fingers and a thumb that can be independently positioned using muscle signals, will allow him to continue working safely. During the trials, Christopher quickly and easily mastered control of the prosthetic hand by using natural
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muscle movement and contraction in the remaining part of his arm. “The more I use it the better I get at controlling it,” he added. “The fingers move in line like a natural hand and I particularly like the way I can very quickly change the type of grip needed for a variety of everyday tasks, as easily as moving my remaining good hand.” Dorset Orthopaedic used its expertise to add to the comfort of the hand by introducing a unique silicone ‘comfort fit’ technology. David said: “Traditionally upper limb sockets are made from rigid materials such as glass fibre. We have however developed 100 per cent silicone sockets, which are proving to be much more comfortable due to their flexibility especially around bony areas such as the elbow.” The Michelangelo Hand uses advanced software that increases the responsiveness and predictability of the hand, making it much easier to operate. The fingers are made of both hard and soft materials mirroring bones, joints, muscles and tendons.
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The new Michelangelo® Hand in action.
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Princess Royal unveils a plaque to open the Occupational Performance Room before meeting Jim Taylor, an occupational therapy service user and visiting lecturer.
Royal visit marks 75 years of education HER Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh to mark 75 years of occupational therapy education in Scotland. The event celebrated the contribution made by occupational therapists to service users and clients, communities, organisations and society.
postgraduate occupational therapy students. Graduates and staff who have made a significant contribution to the profession and to the development of occupational therapy locally, nationally and internationally also took part.
The Princess Royal has been patron of the College of Occupational Therapists since 1987, and the celebratory event was jointly hosted by the UK’s professional body and Queen Margaret University.
The Princess Royal also officially opened the Occupational Performance Room, which is a simulated space for students to practice the skills of active daily living, before meeting University researchers who showcased some of their innovative developments and demonstrated their impact on services.
During her visit she met the University’s undergraduate and
Linda Renton, professional lead in occupational therapy at Queen
Margaret University, said: “Occupational therapists have been educated in Edinburgh since 1937 and, since then Scotland has been at the forefront of the profession’s education and practice. “We shared information about the history of occupational therapy in Scotland, paying tribute to the pioneering women responsible for the profession’s development, and celebrated their legacy of education. “We were also delighted that our current students and researchers had the opportunity to share some of their learning techniques, practice methods and cutting edge research outcomes with the Princess Royal.”
The event also saw professor Emeritus Averil Stewart, the first professor of occupational therapy in the UK and former head of occupational therapy at Queen Margaret University, present the first inaugural Professor Stewart International Award to QMU occupational therapy graduate Rocco Angarolo. A range of Scottish educationalists, MSPs and local policy makers and influencers, university and college representatives, partners and supporters, and students, staff and graduates joined the Princess Royal at the celebration. A reception, involving 250 people, concluded the visit.
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Paralympics ‘changed people’s opinion of disability and disabled sport’ THE London 2012 Paralympic Games led to greater confidence and less anxiety in talking about disability and disabled sport, a Bournemouth University study has found. It was commissioned by 2012 Paralympic Games broadcasters Channel 4 and was completed by the Creative Enterprise Bureau, a marketing consultancy based at the University’s Media School which involves staff and students from the corporate and marketing communications academic group. They found that viewers were genuinely surprised by how emotive and thrilling the games were, and began to see sporting excellence rather than only the disability. Over the course of two years they conducted in-depth interviews with participants – based in London, Bournemouth and Newcastle – about their thoughts and experiences of disability and disabled sport. “The focus was on experiences and the stories that people had,” said Dr Dan Jackson, senior lecturer in media and communication, who helped coordinate the study. “We wanted to
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The Paralympics had a noticeable impact on the way disability was talked about; there was greater confidence and less anxiety in talking about disability sport.
speak to a whole cross-section of people, so the interviews included disabled people, people with direct experience of disability and disability sport, people with an interest in sport and TV watching, and people who had no interest at all. We were most interested in how this massive sporting event impacted on people's lives.” The participants were interviewed in four phases before and after the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and Dan said that, before the event, there did not seem to be much change in the way people were talking about disability and disabled sports. He added: “There were a lot of barriers – people didn't know how to talk about it. Many people did not have experiences of disability because it was very rarely on our screens. There was not a great deal of knowledge or interest in Paralympic sport. But there seemed to be a lot of good will towards it – people saying "It should be on TV, it's a worthwhile thing, but I won't really go out of my way to watch it.” However, after the London 2012 Paralympic Games, people's
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Genuine and palpable surprise at the emotional reactions generated by watching the Paralympics – viewers seemed genuinely surprised at just how emotive and thrilling they were. Dr Dan Jackson
perceptions and experiences of disability and disabled sport seemed to change. Dan added: “We couldn't find anyone who hadn't experienced any of the Paralympics – even if they hadn't watched it directly, it was second-hand through the news or other people. While the summer of sport, particularly the Olympics, was quite moving for the whole country, it had a huge impact and was the central focus all summer, and the Paralympics benefited from that. “But for some people it suffered, as it seemed to be considered an afterthought.” The study found:
A shift from expecting to see only the disability to primarily seeing sporting excellence. This was accompanied by a shift away from sympathy and pity to thrill and excitement associated with watching live sport A reduction in expressed sense of discomfort when watching people with disability on TV Disabled participants were acutely aware of the ‘buzz’ generated that made disability momentarily trendy and fashionable, and that a general sense of ‘admiration' appears to have displaced sympathy, pity or fear in how able-bodied people interact with disabled people. But they were sceptical of whether this would last long-term.
By Dominic Musgrave
great sportsmen.”
MANCHESTER City Football Club’s Academy’s head of sports medicine Grant Downie has been recognised in the Queen’s recent New Year’s Honours list.
Previous to his eight-year spell at Middlesbrough, Grant spent eight years as head physiotherapist at Glasgow Rangers, where he worked alongside managers Walter Smith and Dick Advocaat.
His OBE has been awarded for his services to physiotherapy in sport and to young people. Grant has a quarter of a century of experience working in professional football and joined Manchester City from Middlesbrough in September 2011. He said: “It’s very touching, very humbling – it’s one of those things you just don’t believe and takes time to process. “I knew nothing about it until I got an official letter through the post from the cabinet explaining that I was to be recognised on the Honours list. I was reading it, thinking, ‘is this real?’ “My philosophy has always been the same – that every patient is as important as the next – it’s not just about the big stars, it’s about developing great people as well as
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Grant recognised in New Year’s list He added: “The biggest thing I want to express is that I have met so many incredible people on this journey – so much of the work that I do as a physio is management of people – good people and good managers of people like Dick and Walter at Rangers have influenced me. “I made a career choice last year after working for 25 years in senior football that I wanted to work with young people and I saw the opportunity to come to City and work with 6-21-year olds, to help them develop both medically and as people. “It’s a tremendous privilege and a huge honour to be working at this club at this exciting stage in its history and I hope that my experience will help us along in our journey – but at the same time, I’m still here to learn like everyone else too.”
Footballer David Beckham and actor Ray Winstone met injured troops during a private visit to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham The pair spent around an-hour-and-a-half visiting military and civilian patients and their families on the mixed trauma ward before meeting a number of staff from the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine. David then went on to the Teenage Cancer Trust Young Persons Unit at the hospital, where he chatted with patients aged 16 – 24 years and the staff caring for them.
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Paraplegic Val Fisher, a 53 year-old mum-of-four from Shrewsbury, has ‘walked’ again after five years in a wheelchair, thanks to an exoskeleton mobility system. Dominic Musgrave reports.
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‘Bionic’ suit helps mum of four Val ‘walk’ again VAL was paralysed from the chest down after her horse slipped and fell on top of her in May 2007, leaving her with a broken neck. She spent 13 weeks at the Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries, and felt confident that she’d make a full recovery.
Val Fisher wearing the ReWalk system.
Val added:“Getting home from the hospital was a very big shock, as I’d started to regain some of my independence, and everything was on hand in the hospital in order for me to do that. “At home, I quickly found little things such as getting out of the car incredibly difficult, even with help from my family, along with getting dressed in the morning. “I began physio and took up swimming and wheelchair tennis, but I still struggled to accept that I couldn’t walk anymore and felt increasingly frustrated.” A major turning point came in the form of an exoskeleton mobility system, ReWalk, which Val saw advertised online. Val heard it was soon to be available in the UK and, after speaking to a friend who was the wedding dress designer for Claire Lomas, who ‘ReWalked’ the London Marathon last year, got in touch with Claire to find out more about it. Val added: “I heard about Claire’s training with the ReWalk, and it was exactly what I wanted to do. “After speaking to Claire, I got in touch with Cyclone Technologies’ MD, Dave Hawkins, in March 2012, and said that I wanted to try it out. I opted to do a week-long trial, and it was incredible. “The training requires a lot of concentration and focus, but I thought to myself ‘even if it kills me, I’ll master this’. I thought I would feel faint, as I have low blood pressure and kept passing out whenever I tried using a standing frame in the past, but the suit supported me completely. I can’t describe how amazing it was to stand outside on the grass for the first time in five
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“What I loved the most was that nobody in the bar realised I was wearing the suit, which was such a priceless feeling.” years and to challenge myself to do completely new things with the system, such as walking up steps, and walking across different surfaces like carpets, cobbled streets, gravel and up ramps. “I even got the chance to drive in the ReWalk after a demonstration, and I got out on my own and walked into the bar of a hotel. “What I loved the most was that nobody in the bar realised I was wearing the suit, which was such a priceless feeling.” Val hopes to one day see ReWalk systems in clinics around the country, to provide others going through similar circumstances with something to work towards and a way to remain active. She added: “Adapting to life in a wheelchair is incredibly difficult, and I think enabling people to use it as part of their rehabilitation and giving them something to work towards would be wonderful. “Above and beyond the emotional advantages of being on the same level as able-bodied people, ReWalk offers numerous health benefits such as an improved range of motion and circulation, along with increased health and fitness levels, which I believe would prove a real lifechanger for others in my situation.” ReWalk was invented by Israeli entrepreneur Dr Amit Goffer, who became a quadriplegic in 1998. It provides individuals with userinitiated mobility through the integration of a light wearable brace support, a computer-based control system and motion sensors.
Foundation stone laid ‘Pererro’ to start work at centre brings The second phase of Recovery Centre will house some of the facilities available at Headley Court. It marks the start of the second phase of construction of the Naval Service Recovery Centre at HMS Drake – which is being funded by a £21m commitment from Help for Heroes – being undertaken by Interserve. When it is completed it will offer serving and veteran members of all three services who have suffered lifechanging injuries or become sick whilst serving their country with state-of-the art rehabilitation facilities and adaptive accommodation to help them recover from injury or illness. The Naval Service Recovery Centre will consist of two facilities: Endeavour Centre – a purpose-built recovery complex offering state-ofthe-art rehabilitation equipment Parker VC – a specialist adaptive
accommodation facility with 60 cabins including six family rooms. The new Endeavour Centre will house specialist rehabilitation facilities including a 25 metre swimming pool with an adjustable floor, a 25m sprung floor gymnasium and fully adaptive cardio vascular equipment, a physiotherapy suite with purpose designed clinical treatment rooms, and a hydrotherapy pool. The facility will also house a revolutionary Support Hub which will give Servicemen, women and veterans access to specialist Service charities and agencies in a single location, ensuring that they are easily able to access the support they need. Bryn Parry, CEO and co-founder of Help for Heroes said: “It’s fantastic to see how much the Endeavour Centre and Parker VC have come on since we launched the project last year. “The Recovery Centre will provide those who have suffered lifechanging injuries as a result of their service with the very best support they need, for life. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone, from our fundraisers to the builders and architects who have all worked tirelessly to make this possible.”
gadgets to a new audience
NEWS
THE foundation stone of the new Endeavour Centre at HMS Drake, Plymouth, has been laid by the cofounders of Help for Heroes, Bryn and Emma Parry, and injured personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who will benefit from the facilities.
RSLSTEEPER has launched ‘Pererro’, a unique product that utilises Apple VoiceOver to bring iPod touch, iPhone and iPad to those who were previously unable to use or had difficulty with touchscreen technology.
environmental control devices.
The creators of Pererro believe this is a new and unique device to make iOS technology easily and readily available to this audience.
The adapter, which weighs just 6.9g, is controlled through a switch that is connected with a 3.5mm minijack plug.
Dave Howson, director of RSLSteeper’s assistive technology division, said: “Pererro is a simple, compact and light, plug and play adapter that powers directly from the iOS device, providing access to iOS on iPod touch, iPhone and iPad via Apple VoiceOver.
The iOS device can be charged without disconnecting, and works with almost any voiceover enabled ‘app’ available from the Apple App Store. As Pererro is connected directly there is no Bluetooth battery drain, which is common with other devices.
“It is designed to plug into the kind of switches that are widely available in the AT community and employed in many communication aids and
“This way, we have created an easy to use product that gives people the ability to connect with the world again. We know there is a huge demand for it and we’re very enthusiastic about the launch.”
RSLSteeper is accredited to ISO 9001 for Environmental Control System design and can offer advice on appropriate devices and systems for each customer.
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BAPO’S annual conference returns in 2013 after a break last year. The event will be held at Telford International Centre from March 2224, with a whole host of interesting speakers from around the world lined up. At Friday’s workshop, sponsored by Algeos, keynote speaker will be Australian Craig Payne, who will discuss ‘Issues in Diabetic Foot Orthoses’. Craig will return on the 23rd for the Sunday Orthotic Workshop with a presentation on ‘Clinical testing for foot orthotics prescription’. Lara Wessels, Judy Harker and Niki Tebbutt will also lead workshops that afternoon, while professor William Jeffcoate will be the lead speaker in the Orthotic Education and Training Trust when he looks at ‘Disease of the foot in diabetes: an explosion that hasn’t been noticed’. Friday’s reception will be sponsored by Allard UK.
The OETT technician training day features speakers representing leading companies such as North Sea Plastics, Beagle Orthopaedic, Talarmade, Delcam, DeNovo and Alegeos. Craig Payne will be the keynote speaker for Saturday’s orthotic programme when he provides an ‘Update of foot orthotics for athletes’. Dr Richard Jones and Louw Van Niekerk will discuss the ‘Use of biomechanical realignment strategies in the management on medial knee osteoarthritis’, with Andy Hayes bringing Saturday’s events to a close as he explains how Berkley Bionics’ Exoskeleton works. Saturday’s prosthetic programme includes various sessions featuring Arjan Buis, Johan Snyders, Toby Carlsson and Andy Bache. Saturday’s evening of big band swing entertainment will be sponsored by Trulife. Once again it will feature the prize giving ceremony.
Sport knee joint launched OTTOBOCK has launched the new 3S80 sport knee joint, which was developed especially for ambitious recreational athletes. Whether jogging or sprinting, the new lightweight sport prosthesis – in combination with the 1E90 Sprinter carbon spring foot – is perfect for running sports and is approved for a body weight of up to 100 kg. The manually operated locking22 function of the new sport knee joint gives the user a secure stance which is especially helpful for warming up and stretching exercises. Due to the high demands on such sport prosthesis, the 3S80 is sturdy, yet also lightweight and compact.
NEWS
BAPO returns for 2013 with a new venue and look
Meet ex-Paralympian John McFall at our Bapo stand 33/34 on March 23 where he will discuss the benefits and provide a demonstration of the new sports prosthesis attributes.
New products to be unveiled PROMEDICS has been appointed as the official UK distributor for the BREG range of products, and BAPO 2013 will be the venue for the official launch of this new and exciting partnership BREG is a global leader in orthopaedic bracing and sports medicine products, and Promedics is delighted to add this dynamic range of products to their already popular bracing and supports range. At stands 64 and 65 orthotists will have the opportunity to review and discuss the complete range of BREG
products, and there will also be the chance to see some new and exciting ones for the first time. Promedics is working closely with BREG to promote its product range in the UK and are excited to be providing their customers with an ongoing stream of new products from the R&D team. These include the Freestyle OA Knee Brace, Ultra High-5 Ankle Brace, Ultra Zoom Ankle, Slingshot 3 Shoulder, with other new products to be announced at BAPO. All BREG products will be available for same day shipping and next day delivery.
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Reed Medical launches new diabetic footwear range NEWS
REED Medical has launched its new range of diabetic footwear following more than two years’ research and development. Healix footwear has been specifically developed to reduce the risk of plantar ulceration and re-ulceration of the neuropathic diabetic foot. The Chaneco team with host Angela Rippon.
Chaneco to showcase new products at BAPO CHANECO will be showcasing a range of new products at BAPO.
coach Danny Tollet at the National Motocross Academy.
The Spinal Plus, an ultralight thoracolumbar brace, is a valuable addition to the extensive spinal range already supplied by Chaneco.
On the footwear side there will be a chance to view Chaneco’s new diabetic range, manufactured on a new Nature Form last.
Also on display on stand 24 and 25 will be new knee braces Matrix Pro and Lite Medical, and the Matrix Pro & Lite Sport, with low profile “ICR” hinges that mimic the natural movement of the knee.
Producing a more anatomically correct shape, increased room in the toe area and greater stability overall, these styles offer the best protection for areas at high risk of ulceration.
The Sport versions are already proving increasingly popular in the motocross and winter sport arenas, being endorsed by the top class riders in the Pendrich Kawasaki motocross team and professional
Also being introduced at BAPO will be the option to choose PU soles in the wide choice of units available. Chaneco also won the orthotics category for the second consecutive year at the recent BHTA awards.
Healix is a modular rigid rocker soled shoe that is designed to reduce the mechanical stresses experienced under the foot. A growing body of published research indicates that footwear with rigid rocker soles and specific sole geometry can significantly reduce peak pressures.
The Healix design draws on published data to position the patented dual axis rocker at 60 per cent of the foot length with a sagittal plane rocker angle of 20 degrees. The rigid rocker profile prevents sagittal plane extension of the metatarso-phalangeal joints, a feature considered essential in pressure reduction. Internal foot stability is achieved by REED Medical’s contoured removable “first line” polyurethane insole system. Healix footwear is available in three widths and two depths fittings in a number of styles and is available in UK full sizes six to 11.
Brace appoints sales manager RAPIDLY growing independent distributor of innovative orthopaedic supports, Brace Orthopaedic, has appointed Adam Best as sales manager for London and the South East.
Promedics and Medi.
Adam has extensive experience in the orthopaedic industry, beginning his career within the NHS as an orthopaedic practitioner before moving into a sales role within large multi-national companies
“To be involved with Brace at such an early stage is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am looking forward to bringing my skills and expertise to the business.”
He said: “Brace Orthopaedic has a very exciting portfolio of products to offer the industry, with further launches planned during my first year with the company.
Anatomical adds system and glove to its portfolio ANATOMICAL Concepts (UK) Ltd offers a broad range of excellent products and services to private and NHS customers. Best known for the PRAFO® range of orthotic products, which were used to found the business, the company now offers a wide range of often exclusive rehabilitation technology. New for 2013 are the YouBike® system and the Gloreha® hand rehabilitation glove. YouBike® is a cardiovascular exercise bike designed to be used from a bed or wheelchair and promises real benefits to those recovering from or managing neurological conditions. Gloreha® from Italy is seeking a
leading place in the treatment of hand deficiency. With some novel features, Gloreha uses multi-sensory feedback to encourage patient relearning. Mechatronic systems precisely guide the fingers in passive or functional ways. Uniquely, Gloreha® allows the arm to be moved during training and the palmfree glove allows functional activities such as reaching and grasping to be part of therapy. One of Anatomical’s strongest product lines in recent years has been the RehaMove FES Cycling system. A newly designed stimulator and a competitive price has led to adoption by many clients with spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions.
Ossur preparing for BAPO ÖSSUR are looking forward to exhibiting on stands 26 & 27 at this year’s BAPO conference. We will be exhibiting a range of prosthetic products including those suitable for the less active user. The new Balance Knee with locking option, the Balance Foot J Flex Foot 24
and the new Seal-In range of Iceross liners. The new Unloader One with SmartDosing technology will be on display, featuring single-hand dosing dial for on-the-fly adjustability of the dual Dynamic Force Straps. Also on the stand will be the updated Rebound Air Walker and Hiptric.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013
Francis Barrett with the GPO team.
Francis attends Mexico show ALGEOS’ O&P division manager Francis Barrett attended the Uniendo Fronteras show in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Francis was there to support GPO, the official distributor for Algeos’ Aortha products throughout Mexico and Central America.
Uniendo Fronteras is an annual event held across Central American countries which mainly focuses on the latest innovations and developments in O&P, and provides a good level of educational programmes, with speakers contributing from all over the world.
GPO’s CEO Enrique Salazar said: “Since working with Francis and Algeos over the past four years he has established a solid customer base who has become accustomed to providing quality materials to produce quality products.”
Expansion leads to office move KLAVENESS UK has moved to new offices on Scotswood Industrial Estate in Newcastle Upon Tyne. The move was forced by the rapid growth of the firm within the UK over the last few years. The relocation to Newcastle means Klaveness will be working alongside and sharing resources with Bolton
Bros, which will allow the company to add their UK market knowledge and manufacturing expertise to its own in stylish (high street design), high quality prescription footwear. To see our range or discuss any of your needs or requirements visit us at BAPO on stand number 75 or contact us at our offices.
Gold medallist opens refurbished gym By Dominic Musgrave
NEWS
CELEBRATED members of London 2012’s Paralympics GB squad helped to mark the £250,000 refit of a hitech gym at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Discus gold medallist Aled Sion Davies and javelin specialist Nathan Stephens were among the special guests when the former Wales Sports Centre for the Disabled was relaunched as the Inclusion Fitness Centre after a refurb. Both Paralympians are Cardiff Met sport students. Aled said: “It’s a fabulous facility at the heart of Cardiff Met’s Cyncoed Campus and I can see it being a huge hit with students, staff and the public. “London 2012 must have inspired thousands to take up training – or improve what they already do – so this will help satisfy some of that new demand.”
Discus gold medallist Aled Sion Davies at the opening pf the £250,000 gym refit at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Nathan said: “When I started at Cardiff Met, I used this gym every day – in fact it was one of the reasons I chose to study here. The refurb’s fantastic and I'm sure it will help and inspire many disabled and non-disabled athletes for years to come.”
included 1964 Olympic long jump gold medallist and Cardiff Met honorary fellow Lynn Davies, Disability Sport Wales national performance manager Anthony Hughes, Sport Wales institute manager Brian Davies and Cardiff Met vice-chancellor professor Antony Chapman.
Other big names at the relaunch
Dean of the School of Sport at
Cardiff Met, Dave Cobner added: “Paralympians Chris Hallam and John Harris raised the initial £250,000 to originally start the gym. I’m sure Inclusion will be a massive hit with able-bodied and disabled students, staff and visitors.
around South Wales. Some has been shipped over especially from the USA and is unique to the UK.
“The new equipment features some real state-of-the-art technology, right up there with the very best gyms
Inclusion Fitness Centre, with a capacity of around 80, is open seven days a week.
“Inclusion helps improve the student experience at Cardiff Met and maintains our place at the heart of the local community we serve.”
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NEWS
The Run3D system in action.
Runners benefit from spin-out 3D service A NEW Oxford University spin-out company is providing a pioneering service to help runners avoid a common form of injury.
understanding the root-cause of a musculoskeletal overuse injury and to delivering a long-term solution to optimal running,” she said.
Run3D Ltd is offering Europe's first computerised three-dimensional assessment for preventing the types of overuse injuries that affect 50 per cent of runners.
“Conventional video based systems are subjective and not sensitive enough to detect the subtle abnormalities that can lead to injury. Run3D measures a runner's joint angles in the three planes of human motion.
The service uses 3D motion analysis checked against the world's largest biomechanical database to identify any abnormal patterns in a runner's gait. These abnormal patterns are often the root cause of an injury which once corrected can prevent any recurrence. At the heart of the Run3D service is a multiple infrared camera system linked to a sophisticated data acquisition system, which has been developed by professor Reed Ferber at the Running Injury Clinic, University of Calgary. A full assessment takes two hours and is backed by expert advice from a team headed by Dr Jessica Leitch, CEO of Run3D. Jessica began working on the service after completing her doctoral studies in running injury biomechanics at Oxford University’s Department of Engineering. “An accurate analysis of a runner's biomechanics is fundamental to
“The results are then compared to a biomechanical database in order to identify any abnormal patterns in the runner's gait to improve performance and prevent injury. “Run3D’s unique and rigorous approach provides an objective and scientific service, which delivers an effective and evidence-based programme that is tailored very specifically to that individual.” Coming out of a joint research initiative at the Oxford Gait Laboratory at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and the University’s Engineering Department, the company will be based at the historic Roger Bannister Running Track in Oxford. Run3D offers a range of services that include the only mobile service of the kind, going out to running tracks and playing fields to assess athletes across the country.
Faulty frames could cause falls
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A FAULTY batch of walking frames could cause patients to fall, physios have been warned.
2.The frames’ rear screws should be checked to ensure they are not loose or broken, the alert states.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued a medical device alert on walking frames supplied by Sunrise Medical from August 20 to October
Those with missing, broken or damaged screws should be returned to Sunrise Medical, which will provide replacements or take corrective action.
sponsors podiatry
Researchers aim to improve ‘walking on marbles’ feeling for arthritis sufferers RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) is the second most common form of arthritis in the UK, affecting almost 600,000 people, which results in the destruction of joints around the body caused by inflammation. Forefeet often contain some of the first joints to be affected and those with the condition often say that they feel like they are ‘walking on marbles’. Mostly, people have thought that this was due to walking on foot joints that are affected by the RA. The Health Sciences’ FeeTURA study however, developed new ways of assessing the forefeet through the use of diagnostic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. From this work, the team discovered that some of the swellings and associated feeling of ‘walking on marbles’ were related to inflamed bursae (a fluid-filled sac usually found in areas subject to friction) that had developed underneath the forefoot joints. These inflamed bursae were rarely detected by clinical examination. The exact cause of the inflamed bursae is not known and a cure is yet to be found, however, the team is now looking at identifying inflammatory and mechanical
markers to find the best ways of treating this complication in people suffering with RA. They will evaluate foot health treatments, such as targeted steroid injections, as well as medical management through the use of new drugs (called biologics). This new stage of the study will be funded through a partnership between Solent NHS Trust and the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Southampton and supported by a National Institute for Health Research clinical academic fellowship. During the first stage of the study, which took place between 2006 and 2009, researchers at the University of Southampton developed a technique to better evaluate the forefeet and diagnose the ‘marbles’ using diagnostic ultrasound. Participants who were assessed at the NIHR Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, based at Southampton General Hospital, returned for re-assessment in the second stage of the study which discovered the changes that had occurred in the condition. A third stage used an MRI scan to visualise the anatomical structures and ‘marbles’ more clearly in the forefeet and resulted in researchers developing the first ever atlas to
categorise the swellings originally identified in stage one. Led by senior lecturer for advanced clinical and expert practice, Dr Catherine Bowen, this new stage of the treatment study will be carried out by clinical academic researcher, Lindsey Hooper, who recently won a prestigious special award from Wessex HIEC for the previously completed MRI work. Catherine said: “Although more common in the UK than leukaemia and multiple sclerosis, awareness of the severity of rheumatoid arthritis is limited. Our linked study aims to significantly improve the lives of those affected by the condition in their forefeet, reducing the severity of the symptoms including pain, inflammation, poor sleep, fatigue and depression, and therefore helping improve their mobility and wellbeing.” Lindsey added: “This is an amazing opportunity to be involved in a study that is potentially life-changing for the many people suffering from this progressively debilitating condition. As I am maintaining my clinical role as a rheumatology podiatrist while also completing the research it means the findings can be fed directly back into clinical practice, so that local patients receive the most up-to-date care options.”
PODIATRY
Researchers at the University of Southampton are to undertake a new stage of a study aimed at improving the health and mobility of those suffering from the common complaint of ‘walking on marbles’ associated with rheumatoid arthritis in the feet. Dominic Musgrave reports.
New device improves stability A MORE leisurely paced version than the award winning Echelon foot, the Avalon provides improved safety and comfort for all users. The device is recommended for those who may benefit from enhanced stability and an increase in confidence on uneven surfaces and slopes. The Avalon dorsi-flexes after mid-stance and remains this way at toe off through the swing phase to give greater clearance for improved confidence and security. Hydraulically adjusting to inclines and steps, the Avalon foot self-aligns to secure the knee joint and encourage good posture and joint position, this enhances trans-femoral knee stability and helps reduce unwanted movements on the knee joints of trans-tibial users. The hydraulic dorsiflexion movement enhances comfort when crouching down for gardening and household tasks since it is easier to remain balanced because of the improved symmetry of the knee and hip flexion. The Avalon has a single adjustment valve that allows simple optimisation for safe and comfortable walking which customises both plantar-flexion and dorsi-flexion simultaneously allowing incremental adjustment to get the desired level.
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PRODUCTS
Former cricket physio Variety of speakers attracted to event opens new clinic A FORMER England cricket team physiotherapist has opened his latest clinic in his home town of Blackburn. David Roberts, whose patients include Andrew Flintoff, Sir Ian Botham and Lawrence Dallaglio, has opened the clinic in Cherry Tree, creating new jobs and promising to put a spring in the step of clients. He said: “We’ve been keen to open in Blackburn for some time and found the former Cohen’s Pharmacy in Cherry Tree to be an ideal location. “It’s been all systems go since, gutting the building, installing stateof-the-art equipment, decorating, you name it, we’ve done it.
“We will be offering a wide range of specialist treatments to improve the health and wellbeing of local people including physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, one-to-one Pilates and, of course, sports injury treatment. “Our aim is simple — to become the trusted ‘go to’ clinic for the people of Blackburn when they have any injuries or niggles. We can’t promise them a brand new body but we’ll give them the next best thing.” David Roberts Physiotherapy was set up in 1986 and now has seven clinics across the North West including Bolton, Middleton, Oldham, Old Trafford, Stockport and Sale. It is the largest physio group in the region.
ONE SYSTEM, EVERY OPTION WITH THE STERNAL PAD KIT THE Sternal Pad Kit from Beagle Orthopaedic was designed specifically for the supine patient and ease of application. It minimises the need for excessive straps and helps to increase patient compliance. The SPK is the only TLSO with the option of underarm straps.These stop the brace from riding up the body when the patients are seated and significantly limit the amount of adjustment needed when standing, increasing patient comfort and most importantly compliance.The Contour™ SPK is simple to use and apply. Underarm straps allow for adjustment of sternal pad pressure. Accessible adjustment points tailor the brace to each patient’s anatomy.The Contour™ SPK provides superior motion restriction, covering the spine from the T9 vertebrae to the Sacrococcygeal junction. Unlimited adjustability ensures proper brace performance for virtually any body shape and size. Using the Contour™ TLSO Bracing System is economic, providing multiple braces in one system. If keeping stock isn’t a option, two measurements of waist circumference and length of sternal notch to navel will allow us to assemble a brace that will fit your patient first time and be delivered to you in 24 hours
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PACE Rehabilitation is hosting a rehabilitation conference at the Royal College of Physicians building in Central London in April.
Carlsson (Pace Rehabilitation).
Being held in conjunction with Exchange Chambers and NewLaw Solicitors, the event on April 10 is an opportunity for PI solicitors, case managers and claims specialists to see latest prosthetic technological advances and understand the benefit to clients.
The Emergence of Personal Bionics – Brian Frasure (BiOM, USA).
The programme consists of a variety of internationally respected clinical and legal speakers, with topics including:
Ensuring Successful Outcomes – Gerard Martin QC (Exchange Chambers) and Robert Thomas (NewLaw Solicitors).
Advancing Technology: Increasing benefits and rising costs – Toby
A charitable donation to the WWTW charity will be made from the event.
Osseo Integration – John Sullivan (Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton).
Recovery – An inspiring Adventure – Jim Bonney (Adventure Rehab). To The Other Side Of The World – Ed Parker and Capt. Guy Disney (Walking With The Wounded).
CARBONIQ SYSTEM COMING SOON MADE of high-performance technical thermoplastic and reinforced with carbon fibre, the joints in our new CarbonIQ system are as durable as metal joints, yet considerably lighter. The CarbonIQ is the first to feature waterproof joints, making it an excellent choice, either as a primary KAFO for users who work outdoors, or a secondary KAFO for those wishing to participate in activities that they may not be able to with a traditional one. It also features a safe wedge-lock and pull-release cable knee joint, and provides user-friendly unlocking with one hand. Come and find out more about the CarbonIQ range – and much more – on one of our free-to-attend educational workshops being held across the UK throughout 2013. Enquiries: For more details, see our advert on page 25 or email david.buchanan@ottobock.com www.ottobock.co.uk