Webinar Objectives:
Describe the basic Design and Mechanism of action of passive hip flexion assist orthoses
Explain the observed impacts of passive hip flexion orthoses on gait kinematics in individuals with MS specifically how these devices can lead to an increase in peak hip flexion angle in the assisted limb.
Join us for a special P&O Day UK webinar as we celebrate a profession built on collaboration and innovation. This year, we shine a spotlight on the role of research and education in raising awareness of prosthetics and orthotics, both within healthcare and beyond.
In this 90-minute session, three leading voices from the field—Dr. Alix Chadwell, Eileen Morrow, and Dr. Chantle Ostler—will each deliver a 15-minute talk exploring how research can shape the future of P&O practice, policy, and education.
🔹 Evidence, Empowerment & Equity: Why P&O Must Lead our Research
Speaker: Eileen Morrow
This session will highlight the critical role orthotists and prosthetists play in delivering outcome-driven, preventative care—and why their voices must be included in research that shapes clinical policy. Drawing from her work in paediatric orthopaedics and national trials, Eileen offers a compelling case for embedding research in daily clinical practice and outlines how strong evidence can secure the future of the profession.
🔹 Research in Your Career
Speaker: Dr. Chantle Ostler
What does research in a P&O career really look like? This session explores a spectrum of possibilities—from using evidence in day-to-day practice to pursuing a clinical academic career. Chantle will share practical pathways, funding options, and insights into building a research-positive culture, including an example from the Portsmouth Enablement Centre.
🔹 Talk by Dr. Alix Chadwell
Title and description t
Alix
Plus:
A panel-led discussion on how we can work together across professions to build greater visibility and understanding of P&O
An interactive Q&A session with all three speakers
This event is open to prosthetists, orthotists, AHPs, researchers, educators, and all those interested in strengthening the role of P&O through evidence and education.
An introduction to the Enhanced Clinical Practice (ECP) PGCert course at the University of Salford. This exciting opportunity is being offered as an Apprenticeship or Direct route for registered clinicians who have completed at least 1 year of post-registration work.
After setting the scene for the NEED for this ECP programme, we will provide an overview to the course; what it entails, how to navigate the Apprenticeship standard KSBs, who should apply and where to go for more information.
There will be time at the end for all your pressing questions!
In September 2023 NHS England published its own guidelines on developing and commissioning peer support. Recognising peer support as an important self-management intervention, the guidelines highlight the need to consider the resources required, how peer mentors are supported themselves, quality assurance and evaluation methods.
Over the last 6 years the Limbless Association has been building on the foundations of its Volunteer Visitor VV peer support programme, originally set up over 30 years ago. The LA’s new VV programme has seen significant investment (funding from National Lottery England Reaching Communities) and is being included in several research studies in England and Wales. It’s included in the findings and outcomes of an NIHR funded study which was recently completed at De Montfort University in Leicester. Peer support resource – preamp.dmu.ac.uk
This webinar will detail the design and application of the PDE Neuro strut alongside 3D printing the components for the calf, ankle and foot. The aim of the webinar is to fully explain the modularity and adjustability of the orthosis. The main concept is the interchangeable struts that allow the adjustment of the overall orthosis stiffness.
Day 1 is presented virtually and covers footwear assessment procedures, what to consider, analysis of the situation and how to use this information to choose the most appropriate type of footwear. The different types of footwear will be discussed, stock, modular, and bespoke footwear (its uses, allowances, benefits and limitations). The mechanics of feet and how they affect footwear and how footwear affects feet is included, with lots of detail about designing bespoke footwear and how each part of it should be specified and designed by the orthotist to achieve the best outcome for the patient.
Days 2 and 3 are face to face and includes practical sessions aiming to improve assessment, measuring skills, casting, fitting, supplying and reviewing skills.
Potential problems at fitting and review and how to resolve them will be discussed and suggestions on how to improve practice will be suggested.
Attendees should be prepared to share a short case study on day 1. This can be either a success or a problem that they experience in their footwear provision. A brief description is all that is needed but photos would help.
Attendees should bring an example of a footwear draft to day 2.
Delegates will need to attend all 3 days of this Short Course.
Communication between prosthetic / orthotic clinicians and technicians plays a vital role in Prosthetics and Orthotics. Both parties have to exchange clinical and technical information which needs to be accurately understood to ensure the unique needs of patients are integrated into the design and fabrication process. Due to the limited literature investigating this topic, a qualitative study which aims to explore the impact of communication on PO devices and their relationship are required.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were performed, targeting the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered prosthetists, orthotists and technicians who worked at four main Opcare centres in Midlands region and two in East Anglia region. Transcribed interviews were input into NVivo software and thematic analysis was employed to identify explore key themes arising from the qualitative data.
Results
Ten respondents took part in this study, seven clinicians and three technicians. Participants used a variety of communication methods; however, verbal communication was mostly preferred. Specification which was too long and ambiguous were identified as a main obstacle to effective written communication. The effectiveness of communication encounters challenges in the context of offsite manufacturing. The importance of device quality was emphasized as a significant factor affecting communication. The study also found that open and honest communication enriched team collaboration and respect among team members.
Conclusions
This qualitative study provides comprehensive and rich data which explores the impact of communication on PO device and relationships and offers recommendations for researchers and practitioners to enhance patient care and foster a friendly work environment through effective communication.
This session will provide a practical and research-informed overview of Perthes’ Disease. Drawing on his clinical practice and research over recent years, Adam will explore previous variations in management and how his recent NIHR-funded PhD has looked to optimise non-surgical management. Adam’s PhD focused on developing the NON-STOP app, a digital self-management intervention to support children with Perthes’ Disease and their families. His research involved engaging key stakeholders—including children, families, and clinicians—through qualitative interviews, a national consensus process, and iterative app design and testing. Adam will also explain how these findings, alongside strong engagement with the clinical community, have led to the UK undertaking the first ever prospective RCT in Perthes’ disease: the Op NON-STOP study.
Cognitive and emotional changes are common following stroke and can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life and recovery. The talk will provide an overview of the cognitive and emotional impact of stroke for stroke survivors and their families. It will also look to touch upon related areas of fatigue and practical implications such as return to work and driving.
