An introduction to orthotic management of paediatric scoliosis, including current understanding of scoliosis development, treatment pathways, bracing, surgery and physiotherapy. The session aims to increase confidence in this specialist clinical area and provide an update on current evidence and research.

Objectives

• Develop a greater understanding of scoliosis in the growing spine.
• Understand how to describe scoliosis.
• Understand the difference between types of spinal braces.
• Understand the aims of spinal bracing in the growing spine.
• Understand the types of surgery currently used in the UK.

Who is this for?

Orthotists who may not routinely manage scoliosis but wish to improve their understanding of the condition and current treatment pathways in the UK. No prior knowledge is required.

 

Key takeaways

• Confidently describe scoliosis.
• Understand treatment modalities.
• Know when to refer to specialist services.

Therapeutic footwear is key to preventing diabetes-related foot ulcers. This session will present findings from the most comprehensive systematic review to date examining how different footwear components influence both biomechanical and user-related outcomes. The talk will also explore emerging evidence on non-plantar pressure and footwear fit, highlighting areas where current clinical practice may benefit from more objective assessment methods. Attendees will gain practical insights into applying research evidence to support the design and prescription of personalised therapeutic footwear for people with diabetes at higher risk of ulceration.

 

Learning Objectives

Learn how to apply current scientific evidence on therapeutic footwear design components to improve ulcer prevention, patient adherence, and clinical decision-making in people at higher risk of diabetes-related foot ulceration.

 

Who Is This Session For?

Even if you have limited experience in diabetic foot management or footwear prescription, this session will provide practical, evidence-based insights that can be applied in everyday orthotic and clinical practice.

 

Key Takeaways

• Evidence for therapeutic footwear extends beyond plantar pressure and includes adherence, usability, balance, and quality of life.
• Specific footwear design components influence outcomes differently, highlighting the importance of evidence-based and personalised footwear provision.
• Non-plantar pressure and footwear fit represent emerging areas of research that may improve future ulcer prevention strategies.

This webinar will explore one of the most common comfort challenges experienced by lower-limb prosthetic users: heat and moisture accumulation at the skin–liner interface. Excess perspiration inside the liner can contribute to discomfort, reduced confidence, skin irritation, and challenges with daily prosthesis use.

 

Ethnocare will introduce the Underlay, a textile interface designed to be worn directly under the prosthetic liner. Its intended use is to help manage perspiration and moisture accumulation by absorbing and transferring sweat away from the skin, supporting a drier and more comfortable microclimate inside the liner.

 

The session will review the clinical need, product design, intended use, available configurations, and preliminary testing results. It will also discuss how the Underlay differs from traditional liner-liner solutions through its expanded sizing range, open and closed-toe options, and focus on moisture management for both transtibial and transfemoral users.

A short guide on Assistive gaming and how it can be adapted to support gamers with limb differences. How video games can be a positive force in the adoption of physio and medical support devices and prosthetics.

This session will discuss international education pathways into P&O and what is expected of clinicians entering the UK workforce. Based on global educational experience, it will compare key differences across international P&O curricula and highlight the core skills, professional competencies and workplace readiness required for UK practice. The talk will also outline Keele University’s role in supporting a UK pre‑registration MSc pathway aligned with HCPC and BAPO standards, as well as provide guidance for internationally trained clinicians considering a career in P&O in the UK.

Delivered by Ellie Lindsay, this session explores the often-overlooked psychological burden of chronic lower limb conditions. Drawing on the community-based approach of the Lindsay Leg Club Foundation, it will highlight how social isolation, stigma, and reduced quality of life impact healing, and how integrating peer support and person-centred care can improve both clinical and psychosocial outcomes.

Patellofemoral osteoarthritis and quadriceps weakness present ongoing challenges within both NHS and private orthotic practice. Conventional knee braces frequently focus on tibiofemoral unloading, with limited support for the extensor mechanism during functional activities.

This webinar examines the role of Spring Loaded bracing in managing extensor mechanism insufficiency, including patellofemoral OA, post-operative quadriceps weakness, tendon injury, fracture rehabilitation, and nerve-related deficits. The session will explore how extension assist may reduce tensile forces across the anterior knee, support quadriceps function during gait, and reduce joint loading during flexion.

Five peer-reviewed publications will be reviewed, demonstrating reductions in patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joint contact forces, reductions in sagittal plane knee flexion moments, and significant decreases in quadriceps muscle activation during functional tasks. Prospective registry data and clinical case studies will also be presented.

Discussion will include biomechanical principles, patient selection criteria, and practical fitting considerations to support integration into routine orthotic care.