The American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy) published the proceedings from its 14th State-of-the-Science Conference, O&P Scope of Practice and Regulatory Status of Bone-Anchored Prostheses. The open-access proceedings are available through the Journal of Prosthetics & Orthotics.
The 2024 State-of-the-Science Conference brought together an interdisciplinary panel of clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to examine how the introduction of bone-anchored prosthesis technology is transforming prosthetic care delivery, redefining professional roles, and influencing reimbursement and regulatory frameworks. The proceedings captured expert consensus, highlighted evidence gaps, and outlined priorities for future research.
Key discussion areas included:
- Scope of practice: Defining the certified prosthetist’s role in post-surgical care and clarifying what activities fall within or outside the professional scope
- Regulatory pathways: Understanding how Food and Drug Administration classifications and approval mechanisms impact device access, labeling, and coordination among care teams.
- Reimbursement: Evaluating the new L-5991 code for osseointegrated connectors and identifying reimbursement limitations for comprehensive bone-anchored prosthesis care.
- Research priorities: Highlighting critical areas of needed study, including candidacy criteria, rehabilitation protocols, component compatibility, and long-term outcomes.
“The emergence of bone-anchored prosthetic technology marks a defining moment in the evolution of prosthetic care,” said Gerald Stark, PhD, MSEM, CPOL, FAAOP(D), president of the Academy. “[The State-of-the-Science Conference] provides the necessary clarity and consensus needed to clinically guide the O&P profession to adopt this transformative technology safely and effectively.”
The Academy commended Brian Kaluf, MSE, CP, FAAOP(D), who served as chair of the event, for his leadership in guiding the conference discussions and overseeing the development of the proceedings and extended its gratitude to the contributing authors and panelists for their expertise and thoughtful participation. Partial funding support was provided by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics.
To access the proceedings, visit the Journal of Prosthetics & Orthotics.
