The meeting began with technical workshops providing exhibitors and manufacturers opportunities to describe new products and technologies. Innovative solutions were overarching themes of the workshop sessions, including discussion about 3D modeling and additive manufacturing processes being incorporated in newer products, such as cranial remolding helmets, spinal orthoses, and a variety of AFOs. The Hector Kay lecturer, Ola Harrysson, PhD, a professor at North Carolina State University, provided a comprehensive review of how medical fields are adopting additive processing and 3D manufacturing techniques and incorporating them into practice.
Lower-limb orthotics and outcomes and research presentations were featured on day two of the meeting, including presentations addressing more global topics such as “Please, Let’s Define Function,” mental health screenings, and COVID-19 related pediatric amputations.
Helenlyn Popescu, MPO, CO, a clinical resident at Hanger Clinic, Chula Vista, California, was awarded the New Investigator Award.
Jennifer Brondon, MD, University of North Carolina, discussed vascular malformations followed by a multidisciplinary panel to discuss pediatric vascular anomalies.
Presentations about upper-limb, thoracic, and cranial disorders were featured on day three. Studies focused on the challenges and efficacy of fitting upper-limb prostheses for children, as well as a revealing study on how children’s brains perceive the congenital absences of a limb.
The state of ACPOC was discussed during the meeting as well as the election of new board members. Anna Vergun, MD, will pass the gavel of presidency to Colleen Coulter, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS, with newly elected members-at-large Vivian Yip, OTD, MA, OTR/L, and Brian Emling, PO, LPO CHOA, vice president Phoebe Scott-Wyard, DO, and treasurer Robert Lipschutz, CPO.
The meeting’s general session focused on lower-limb amputations, epidemiology of international patients, patellofemoral instability, and targeted muscle reinnervation.
ACPOC will hold its next Annual Meeting May 16-20, 2023, in Minneapolis.
