Has anyone seen the advertisement in “WIRED” magazine? The ad was for Otto
Bock and their C-leg. A Logo of Hanger was on the front of the C-leg. The logo
was not on the socket of the prosthesis, but on the anterior surface of the
C-leg knee. This magazine is a monthly publication that focuses on Hi-tech and
new technology. It is a World-Wide publication and is read by millions of
people. Is Otto Bock advertising for Hanger? Did they split the cost? I don’t
think that matters, the point is that a manufacturer is showing an O&P company,
(my competitor), on their product, not just as a component of a total device.
The logo was not on the socket, or the cover, or the skin, or the foot, it was
on the C-leg knee and this is going to be seen all over the world. There has
been a lot of national news lately about the bionic leg, ( C-leg ),
unfortunately due to the number of amputees at Walter Reed Hospital receiving this
device. This is not a knock on the knee, I think it’s great. I want the soldiers to
get the best and live wonderful lives. I just wonder where the line is drawn
when it comes to helping one group and hurting another in O&P.
Hal Wolgamott CP, FAAOP
