Symposium: Mechatronic knee joints
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Symposium: Mechatronic knee joints
Safe gait with limited mobility
On November 30, 2021, the MedTech company Ottobock invites Healthcare-professionals to a virtual symposium.
The topic is the current state of studies on mechatronic knee prostheses for elderly and mobility-impaired people. The aim is to deepen knowledge of substential evidence on the benefits of high-tech for the less mobile user groups. For example, we will explore the question of what the findings can mean for prosthetic rehabilitation. Full details of the event can be found here.
New study results prove success for less mobile patients
Experts presenting at a symposium in September used the results of their own studies to demonstrate that older people with limited mobility benefit from mechatronic knee joints (MPKs) after an amputation. Prof. Dr. Bernhard Greitemann (Bad Rothenfelde rehabilitation centre) noted that preventing falls is the key aspect, particularly after a transfemoral amputation or knee disarticulation. Microprocessor-controlled as well as mechanical knee joints (NMPKs) are currently available for use in prosthetic treatment. A majority of those obtaining an MPK are younger, more mobile people. MPKs are only rarely used for patients of an advanced age [1,2]. According to Dr Kerstin Hagberg of Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, the reasons behind a generally low proportion of prostheses for older people only partially include accompanying illnesses, poor overall health, increased mortality and the time required for prosthetic rehabilitation. However, a study has in fact shown that older people with limited mobility benefit from treatment with microprocessor-controlled prostheses even more. It found that MPKs reduce the risk of falling in comparison with NMPKs and improve both functionality and patient satisfaction [3]. The health economics study conducted by Prof. Dr. Alexander Kuhlmann of Leibniz University Hannover shows that the Kenevo MPK is cost-effective and affordable for payers, especially for older patients. This is because hospitalisations and falls resulting in fatalities are significantly lower compared with figures for patients fitted with an NMPK. [4]. The bottom line is that the available studies and the symposium show that older people benefit from high tech – and from modern prosthetics that restore quality of life.
Info: The English-language symposium "Mechatronic knee joints: Safety. Performance. Perception. - From Catchphrase to Consolidation: MPKs in low mobility Patients" for healthcare professionals will be held online Nov. 30 from 4 to 5 p.m. 30 CET. The symposium will be moderated by Prof. Dr. Bernhard Greitemann (Reha-Klinikum Bad Rothenfelde, Klinik Münsterland der DRV Westfalen). Afterwards, you are invited to discuss online with the speakers. Under this link (https://www.ottobock.com/en/footer/clinical-studies/virtual-symposium-mechatronical-knee-joints/) you will find all instructions for participation, as well as more information on the studies and a detailed summary of the previous symposium.
Speakers include
- Arun Jayaraman, PhD (Executive Director Technology & Innovation Hub Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, USA)
- Fiona Davie-Smith, PhD (Clinical Coordinator Scottish Specialist Prosthetics Service NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, UK)
- Bruce Carse, PhD (Clinical Scientist at the West of Scotland Mobility and Rehabilitation Centre WestMARC, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, UK)
- Andreas Hahn, PhD (Vice President Clinical Research, Ottobock, AUS)
About Ottobock: Ottobock develops “wearable human bionics” – medical technology products for people with limited mobility in the fields of Prosthetics, Orthotics and Human Mobility (wheelchairs). The company, founded in 1919, also treats patients in its Patient Care division. Ottobock's mission is to improve their quality of life and increase health economic benefits. With the Paexo exoskeletons, Ottobock has transferred its expertise in biomechanics to applications for industry as well since 2012. Subsidiaries in almost 60 countries offer “Made in Germany” quality worldwide and employ more than 8,000 people. The international activities of the company are coordinated from the head office in Duderstadt (state of Lower Saxony). Ottobock has been supporting the Paralympic Games with its technical expertise since 1988.
Sources:
1 Kamrad I, et al. Acta Orthop. 2020;91(4):464–470.
2 swedeamp.com/index.php/startsida/arsrapporter/; accessed on 15 September 2021.
3 Kaufman KR, et al. Clinical Biomechanics. 2018;58:116–22.
4 Kuhlmann A, et al. Virtual ISPOR Europe 2020: 16–19 November 2020; Value Health, 2020, 23(Suppl 2), Abstract S576: doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2020.08.1036.
Maja Hoock (Public Relations Manager)
+49 151 18883507
maja.hoock@ottobock.de
Further material to download image: Kenevo Rehabilitation.jpg image: Kenevo Reha KOL Event (3).jpg