Event Schedule

Exhibitor Set up

Attendee and Exhibitor pre-registration and onsite registration

Room 209, Hynes Level 2

Registration and Information Desk Open

The speaker ready room provides a quiet space for presenters to relax or prepare for their presentation.

Marketing is often defined as social media, a website, and a holiday thank you to your referral sources. But is it working? What questions do you need to ask to make sure your efforts are worthwhile? In 30 minutes, you will get answers and the details of a marketing plan that fits your resources and business goals.

A breast surgery patient’s “journey” is not linear, and she may need a wide variety of products as she navigates her way through surgery recovery and beyond. We will review a foundational concept of the breast cancer patient journey and what it means to your business. During this presentation you’ll learn the product segments that will best serve your patient through each phase of surgery, and throughout her lifetime. Understanding your patient, and all the ways you can serve her, will set the tone for your time in the post-mastectomy workshops.

From billing/reimbursement to product options and successful selling techniques to demonstration, this session will have you asking why you have yet to jump on the custom wagon! Have you wondered if custom is right for your business? Join American Breast Care custom breast prosthesis team members for an interactive session where you can see, touch, and feel product options, try your hand at scanning, learn what tools are available to you to market custom, and test your knowledge regarding reimbursement.

Lunch on your own or Participate in the OPAF BBQ Luncheon Fundraiser

Please join the Amoena team for a two-hour workshop especially designed for AOPA. This course will guide you through the steps of building your post-breast surgery business, addressing potential problems, and providing solutions each step of the way. • Master the “good, better, best” pricing levels—what to know and what to show • Realize details of inventory requirements to start effectively utilizing space, and begin fitting customers • How to certify, and privilege qualified staff to care for women in your community • Facility accreditation requirements to do mastectomy fittings • Learn about the latest breast prosthesis innovation available and how to offer it with little overhead cost • Understand the breast cancer patient journey and how to meet your customer where she needs you • Capitalize on Amoena as a business partner to help support your growth

Enjoy an evening of networking with your O&P colleagues while enjoying Tex-Mex refreshments. The celebration is included in your full conference registration—bring a guest for a nominal fee.

Kickoff your Assembly experience at the Welcome to San Antonio Reception. Enjoy refreshments, entertainment, and connecting with your colleagues. The Welcome Reception is included with you're the full conference registration. Guest tickets can be purchased.

Registration and Information Desk Open

The speaker ready room provides a quiet space for presenters to relax or prepare for their presentation.

Attendee Breakfast

Opening Remarks and Keynote address by CNN Hero Mona Patel

This session will highlight current and future research projects that are ongoing at the Center for the Intrepid, Walter Reed Military Medical Center, and Naval Medical Center San Diego. These projects are aimed at advancing care for people with extremity trauma. Some examples include optimizing residual limb health, exoskeleton solutions that enable rapid return to duty after lower limb fractures, minimizing secondary health effects after amputation, and comparing clinical outcomes of people with amputation that have received care from Military and civilian settings.

Learn about the families and melt profiles of O&P Plastics, residual stress in plastic sheet, and making plastic an income generator.

Join the DME MACs Outreach team as they present to you an overview of recent changes and updates to the Medicare program. In addition to receiving Medicare updates, the DME MACs will also address the most common CERT denials for Orthotic and Prosthetic claims and provide resources to help avoid and resolve these common errors.

With a rise in Lumpectomies, in place of the radical mastectomy, many more women require non-traditional breast forms. Partial forms have been available for many years but are they fully embraced by the professionals entrusted with guiding women through this delicate process? Join a panel of experts in the post-mastectomy care community as they discuss how the advancements in surgeries has created more challenging fittings for Certified Mastectomy Fitters.

Join an in-depth discussion on the past, present, and future of osseointegration. The presentation will begin with the history, outcomes research, risk, benefits, and resources for patients. A surgeon will present surgical considerations and procedures and then help you realize the rehab required, complications, cost, payment challenges and the future of OI in the United States. There will be a review of the prosthetic approach to OI – the prosthetists considerations for patient selection, alignment, device selection, complications, cost/payment challenges, and a future look at the prosthetist’s role in OI.

Contracting with payers is not just a simple contract negotiation process anymore. Payers want to know why it is beneficial for them to give you more money. We want to equip you with knowledge and numbers so that you can learn to partner with your payers.

Acquire new skills and techniques when thermoforming over foam.

We will discuss essential business considerations when providing post-mastectomy care in your practice. including personnel, accreditation, cost of goods, inventory, coding, and marketing. 

There is a significant burden of disease associated with limb loss and limb preservation. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of evidence on effective practices and technologies for helping this population. National level data from the multiple stakeholder perspective has been lacking until recently. The national Limb Loss and Preservation Registry (LLPR) has been developed to address this knowledge gap. The LLPR is an organized system designed to make critical data on limb loss, limb preservation, and limb difference available to hospitals, clinics and individual providers, patients, manufacturers, payers, scientists, clinical researchers, and policy makers. The overall objective of the LLPR is to collect, standardize, and report patient outcomes data, support evidence-based decision making, enhance health care delivery, and establish and disseminate best practices. The speakers in this session will discuss the impact of the registry on clinical practice and prosthesis design with emphasis on payor and policy implications.

Alex Smith was a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback who saved his most inspirational act for last. Smith suffered a devastating leg injury that almost resulted in the amputation of his right leg. With the help of a CPO, a brace, and 2-years of rehab, Smith found his way back to the field with the Washington Football Team in 2020. He helped them win the NFC East Division title and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year before retiring after the season. This session will highlight the CPO’s experience, the rehabilitation, and clinical data on the AFO used.

Sam. E. Hamontree Business Education Award was created to recognize the best business papers submitted for presentation at the AOPA National Assembly. � Hear the Hamontree Contenders and cast your vote for the Award-Winning Paper.

Review advancement in thermoplastics, including blister forming vs. drape molding new materials.

As a billing and consulting company in the orthotic and prosthetic industry, we perform Revenue Cycle assessments every day. Through these assessments, we have identified three common trends that cause a practice’s revenue cycle to become disrupted and even screech to a halt. In this presentation, we will share our insights and analysis into these trends and how to identify them, fix them, and avoid them.

Speaker will examine the definitions of Emotional Intelligence and Emotional burnout within O & P. Lecture will show the levels of burnout among demographic groups: Certification, Experience, Work Context, and Job function in O & P, especially during COVID. Presentation will also relate the data of emotional burnout on significant relationships with Technology Optimism and Innovativeness from an earlier survey.

During this presentation we will review the Medicare External Breast Prostheses Local Coverage Determination and Policy Article. Our discussion will include coverage criteria and coding, refills and replacement, modifiers and upgrades, documentation requirements, and resources and reminders.

Residual limb skin health is a perpetual issue in prosthetic care. However, much research has been completed in this area in the last year. Top researchers in the field will share their cutting-edge results in this session. The effects of socket design on perspiration, socket motion on skin health, distal pressure, and non-invasive measurement techniques will be discussed.

Learn new techniquest for fabricating a Symes Foot.

With the recent series of armed conflicts, the Department of Defense (DOD) has been at the forefront of the evolution of limb trauma and amputation management. This session will briefly cover the challenges and remaining gaps in managing limb trauma and amputation from the DOD perspective. The critical nature of Orthotists and Prosthetists as clinical specialties and as part of the multidisciplinary team will be highlighted throughout the session. 

All businesses have challenges and opportunities that can be daunting and/or seemingly impossible to conquer. We find so often the barrier to solving the big problems is our ‘Mindset’, which is inherently limited by our individual experiences, both positive and negative. By unlocking an ‘Innovation Mindset’ in ourselves, our teams, and ultimately our organization, new superpowers emerge. What problems would you most like to solve? What opportunities would you most like to capture? What ‘superpowers’ in yourself and your organization would you like identify and unlock? Join Jimmy as he takes you through his approach that he’s practiced through his career in product development, problem solving, building organizations, and leading teams. Jimmy will inspire you through his talk and bring you out of your comfort zone through a fun innovation exercise to inspire you and your organization.

Quality of life after a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is an important aspect of a patient’s journey that should not be overlooked. This presentation will look at a Quality-of-Life (QOL) model and its relationship to survivorship. Important aspects such physical wellbeing, spiritual wellbeing, psychological wellbeing, and social wellbeing will be explored. A compelling video which features a variety of breast cancer patients and their journey, including how each one accepted and tackled their breast cancer, will round out the QOL section. The presentation will then explore information on how to relate to breast cancer patients and how to provide the best care, support, and service!

This unique event featuring patient success stories and demonstrations will showcase how the CPO and device work together to restore lives. This event will feature exhibitors and caregivers working together to create amazing outcomes. It will be held in conjunction with the traditional Happy Hour. This event is included with your full conference registration.

Registration and Information Desk Open

The speaker ready room provides a quiet space for presenters to relax or prepare for their presentation.

Attendee Breakfast

General Session

For over 20 years, the Thranhardt Award has been one of the most distinguished honors in the orthotics and prosthetics profession for researchers. (The following presentations run consecutively within this program.)

Networking Break in Exhibit Hall

Exhibit Hall Open

A beginner's introduction to insurance contracting and coverage verification. Get tips on where to start and how to read a patient's plan.

Have you ever had a patient struggle to maintain the fit of their prosthetic socket? Reliance on socket changes and manual socket adjustments is inconvenient and can be difficult to perform properly. A diverse group of panelists will share research focused on meeting this challenge via novel volume management strategies forHave you ever had a patient struggle to maintain the fit of their prosthetic socket? Reliance on sock changes and manual socket adjustments is inconvenient and can be difficult to perform properly. A diverse group of panelists will share research focused on meeting this challenge via novel volume management strategies for persons with lower limb amputations. Come discover the latest innovations in adaptive socket technologies designed to enhance socket fit, reduce user burden, and improve overall function. persons with lower limb amputations. Come discover the latest innovations in adaptive socket technologies designed to enhance socket fit, reduce user burden, and improve overall function.

It is challenging to obtain an optimal socket fit and prosthetic alignment when there is limited patient feedback. This case study series discusses challenging patient presentations, explores using portable pressure-sensing technology to improve patient outcomes, and educates clinicians on how to optimize their clinical workflow with technological advances.

Composite AFOs have made an impact on the field of orthotics by providing increased energy return and mobility while reducing weight. These benefits are experienced by everyday users, servicemembers, and elite athletes alike. Composite science from materials experts will be presented along with clinical data from industry leaders in the space. Results on a recent clinical trial comparing advanced composite AFOs to traditional orthoses will also be presented.

Learn Partial Hand and finger options. The presentation will cover both passive and active devices readily available.

We will present practical information from an experienced O&P practice about implementing a process and a digital method of collecting outcome measures validated in the amputee population. Data collected includes patient reported and patient performance measures as well as demographics. Common perceived barriers to collecting outcome measures will also be discussed and possible resolutions offered.

Digital workflows result in the collection of vastamounts of scan data which has long been identified as a crucial resource in a more evidence-based O&P design process. Recent advances from research and industry have put powerful, free tools into the hands of clinicians to extract meaningful data from these scans. This education presentation will introduce clinicians to currently available tools, and present some example use cases to show how they might maximise the value of their existing data towards more evidence-based design processes.

A retrospective chart review was performed on 1,250 infants who were treated with a CRO at one of three treatment facilities. This data was used to create prediction models for the maximum treatment duration an infant is expected to have with a CRO to meet the measurement goals of the treating clinician. These models were tested against the retrospective results of 210 infants who received care at a different treatment facility and were found to have moderate accuracy. New predictive models which include all collected data (n=1,460) are proposed for future validation.

Have you found yourself feeling somewhat powerless when discussing the payment terms of your payer contracts? If so, are you tired of being in the dark when it comes to those negotiations? Reaching an agreement with fair reimbursement rates has traditionally been a tedious process that can take an immense amount of time without much data available to assist you. Providers are often at the mercy of payers when it comes to determining a fair reimbursement during those “negotiations”, as they often don’t have the same transparency into claims and other types of data that payers have at their disposal. Payers often utilize a “take it or leave it” approach, saying “this is what we pay everyone else”. This usually leaves providers with nothing to leverage back with; until now, that is. In this session, we will dive into some newly available tools that providers can utilize as they negotiate new or renegotiate existing contracts with payers to achieve more long term stability in their contracts. We will give you some insight into data that can prove extremely helpful in these types of negotiations.

The Caesar foot is a bimodal prosthetic foot design that allows a single device to have optimized design, alignment, and biomechanics for both running and walking. This novel foot would provide the opportunity to participate in running and other running-based activities (e.g. basketball, etc.) for lower limb amputees who don’t currently have the access to running feet due to the lack of insurance coverage.

Women registering for the 2022 National Assembly are invited to a special event acknowledging the contributions and advancements of women in O&P. The program offers women a casual opportunity to network and learn from other successful females in the profession. Join us for lunch as we celebrate landmark achievements, leadership, and discuss mentorship and dealing with the unique issues of professional women. Space is limited. RSVP required.

Lunch Break in Exhibit Hall

This presentation, designed for O&P business owners and managers and led by O&P finance leaders, will demonstrate how benchmarking can be used to assess the strength of a company and how to make informed business decisions. Attendees will learn to use O&P benchmarking data to evaluate and improve their business, from gross margin, sales generated per employee, cost of goods sold, compensation and benefits, and more.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic (OP&P) clinical service dates back to the World War II. Throughout history, the structure of the service has adapted and evolved to include research, technological development, procurement, and other focal areas. However, the primary mission is, and always has been, to provide clinical OP&P care for US Veterans. This session provides an abridged overview of the history of the VA’s OP&P service including mission, structure, innovation, and vision for the future.

Learn to evaluate the cost/benefit of internalizing work versus outsourcing it. Attendees will also learn about new components of the fabrication process that can be externalized given advancements in new technology.

With increasing prevalence of digital shape capture and modification software in O&P care, Mary Free Bed is aiming to improve efficiency and decrease costs of modification and fabrication at satellite offices. This presentation will detail why this transition is occurring, what factors are being considered throughout the transition, how this transition will take place across satellite offices, the obstacles and learning curves that clinicians are facing and adapting to throughout the process, and overall improvements efficiency and work-life balance after implementation.

Learn what the power of analytics can bring to your WIP meetings. It will allow you to make the most out of your time and bring visibility to your claims to ensure no claims fall through the cracks. Keep claims moving through your system to secure constant cash flow.

All businesses have challenges and opportunities that can be daunting and/or seemingly impossible to conquer. We find so often the barrier to solving the big problems is our ‘Mindset’, which is inherently limited by our individual experiences, both positive and negative. By unlocking an ‘Innovation Mindset’ in ourselves, our teams, and ultimately our organization, new superpowers emerge. What problems would you most like to solve? What opportunities would you most like to capture? What ‘superpowers’ in yourself and your organization would you like identify and unlock? Join Jimmy as he takes you through his approach that he’s practiced through his career in product development, problem solving, building organizations, and leading teams. Jimmy will inspire you through his talk and bring you out of your comfort zone through a fun innovation exercise to inspire you and your organization.

There are a variety of hybrid traditional/digital workflows at use in the industry today. We'll break down the basics of hybrid workflows, explore why hybrid workflows are useful, how to problem solve common issues, and how to work effectively with skilled digital designers/technicians.

Break

Marketing is often defined as social media, a website, and a holiday thank you to your referral sources. But is it working? What questions do you need to ask to make sure your efforts are worthwhile? In 30 minutes, you will get answers and the details of a marketing plan that fits your resources and business goals.

This symposium will present a new classification system of prosthetic knees that is based on their technical, biomechanical, and functional principles and that will allow for matching patients´ safety and mobility needs with the most appropriate and best suitable knee mechanism. The classification comprises all non-microprocessor and microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee types and provides valuable support for clinical decision-making by explaining which safety functions and activities are supported or not supported by the various knee mechanisms. The technical and biomechanical considerations of knee selection will be further Prosthetic Knee Selection: Match Functional Principles and Clinical Evidence of Knees with Patients´ Safety and Mobility Needs strengthened by a review of the published clinical and scientific evidence on the various prosthetic knee mechanisms.

In a fee-for-value based care system, the ability to understand how ill or impaired a population is becomes more critical. This study demonstrates the magnitude of physical impairment among the unique population of stroke survivors that are seeking orthotic intervention.

Join us for a series of free paper presentations featuring novel research and treatment protocols.

The Fabrication Tips and Tricks will be a series of pre-recorded ideas, tips and tricks submitted electronically via the call for presentations.

The O&P Industry is moving and innovating in the digital space. Fast production with FDM and lightning-quick foam carving for traditional fabrication techniques are great for test sockets – but what about definitive 3D printed sockets? Join us as we dive into the production of definitive sockets using HP Multi Jet Fusion to close the loop and stay digital. In this session, we will review the current trends and common failures in the 3D printing space and lay out what can be done to level up and take this process into the digital era.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on completed PROMIS-Physical Function outcomes among adults seeking an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) intervention. This study highlights that the receipt of a new AFO, or replacement in cases where the current AFO is insufficient, can have a significant positive impact on physical function.

The purpose of this study was to calibrate items and develop short forms for the Orthotic Patient-Reported Outcomes – Mobility (OPRO-M) item bank. OPRO-M is the first item bank developed specifically for evaluating mobility of lower limb orthosis users. The instrument may be valuable to clinicians, as the abbreviated forms minimize interruptions to patient care and the items include situations that are likely to be affected by orthotic interventions.

Lateral thrust is a debilitating deformity of the knee which often progresses to osteoarthritis of the medial compartment. This presentation and case study will demonstrate the success that can be achieved with an innovative KAFO casting and bracing technique to realign the knee in all three planes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether walking efficiency (O2 cost) and deviations (e.g. excess swing plantarflexion, stance knee hyperextension, vaulting, circumduction, hip hiking) during continuous walking were reduced by a clinically-prescribed AFO and a ‘tuned’ AFO-FC compared to shoes alone.

Interim results from the C-Brace Registry reveal reduction in pain and pain interference in the majority of subjects. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale was used to measure pain at various areas of the lower limb, and the PROMIS Pain Interference Short Form 6a was used to measure the extent to which pain interferences with daily living.

In the O&P field, 3D technology enables the creation of individualized medical devices that are tailored to perfectly fit the patient's anatomy. After the acquisition of the patient’s 3D scan, the data needs to be processed before it can be used to design medical devices. A big challenge in processing the 3D data involves digitally correcting the patient’s joint posture to achieve a neutral position that can be used for fitting of a customized orthopedic aid.

Interim results from the C-Brace Registry reveal reductions in fall risk and in fall frequency in the majority of subjects. Timed Up and Go tests and the Activity-based Balance Confidence scale can be used to identify patients at increased risk of falls and inform clinical decisions.

This paper presents an electronic heel wedge calculator that uses trigonometric equations to mathematically determine initial heel wedge height, based on the goal shank inclination, the ankle angle of the AFO, and the pitch of the shoe sole. This calculator enables clinicians to design an AFO-footwear combination (AFOFC) in the precise alignment required to achieve the goal SVA for normalizing gait kinematics.

The information desk is open and available for any questions or badge related issues throughout the day on Saturday.

The speaker ready room provides a quiet space for presenters to relax or prepare for their presentation.

Attendee Breakfast

General Session

The Alliance workgroup will present a 30-minute session on inclusion/inclusivity as part of a positive workplace culture. We are thinking inclusion related to race, sexual orientation, ethnicity and other dimensions of diversity and how to promote and inclusive workplace.

Learn simple skills needed to enhance you communication with patients, referral sources, and your office.

All technicians and fabricating practitioners have been invited to share a 3-minute video showcasing their fabricating tip or trick. We invite you, the audience, to cast your vote for the winner. First, Second and Third Place prizes will be awarded.

Getting the Best Outcomes with an Interdisciplinary Team

Education about our physical and virtual computer environment is the keystone for keeping our patients’ and practice data safe. Knowing the questions to ask and the development of an action plan fulfills both federal mandates and accreditation requirements. Common sense policies toward our equipment and its use, and guidance for connectivity with the world outside our own domains can achieve these goals to create a productive, practical, “phishy” free workspace.

The next generation of O & P practitioners are faced with a unique set of circumstances. However, higher learning and residency programs are adapting to combat these isThe next generation of O&P practitioners are faced with a unique set of circumstances. However, higher learning and residency programs are adapting to combat these issues head on. An overview of the incoming student bodies of new and established programs will be discussed in addition to innovative education solutions. A presentation of the recently modernized VA residency program will also be included.sues head on. An overview of the incoming student bodies of new and established programs will be discussed in addition to innovative education solutions. A presentation of the recently modernized VA residency program will also be included.