On 25th April 2014 Proactive Prosthetics hosted their 5th seminar in a series of educational programmes for professionals involved in the rehabilitation of amputees. Nearly 50 Personal Injury lawyers and case managers joined a variety of speakers and patients to learn about the various aspects of rehabilitation. The day started with a talk by Richard Nieveen (prosthetist) on the principles of prosthetic fitting followed by a talk on new generation myo-electric devices by Kevin Shaw (prosthetist). Mr Norbet Kang (plastic surgeon) gave an excellent presentation on his experience with nerve repair and the potential for future prosthetic rehabilitation of amputees with advanced technology myo-electric devices. Dr Imad Sedki (rehabilitation consultant) spoke about the rehabilitation of amputees and Mr Scott Hodder (case manager) gave an insight to the role of a case manager in prosthetic rehabilitation. Lunch was followed by a practical demonstration of gait re-education in a trans-femoral amputee. Reconstructive amputation and the role of revision surgery was the subject of Mr Mike Saleh (orthopaedic surgeon) and Mr William Latimer-Sayer rounded up the day with a barrister’s perspective on medico-legal claims for amputees. A panel of speakers fielded questions and reflected on aspects of rehabilitation presented during the day.
The course was accredited by APIL Training and participants were credited with 6 CPD points.
“A fantastic day!” quoted one participant “nice to have a strong clinical focus – very interesting”
“Excellent and stimulating” said another and “Excellent day – fantastic speakers with great insight into the future…..each talk was engaging” from another participant “a good opportunity to see how the clinic works and meet the Proactive Team.”
Proactive Prosthetics plan to hold similar seminars in the future. If you would be interested in attending please contact us at:
clinic@proactiveprosthetics.co.uk
tel: 01252 702500
News
Seminar 2014
Following on from the success of our previous educational events and by popular demand, we are hosting a multidisciplinary prosthetic seminar.
“One of the most interesting and informative seminars I have attended” previous seminar attendee.
The Seminar entitled “Prosthetics the Future”: on Friday 25th April 2014 will provide delegates with hands on experience in a clinical setting combined with presentations from leading surgeons and practitioners.
Over the years we have learned the importance of education and witnessed the patient benefits of improving rehabilitation through such events.
The seminar is to be held at Proactive Prosthetics Clinic in Surrey and will afford each delegate the opportunity to see the latest developments in prosthetics and legal considerations.
We will facilitate discussion sessions with individuals who have been through prosthetic rehabilitation; allowing delegates the opportunity to discuss the issues and challenges directly.
There will be practical sessions with demonstrations of the latest micro-processor prosthetics, physiotherapy and workshops; completing a fascinating insight into the present and the future of prosthetics.
We are privileged to have among our speakers:
Professor Michael Saleh; reconstructive amputation and role of revision surgery
Dr Imad Seki; prosthetic rehabilitation
Mr Norbert Kang; targeted muscle Reinnervation – general principles
William Latimer-Sayer;
The seminar has been accredited by APIL and has been awarded 6 CPD points
In order to give as much access to our speakers and patients the number of delegates is limited to 25.
Please reserve your place by calling Nikki on 01252 702 500 or by email to clinic@proactiveprosthetics.co.uk
There will be a nominal charge of £100 for the day which will donated to the following charities:
Elizabeth’s legacy of Hope and Brain Injury is BIG
Ladies Day
On Saturday 1st of February 2014 Proactive Prosthetics hosted their first Ladies Day. The day was conceived as the team at Proactive Prosthetics observed many of their lady patients who enjoyed chance meetings in the clinic reception area. A day was arranged for their lady patients to have the opportunity to meet each other in a more relaxed way and have some interesting topics to discuss.
The day started with a thought provoking film called ‘Fitting Room Friends’ made by a team of amputee ladies from the Royal National Orthopedic Limb fitting Centre at Stanmore. The film followed a group of lady amputees who met and became friends at the limb fitting centre. It was both poignant and fun covering everything from what to wear to cosmeses and dance classes. The film, along with its many issues was discussed between the ladies.
Jane Hunter, Prosthetist and Orthotist at Proactive Prosthetics talked about some of the prosthetic issues particular to women amputees. Statistically, there are 3 times as many male amputees as females. In the Boston marathon bombing in April 2013 8 out of the 16 victims were women. Some new treatment factors emerged from the treatment including the need for more privacy, modesty and a sense of dignity in the evaluation process and a preference for a female prosthetist. Jane also talked about topics such as the best type of nail varnish to use on prosthetic limbs.
After a lunch during which the ladies had plenty of time to get to know each other a little better Stef Reid, Paralympic Silver medallist spoke about her experience of being a lady amputee. Stef became an amputee following a boating accident when she was 16 years old. She talked very openly about the effect it had one her at the time and how she was quite shocked about how big her prosthesis needed to be considering she had only lost her foot. She spoke about the clothes she wore then to conceal her loss and said that many of her new acquaintances had no idea that she wore a prosthesis. These days, of course, she has no desire to hide her prostheses, in fact she has recently been modelling designer clothes for Debenhams in her running blade. Stef then confronted the subject of relationships. She confided that the less concerned she became about her disability the more dates she was asked on. She is married to a paraplegic and admits that she found his complete comfort with his own disability made him more attractive to her.
Proactive Prosthetics Physiotherapist, Pam Barsby, led a discussion about balance and fear of falling and dealing with different environments such as ice and snow, rough ground, escalators and steps. The ladies enjoyed Pam’s practical approach to everyday difficulties.
The day came to a close with ladies swapping contact details having agreed that they would all like to meet again sometime soon. Among the many thank you letters received one lady wrote ‘I feel sure that we all took away some helpful nuggets which will shine at appropriate opportunities.’ Another wrote ‘You are providing a special place for people to be enabled to regain physical independence and to recover mentally and emotionally to live life to the full’. And another wrote ‘For the first time since my accident I felt part of a group of people who understand what Ii was going through.’
Proactive Prosthetics would like to thank the speakers Nicola Lane, Stef Reid Jane Hunter and Pam Barsby for making such an interesting day and to the lovely ladies who came for the day. Thanks also go to Elemis who supported our event by providing a beautiful bag full of goodies for each of our lady guests. Proactive Prosthetics will be arranging another ladies day in the Autumn this year.
Mont Blanc Success
Just back from the Alps and ‘a little beaten up’ but the good news is that last Wednesday at 11.15 Chris Head (below knee amputee) and Steve Monks made the top of Mont Blanc via the Gouter route without serious difficulty in around ten and a half hours climbing from the Nid D’Aigle. Beautiful conditions with fresh snow from 200 to 400mm making it pristine after the storm the previous day. Perhaps a tad windy and very cold early on.
Chris thanked the team at Proactive Prosthetics for their commitment and hard work in making it possible.
Running Clinic was Great Success
On Friday 31st May 2013 Stef Reid (Paralympic Silver Medalist – long jump), John McFall (Paralympic Bronze Medallist – 100m sprint) and Paralympic coach Tim Stevenson, joined nine amputees (aged between 7 and 56) for a running day hosted by Proactive Prosthetics. Most of the amputees were new to running , some of them trying running blades for the first time. One or two have specific goals in mind including Kiera Roche (an above knee amputee) who plans to run in the London Marathon in 2014.
The day, which started with some motivational talks and tips on prosthetic running techniques was followed by an afternoon at Charterhouse Club athletics track.
Stef Reid spoke of her love of sport prior to her accident and her subsequent return to sport and journey to becoming a Paralympian. ‘Don’t listen to people who say you can’t [do things], just do it,’ said Stef with a big smile ‘but do listen to physios and coaches who will teach you how to get fit and stay fit to do your sport.’ She added ‘As an amputee it is even more important to be fit and strong to enable you to do more in your life. It feels great …..I want to stay fit so that I can still walk when I am older.’
John McFall spoke of his Paralympic experience. Now, a trainee doctor, John sets himself different goals such as the Welsh 3000’s Challenge which he dashed off to do the next day. ‘I am off to test the limits of my new prosthetic knee!’ said John with a grin. ‘I am really pleased that events like these are happening. It is great to see the Paralympic legacy in action.’
On the Charterhouse Club athletics track, in glorious sunshine, the session started gently with some warm up exercises and culminated in a sprint race, long jump and hurdles. The amputees were joined by some family and friends on the track which made for a fun afternoon for all.
Tim Stevenson (coach) who held the undivided attention of the junior athletes for the afternoon was very inspired by the day. ‘I had a great day and I really enjoyed meeting all these budding athletes.’
Richard Nieveen, Director, Proactive Prosthetics commented that it was very special to see patients out on the track having fun. ‘We work with patients to make more possible. The Paralympic movement has increased awareness of possibilities for amputees and we are fortunate to be able to offer new technologies in sports prostheses for our patients. It is particularly good to see the next generation of budding athletes who will grow up using these new technologies.’
Sarah Hope, mother of Pollyanna (aged 9) said ‘Thank you for a truly wonderful day!!!! It was so much fun and Pollyanna loved it.’
Proactive Prosthetics would like to thank Charterhouse Club for the use of the athletics track for this great event. Charterhouse Club Commercial Director, Tim Ostle, said “We are proud to be able support Richard Nieveen and Proactive Prosthetics in the tremendous work they do for amputees and were delighted that the clinic’s first Running Clinic held on our athletics track was such a success.”
Running Clinic Date Announced
Following a number of enquiries about running and running blades after the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Proactive Prosthetics are to host a running clinic on Friday 31st May 2013.
The day will start at our clinic in Elstead, Surrey with a short seminar about the various aspects of running with a prosthetic limb. Our prosthetists Richard Nieveen and Kevin Shaw will be there, along with Stef Reid, Paralympic silver medalist and a running coach.
Following a light but energy giving lunch, participants will be taken to Charterhouse Club athletics track for some practical experience and advice from the prosthetists, Paralympic athlete and running coach.
All Proactive Prosthetics’ patients are welcome to join the day – there are no requirements other than an interest in learning to run or to improve your running technique.
If you are interested in learning more about the day please call the clinic on 01252 702500 or email clinic@proactiveprosthetics.co.uk