AOPA Conference

This past week, I had the privilege of attending the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) National Assembly. Although I am very new to the field (3 weeks exactly!) I wanted to take this chance to fully immerse myself and network as much as possible. I was able to meet practitioners, department heads, NCOPE and ABC representatives, researchers, and amputees who are all passionate about advancing the field of orthotics and prosthetics

I learned so much about the latest technologies, patient-centered approaches, and the future direction of the profession. I was also able to attend various presentations that were incredibly informative and only furthered my excitement about pursuing a career in orthotics and prosthetics.

One highlight of the conference was meeting Dr. Toyokazu Takeuchi. I had previously come across a research article published by ALPS, a major US liner, sleeve, and suspension company. His article, ALPS PROSTRIDE PROSTHETIC KNEE COMPARATIVE STUDY compared the ProStride® microprocessor-controlled knee to a conventional mechanical knee in a long-term prosthetic user, ultimately highlighting the clinical importance of microprocessor knees in enhancing patient mobility and quality of life. Dr. Takeuchi is among the few doing vital research needed to the further the field of O&P. It was an honor to meet and get to speak with Dr. Takeuchi.

I am grateful for the conversations, mentorship, and insights I gained — and I look forward to applying this knowledge as I continue on my professional journey!

Various sockets, foot attachments, femoral extensions, knee joints, and synthetic components from the conference