Optimus Prosthetics has provided continuing education credits to over 325 local therapists to 325 and 25+ facilities to representing over 20 therapy groups including some of our newest participants:  Kettering Medical Center, Liberty of Middletown, Riverside Rehab, and the Maria-Joseph Center. 

Optimus is in the process of distributing the list of therapy groups who have participated in the 2009 courses to its referring physicians.  Referring physicians who have put trust in Optimus Prosthetics for prosthetic care can put trust in the participating therapy groups to maximize the therapeutic outcome of their patients with prostheses.

Course 5 To Be Unveiled This Month!  As you can see from the calendar, five therapy groups are already scheduled to receive the 5th course, 'Transtibial Gait Training and Deviations'. 
Is your group scheduled yet?  Give us a call! 937-454-1900


Bacon and eggs anyone?  Diane Munafo of Harborside New Lebanon cooked breakfast for her staff as well as for John and Scott during the Amputee Mobility Predictor continuing education course. 
(WARNING:  PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE INSTRUCTORS).

A new therapy patient presents with an existing prosthesis that features a lock and pin but they cannot engage in the lock.  What do you do? 

There is a good chance that the patient's residual limb is swollen.  If the patient has a shrinker, have them wear the shrinker whenever they are not wearing the prosthesis. 

If they do NOT have a shrinker, don the roll-on liner 30-60 minutes before trying to don the prosthesis.  The compression from the liner may be enough to force enough fluids proximal that will allow the patient to engage into the lock. 

If they are still unable to engage, contact the prosthetist for an evaluation.  If the patient has sustained an increase in their residual limb volume, most insurance companies will cover a prosthetic socket replacement due to the volume increase.  The 'volume increase' is enough to medically justify the socket replacement. 

NOTE:  Do not allow the patient to wear the roll-on liner overnight... unlike the shrinkers, the roll-on liners do not allow the residuum to 'breathe'.

Questions? Give us a call!
937-454-1900

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Scott Schall and John Showalter participated in the 2009 WSU Alumni golf outing in mid-August. 

"When I heard that John Showalter was a WSU alumni (just as John Brandt and I are) and knowing that John Showalter spends quite a bit of his retirement on golf courses, the WSU Alumni golf outing seemed like a great idea", states Scott Schall.  "John certainly doesn't allow his disability to render him disabled on the golf course... he usually smokes me!" 

John wears a transtibial prosthesis with a pin and lock suspension, a College Park foot, and an Otto Bock torsion unit.  The torsion adapter features a rotation movement that allows John to 'follow through' on his golf swing. 
Click here to view this on Optimus Prosthetics' YouTube Channel!

Scott and John were paired up with Vern Shoemaker of Arrow Wine (a 1972 WSU grad, FAR LEFT) and Larry Chmiel of Heidelberg Distributing (FAR RIGHT).

 

Meet John Showalter (pictured far right with Scott Schall), a still-hard-working GM retiree and avid golfer!  2003 was a busy year for John; he retired from GM and graduated from WSU with a degree in Communications. 

John has golfed on and off since his early 20s but took more of an interest since 2003 when he bought himself a graduation gift... a new set of clubs.  You can find John these days volunteering at Community Golf Course as a 'starter' and at Kitty Hawk Golf Course as a 'ranger'.

1. Would you mind sharing how you lost your limb? 
   I was riding my motorcycle on Xenia Avenue on 5/14/88 when I was side-swiped by a car.  I crashed into a parked car and the crash bar on my motorcycle protected the engine on the motorcycle but not my leg.  I also nearly lost my arm when I collided with the mirror on the car that hit me.  I feel very fortunate that I didn't become a double-amputee.
2. Who most inspired you after your accident? 
   The nurses at MVH... they really cared for me more than just changing my bandages... they helped me heal in my heart.
3. How has your life changed since the accident? 
   I'm faced with a lot of challenges that I have to overcome and I've come to realize that I have to look out for myself.  I've become more independent which is necessary to keep my residual limb healthy which is essential in facing day-to-day challenges.  If I have a problem with my limb, it presents another obstacle.  For example, this morning, I edged my driveway and filled cracks in preparation for applying a driveway sealer.  It is a challenge but I'm thankful for being able to handle the challenge and it is only possible because my limb is in good shape today.
4. What are your personal goals? 
   Helping others.  I'm available to meet with new amputees, caregivers, or anyone else for that matter.  All of us face new challenges.  Like golf, you have to constantly push yourself to do better and try to hit the target. 
5. What advice would you give to other medical professionals? 
   Try to connect with each patient.  Clear your mind and think about a few things that may be going on in the patient's life other than just the medical issue at hand.  With this approach, you will establish trust with your clients, facilitate better communication, and positively impact the overall recovery of the patient.