The State of O&P: Current and Future Research Initiatives

Published in Orthotics & Prosthetics on January 12, 2023

State of O&P

As practitioners continue to provide evidence to the value of prescribing and providing O&P to patients, practitioners continue to further scientific research. Research from the Amputee Coalition was recently released. The Limb Loss and Preservation Registry (LLPR) seeks to develop a national collaborative warehouse for data on people who have lost limbs and may or may not have access to prosthetics. 

The 2021-2022 Amputee Coalition Survey

The Amputee Coalition has shared the results of the largest survey to date of people with limb loss and limb difference (PwLL/LD). This is the first survey of its kind to address the community’s physical and mental health priorities and challenges often faced when accessing care. These findings will assist the Amputee Coalition with raising awareness and informing priorities to improve the quality of care that PwLL/LD receive.

Key Takeaways From the Survey12:

  • Identifying the need for pain management as well as improved sleep being a major mental health priority.
  • The need for age-appropriate solutions, as depending on the age of the PwLL/LD, the needs changed as well.
  • Physical health affects mental health, and vice versa.
  • There’s a need for increased resources to help PwLL/LD understand the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and navigating health insurance.

Amputee Coalition

Outcomes & Limb Loss and Preservation Registry

According to the Mayo Clinic, “the goal of the registry is to bring together validated, detailed
medical information so that it can be analyzed and applied to evidence-based treatment to make a better future for patients with limb loss."13

 Limb Loss and Preservation RegistryWhether it is because of a traumatic injury, disease, or congenital amputation, there are over 2 million people in the U.S. that have lost a limb, and that number continues to grow.

Registry data is being collected on:

  • Amputations and hospitalizations
  • Prosthetic fittings and providers
  • Patient-reported outcomes
  • Patient function

OPGA supports the development of the LLPR and encourages any practitioner or practice to participate. For additional information on the program or to participate, visit www.vgm.com/opgalimb-loss-preservation-registry.

Read the Full Report

State of O&PThis article was originally featured in the The State of Orthotics & Prosthetics:  2022 and Beyond. To read the full report, download your copy of the report here


TAGS

  1. orthotics & prosthetics
  2. orthotics and prosthetics

From Our Experts

2025 O&P Woman of the Year Nominations Now Open thumbnail 2025 O&P Woman of the Year Nominations Now Open The nomination period for the 2025 O&P Woman of the Year Award is open now through July 11. This award is open to all women who work in the O&P profession. Mobility Awareness Month: Celebrating the Impact of Mobility Providers thumbnail Mobility Awareness Month: Celebrating the Impact of Mobility Providers May is Mobility Awareness Month, a time recognizing the importance of mobility solutions, the professionals who provide them, and those who rely on them. Marketing: Avoid Overspending thumbnail Marketing: Avoid Overspending Marketing your business effectively doesn't have to be costly. The Impact of HHS Cuts to the ACL on the Limb Loss Community and O&P Industry thumbnail The Impact of HHS Cuts to the ACL on the Limb Loss Community and O&P Industry As we navigate the evolving landscape of healthcare policy, I want to address a critical issue that directly affects both the limb loss community and the orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) industry. OPGA, Össur Name Recipients of O&P Grants thumbnail OPGA, Össur Name Recipients of O&P Grants Avery-Claire Littleton and Nicole Bakovich have been selected as the recipients of two O&P grants. Celebrating Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month thumbnail Celebrating Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLLDAM). OPGA shares our deep appreciation for all those who make an impact in the lives of individuals with limb loss and limb difference. Shaping the Future: A Roadmap to Success in 2025 thumbnail Shaping the Future: A Roadmap to Success in 2025 Jeremy Stolz, CEO, VGM Group, Inc., shares key areas of focus at VGM — principles that are essential for any organization striving to grow and thrive. Automation and Tech Trends Shaping the Future of Healthcare in 2025 thumbnail Automation and Tech Trends Shaping the Future of Healthcare in 2025 The DME, HME, O&P, and CRT industries are turning to automation & advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, improve patient care, and streamline operations.