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

Published in Orthotics & Prosthetics on January 12, 2023

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.

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 Registry Whether 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

This 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!

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