Thursday, January 28, 2010

"Real Life Skin" visit Real Life Alloplastics, a division of Real Life Prosthetics




Our objective at Real Life is to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by disfigurement and amputation through the sensitive replication of natural anatomy.
Life-like alloplastic reconstruction not only aids in the ehabilitation of basic anatomical functions, but also helps restore emotional dignity and self-esteem, thus enabling affected individuals the ability to live more freely and functionally within our ever-growing social society.
It is our obligation, commitment, concern and search for perfection, for patients and physicians, that lead to the quality of our work. To serve humankind in the way we do, by restoring a person’s identity, is the most exciting and gratifying thing we can imagine.

Life & Limb Ministries Open House 2/12/10 & 2/13/10


Life & Limb Ministries Come let us express our deepest appreciation for your assistance in making our 2009 missions trip a possibility. Come see what you helped to acheive. Interested? Have questions? Come let us share our stories over some light refreshments.

We will be sharing our plans for Haiti!!

This is not a fund raiser. It is an awareness raiser! Look forward to seeinig you.


Date: Friday, February 12, 2010
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: 3435 Box Hill Corporate Ctr Dr., Suite D. Abingdon, MD 21009


Date: Saturday, February 13, 2010
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: 3435 Box Hill Corporate Ctr Dr., Suite D. Abingdon, MD 21009

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Visit YouTube to see a number of videos about Real Life Prosthetics

RealLifeProsthetics
January 19, 2010

http://www.RealLifeProsthetics.com
Because Real Life Prosthetics is committed to supporting medical professionals and their patients who require prostheses, we have set high standards for ourselves. An...

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Local native helping amputees in new role


By T.J. Turrisi


Amy Palmiero-Winters has had quite a journey over the past three decades. Since watching her first race with her father at age eight — and then running in her first event later that year — the 37-year-old Meadville native has covered plenty of ground.

Life & Limb Ministries Missions Trip 2009



If you are surfing the net visit Life & Limb Ministries at http://www.lifeandlimb.org

Even better visit Life & Limb Ministries on FaceBook to see additional photos and videos form their last trip between 2009 December 7, 2009 to December 12, 2009.


Life & Limb Ministries are a Christian ministry who's goal is to restore the physical as well as the spiritual life by providing prosthetic limbs and the gospel to the indegent people of Colombia, S.A.

60 prosthetics limbs have been provided over the last 8 years in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Please contribute to this wonderful non-profit organization: they can use your help.

care of
P.O. Box 1305
Abingdon, MD, 21009
Phone:410-937-9295

ALL SUPPORT IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE

Article: New prosthetics and orthotics research from J.A. Adderson et al outlined.(Report)

According to recent research published in the journal Prosthetics and Orthotics International, "The primary objective was to test the hypothesis that walking with a shock-absorbing pylon (SAP) decreases the peak magnitude and frequency content of the heel-strike-initiated shock wave transmitted to the stump (see also Prosthetics and Orthotics). The secondary hypotheses were that walking with a SAP decreases the heel-strike transient force between the ground and the foot and increases function as measured by walking velocity and subjective assessments."

"Seven people with unilateral trans-tibial amputations walked at self-selected speeds without and with a SAP. As ...


go to link for the whole story........



By Sheldon Scruggs
Times Herald-Record
Posted: January 13, 2010 - 2:00 AM
People tend to take a lot of things for granted.

For instance, take our hands. Every day, without thinking about it, we use them to grasp all kinds of objects. But suppose you didn't have an opposable thumb or were missing one or more fingers? Suppose you had no hand at all?

Accidents and diseases such as meningitis and diabetes result in 50,000 new amputations every year in the U.S., according to the National Center for Health Statistics. It's estimated that 41,000 people in the U.S. are missing a whole hand or arm. In fact, the most common upper-body amputations are partial-hand, where one or more fingers are missing..........

Go to the link for the whole story.

Hanger Orthopedic Group To Relocate Headquarters to Austin

BETHESDA, Md. Jan. 12 -- Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. (NYSE:HGR) announced today that it expects to report record fourth quarter sales of approximately $205 million. Given the higher than expected sales volume and continued emphasis on cost control, the Company expects to report earnings per share in the range of $0.35 to $0.38 for the quarter.

The revised earnings per share estimate represents between 35% and 46% growth for the quarter. Based on the new fourth quarter estimates, the Company expects to report approximately $760 million in sales and earnings per share in the range of $1.10 to $1.13 for the full year.

"Our employees did an outstanding job generating another record year of sales and profits," Hanger Orthopedic Group President and CEO Tom Kirk said. "I am very proud of their efforts and accomplishments throughout 2009."

The Company also announced the decision to relocate its corporate headquarters to Austin, Texas from Bethesda, Maryland. Hanger's new Austin headquarters will provide ample space for future growth, improved operational efficiency, and an enhanced quality of life for corporate employees. Austin's central location in the United States will also facilitate improved communication with Hanger's national footprint of more than 700 patient care centers and supporting operational locations. Before deciding on Austin, Hanger completed an analysis of numerous cities nationwide, including the greater Washington, DC metro area. The relocation is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2010.

"As the market leader of the orthotic and prosthetic profession in the United States, we promote creativity and innovation in our business operations. Our new location embodies this spirit and will serve as an ideal environment for us to continue our growth and disciplined diversification strategy," Kirk said. "Additionally, we are impressed with the professionalism and the support afforded to us by the State of Texas and the City of Austin in facilitating our decision-making process. Their outstanding assistance packages were a key element of this support. We would also like to recognize the helpful role played by the Austin Chamber of Commerce."

In consideration of its 130+ Bethesda-based corporate employees, Hanger is offering relocation opportunities for all eligible staff members who have an interest in moving to Austin, as well as comprehensive separation packages including severance agreements and benefits continuation for employees who choose not to relocate.

The relocation is expected to provide an excellent return on investment without having any negative material impact on operations. Additional information regarding the relocation, as well as details of the fourth quarter performance and guidance for 2010, will be discussed on Hanger's fourth quarter earnings release conference call at 9:00am EST on February 11, 2010. Call-in information will be available soon in the newsroom of www.hanger.com.

About Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.:

Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc., headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is the world's premier provider of orthotic and prosthetic patient care services. Hanger is the market leader in the United States, owning and operating 669 patient care centers in 45 states and the District of Columbia, with over 3,700 employees including 1,095 practitioners (as of September 30, 2009). Hanger is organized into four units. The two key operating units are patient care, which consists of nationwide orthotic and prosthetic practice centers, and distribution, which consists of distribution centers managing the supply chain of orthotic and prosthetic componentry to Hanger and third party patient care centers. The third is Linkia, which is the first and only provider network management company for the orthotics and prosthetics industry. The fourth unit, Innovative Neurotronics, introduces emerging neuromuscular technologies developed through independent research in a collaborative effort with industry suppliers worldwide. For more information on Innovative Neurotronics, Inc. or the WalkAide®, visit www.ininc.us. For more information on Hanger, visit www.hanger.com.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Diabetes Rates Continue to Soar

Diabetes Rates Continue to Soar

Diabetes in America is a big problem, and many people seem to be suffering from it. Recent studies have been conducted and all indications are that the diabetes rate could double in 25 years and spending on the disease will nearly triple. Between the aging population and the dramatic rise in obesity, the perfect storm for the rise in diabetes has begun. The cost of caring for diabetes patients is about $113 billion annually, while the projected cost could be in the neighborhood of $336 billion by 2034. About 23 million Americans are suffering from this disease today, and that is way too much. The projected amount in 25 years could exceed 44 million Americans, and that will certainly be a serious issue. Diabetes patients will be older and sicker and will require more expensive medical care, thus the costs will outpace the increase in cases by far.
Age becomes the biggest factor when talking about type 2 diabetes. Baby boomers are transitioning from middle to old age, and will drive much of the costs. By 2034, half of all direct spending in diabetes care is projected to occur with the 8 million Americans covered by Medicare. So while there is literally nothing we can do about the aging of our population, much can be done about the other major risk factor for type 2 diabetes disease, obesity. Obesity is certainly an issue in the United States and about 65% of all Americans are overweight. The obesity rate has doubled from 1980 to 2004, but it appears to have stabilized since then.
So while Americans continue to age and drive up the costs of diabetes in the future, there can be something done about obesity. Studies indicate that as little as 30 minutes of exercise five or more days a week can drastically cut down on the risk getting diabetes. People that take the time to cut about 7% of their body weight will be much better off. Doing nothing right now could cost billions in the long run. If there is anyone you know who is affected by this, then spread the word. Exercise can truly save your life.

Article by
Natilia Vermiz
natilia.meningitis.com@gmail.com

Best wishes,
James M. Wilson Sr., CO RPA