The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Howard R. Thranhardt Award are Andreas Kannenberg, MD (GER), PhD, Shane Wurdeman, PhD, CP, FAAOP (D), and Matt Wernke, PhD. The Award, established in 1996 by a gift from J.E. Hanger in memory of Howard R. Thranhardt, CP, has become one of the most distinguished honors in the orthotics and prosthetics profession, annually recognizing the strength in clinical research.
The lectures and awards will be given Friday, September 9 at 8am in conjunction with the 2023 National Assembly in Indianapolis.
“On behalf of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s 2023 National Assembly Clinic Workgroup Committee, I am proud to announce that Dr. Andreas Kannenberg, Dr. Shane Wurdeman and Dr. Matt Wernke are the recipients of the prestigious 2023 Howard R. Thranhardt Award. Their work will help improve and further the clinical care provided to the patients our profession is privileged to serve,” said Teri Kuffel, JD, President, American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. “Their presentations are a few of many exciting educational sessions at this year’s National Assembly. We look forward to congratulating and honoring them for these accomplishments.”
Kannenberg and Wurdeman will present “Microprocessor Stance and Swing Control Orthosis for Patients Dependent on a Knee-ankle-foot-orthosis for Walking: A Randomized, Controlled Crossover Trial”, the results of an international, multicenter, randomized controlled cross-over trial with 102 subjects comparing the benefits of the C-Brace to those of conventional KAFOs. C-Brace use resulted in significant improvements in balance, reduction in actual reported falls, and improvements in risk of falling, mobility, function, and quality of life.
Wernke will present “Upper Extremity Myoelectric Interface and Control Methodologies: A Single Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial”. The performance of upper extremity myoelectric prostheses and the satisfaction of their wearers is dependent on the interface and control methodologies chosen. The purpose of the research was to prospectively compare user performance and satisfaction while using these different myoelectric interfaces and control methodologies.
To learn more about the 2023 National Assembly and to register, visit www.AOPAassembly.org.