FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joy Klapp
Email: jklapp@AOPAnet.org
AOPA Announces 2025 Howard R. Thranhardt Award Recipients
Alexandria, VA (July 8, 2025) — The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is proud to announce the recipients of the prestigious 2025 Howard R. Thranhardt Award:
- Levi Hargrove, PhD, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
- Tyler Klenow, MSPO, MBA, CPO, FAAOP, Ottobock
- Russell Lundstrom, MS, Ottobock
The Thranhardt Award has become one of the most respected honors in the orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) profession, given to the best-in-show clinical O&P abstracts submitted to the annual National Assembly. It recognizes outstanding contributions in clinical research that advance evidence-based care and improve patient outcomes.
Established in 1996, the award was founded by an endowment from the Hanger Southeast Company in recognition of Howard R. Thranhardt, who was a lifelong learner and dedicated to the scientific advancement of O&P. The award is now supported by the Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Research and Education.
The award-winning presentations will be delivered during AOPA’s 2025 National Assembly on Friday, September 4 at 8:00 AM in Orlando, FL.
“On behalf of AOPA’s staff, Board of Directors and the 2025 National Assembly Clinical Workgroup, I’m honored to recognize this year’s Thranhardt Award recipients,” said Rick Riley, President of AOPA. “The work of Dr. Hargrove, Mr. Klenow, and Mr. Lundstrom exemplifies the power clinical research has to shape and elevate our profession. Their findings will directly inform better care for the individuals we are privileged to serve.”
Award-Winning Presentations:
- Levi Hargrove will present: “Phantom Motor Execution Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain: A 45 Participant Home-Based Connected Health Clinical Trial” – This presentation will discuss the results of a completed clinical trial evaluating a portable, take-home phantom limb pain (PLP) management system using virtual reality (VR)-based therapy. The study assessed the effectiveness of an electromyography (EMG)-driven VR system in reducing PLP symptoms in individuals with upper and lower limb loss. Findings indicate a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in pain over 32 weeks, highlighting the potential of VR-based therapy for long-term PLP management and telerehabilitation.
- Tyler Klenow and Russell Lundstrom will present: “Improvement in Walking Speed and Reduction in Falls and Risk of Falling in SCI Patients in the C-Brace® Registry” – The C-Brace Registry was designed to gather real-world safety and effectiveness data from patients fitted with a C Brace. A sub-analysis of patients with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) revealed that the C-Brace improved walking speed, functional mobility and balance confidence, reduced fall frequency and improved QoL in these SCI patients after one year of use.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear cutting-edge research shaping the future of O&P care.
To learn more about and register for the 2025 National Assembly, visit: www.AOPAassembly.org