Program Outline

Technical Introduction (Boston based residents)

Residents will perfect their modification, fabrication, and finishing skills separate from the clinic environment
Week 1-3: Modification, fabrication, and finishing of LE/UE orthotics
Week 4-6: Modification, fabrication, and finishing of Spinal orthotics
Establish a research topic

Clinic Rotations

Predetermined schedule rotating through various clinics
All clinic encounters are under the supervision of certified practitioners
Develop a foundation for understanding the diagnosis, interpreting the prescription and following through with a treatment plan
Build an understanding of L coding, insurance coverage/policy
Learn to communicate/interact in the patient setting
Become familiar with NOPCO policies and procedures, build and understanding of clinic protocol
Follow through evaluation, casting, modification, and fitting on select projects

NOPCO-Longwood Medical Area (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)

Staff: 1 CO, 1CP, 1 Certified Fitters 2 technicians
Emphasis on trauma, orthopedic surgery, sports medicine cases, and inpatient involvement at local hospitals:
- Beth Israel
- Dana Farber
- Joselin Diabetic Center
Build familiarity with off the shelf bracing systems
Diabetic care

NOPCO-Burlington

Staff: 2 CO, 2 Pedorthists, 2 Technicians
Adult populations
Stroke, diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, etc.
Trauma
Spinal fracture, upper and lower extremity fracture bracing
Post op bracing, spinal, hip
Diabetic care
Intro to Pediatrics, Lexington Clinics, Gait Disorders, Scoliosis
Improving Modifying Skills
Improving Hand skills with tools, Sutton, Troutman, Metal Bending and etc

NOPCO- Children’s Hospital of Boston at Waltham

Staff: 2 CO, 1 CPO, 1 technicians
Located in the CHB at Waltham right next to the Orthopedic and sport medicine clinics. Having this proximity to the clinics the residents will continue to build up the communication skills with all of the medical staff
They will be treating patients with:
- Scoliosis (Boston Brace, Triac C and Charleston Bending Brace)
- Plagiocephaly (Boston Band)
- Club foot (Mitchell system and Dennis Brown bar with SLOT shoes)
- Knee injuries (ACL tears, Patellar Femoral Syndrome, Degenerative Joint disease and other pathologies)
Pediatric bracing, emphasis on custom. Observation, assisted participation, building on independent participation
Introduction to CAD/CAM scanning system, hand on casting techniques for all types of orthotics, proper use note taking, coding, and recording data

NOPCO-Children’s Hospital of Boston

Staff: 1 CPO, 4 CO, 2 technicians
Learn to practice independently with supervision & assistance with more complicated bracing systems, emphasis on custom and pediatrics. Residents will further develop skills with patient care, evaluation, casting, and fitting with a wide variety of orthotic care, while gaining exposure and experience with specialty cases
Cerebral Palsy and Myelomeningocele clinic using a variety of different orthotics
Use of CAD/CAM
Establish further familiarity with more custom bracing systems, specialty cases
Utilize on site healthcare resources; access to physicians, physical therapy, nursing staff & shadow through the rehabilitation process through all elements

NOPCO-New Jersey/Specialized Children’s Hospital

Staff: 3 CO,1 CPO, 3 technicians
Pediatric Orthotics
High volume of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis - as well as neurological scoliosis. The Majority of patients will be treated with Boston Brace and Soft Spinal Orthosis
CP Clinic – This population will receive lower extremity and upper extremity orthotics
We have our own fabrication lab. This will allow residents and certified practitioners to interact in fabrication procedures; they will improve modification skills as well as improving the use of different equipment

NOPCO-Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Staff 2 CPO, 2 technicians
Our clinic is conveniently located in the Children's Hospital of PA. The residents will be exposed to a variety of pathologies and their treatment
- Spina Bifida with soft TLSO
- AIS with treatment of Boston Brace
- Plagiocephaly (Boston Band)
- Pectus Carinatum (Pectus Orthosis)
Residents will be exposed to modification techniques, as well as the use of different orthotic equipment

Throughout Rotations

Journal Club

Monthly meetings in which residents present and discuss current events, research, and trends in the O&P field (Meetings are web based to involve all clinics)

Case Studies

Take place throughout residency and clinic rotations, with supervisors and fellow residents. Select case studies should be presented during Journal Club meetings to fellow residents and practitioners for discussion.

Extended Education

Residents are expected to participate in educational opportunities provided by BBI/NOPCO. Including and not limited to

Boston Brace training
Dynamic Movement Orthosis (DMO) training
Plagiocephaly/Cranial Remolding Training
Orthopedic Lectures by associated teaching hospitals

Research

Residents are required to pilot one research project. This should include research of history, literature, clinical application, relevance and conclusions. Publication and/or presentation at national or regional meetings is the goal of all resident research. Residents will have access to research materials through associated hospital libraries

Areas of interest include but not limited to:

Dynamic Movement Orthosis
Idiopathic Scoliosis
Plagiocephaly
Scanning CAD CAM Technologies
Compliance Monitoring