designer
®
ISSUE
07
WINTER 2012/2013
this issue
National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel
Tamarack Flexure Joint Caps
Tamarack Resources
What’s New at Tamarack
New Bulk Flexure Joint Package Option
Orthotics & Prosthetics
Newsletter of Tamarack®
Habilitation Technologies
P.2
P.2
P.3
P.4
P.4
Case Report:
Stay in Touch
with Tamarack!
If you have any questions or
feedback, please let us know.
Telephone:
(763) 795-0057
Toll-free:
(866) 795-0057
Email:
info@tamarackhti.com
Website:
www.tamarackhti.com
Blog:
http://insidetamarack.wordpress.com
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Forefoot Ulcer Treatment Using
Neuropathic Boot and ShearBan
®
Charles Kuffel CPO, FAAOP,
President/Clinical Director
Arise Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN USA
The referenced patient is a
58-year old male who was seen
in my office on 9-18-2009 for
evaluation of a left forefoot ulcer that had been
present for the previous four years. Infection and
recurrent ulceration limited his ability to function in
his activities of daily living and he was relegated to
limited ambulation and frequent hospital stays.
This patient is a poorly controlled type II diabetic
who presents with sensory, motor and autonomic
neuropathy. His left foot is in a fixed eight degree
plantarflexed position and he historically wore
off-the-shelf shoes with no arch supports or
accommodative shoe modifications.
Following the initial evaluation, the patient was cast
then fit with a left neuropathic walking boot which
addressed his fixed plantarflexed position through
a heel lift which placed his shank at 90 degrees during
stationary standing. The sole was further modified
with a slight hindfoot rocker, a midfoot rocker
9-18-09
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1670-94th Lane NE
Blaine, MN 55449-4323
PATIENT IN
FORMATIO
N
Name:
Mr. X
Age/Sex:
58 yrs / Mal
Primary Dia
e
gnoses:
Type II Diabe
te
and recurren s with infection
Secondary D
t ulceration
iagnoses:
Sensory, mot
or,
autonomic ne and
uropathy
terminating just posterior to the area of concern
and a forcepoint forefoot rocker. The neuropathic boot
was fabricated to create a relief beneath the area of
ulceration to limit direct contact while standing
stationary. Additionally, ShearBan® (Tamarack
Habilitation Technologies, Minneapolis, MN USA) was
applied beneath the area of concern which followed the
motion pathway of the ulceration during ambulation.
His contralateral depth inlay shoe was modified to
address his leg length discrepancy caused by the sole
build-up on the neuropathic walking boot and the sole
was modified with appropriate rockers.
(continued on page 3)
11-22-09
PRESENT
Tamarack
Flexure Joint Caps:
The National
Pressure Ulcer
Advisory Panel
Membership
As of January 2013,
Tamarack Habilitation
Technologies will join
forces with the
National Pressure
Ulcer Advisory Panel
(NPUAP) Corporate
Advisory Council to
contribute and support
pressure ulcer and
shear research and
technology advancement.
For over a decade, Marty Carlson,
MS, CPO, FAAOP and his team have
been researching, developing, and
manufacturing friction & shear
prevention and relief technologies for
blisters, calluses,
and diabetic foot
ulcers. Tamarack
is committed to
providing simple
and highly effective
solutions for these
plaguing foot
problems, and actively educates
practitioners and students, worldwide.
Most recently, Tamarack’s Business
Development Manager, Wieland
Kaphingst, Dipl.Ing, CPO, FAAOP,
Biomedical Engineer,
presented about
shear management
at the Orthopadie +
Reha-Technik
symposium in
Leipzig, Germany.
In collaboration with the NPUAP Corporate
Advisory Council, Tamarack seeks to share
knowledge about the company’s research
and education efforts to promote greater
awareness and utilization of shear and
microclimate management solutions in
healthcare facilities.
If you’re interested in more information
about the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory
Panel, visit: http://www.npuap.org/
An Easy Way to Articulate Rigid AFO’s
Initially developed to provide an easy and effective solution
for creating perfect-fitting joint cavities for carbon fiber
braces, Tamarack Flexure Joint Caps are also ideal for
converting a rigid AFO to articulating, simply by attaching
the external mounting caps to the brace using the template
and hardware provided.
An additional benefit of the Tamarack Flexure Joint Caps
is that, by “encapsulating” the flexure joint between
two layers of material (the cap and bracing material),
unwanted rotation at the calf is significantly reduced,
resulting in more desirable motion control.
Looking for Continuing
Education Credits?
In addition, the Tamarack Flexure Joint Caps are
secured with two additional mounting components
per joint, helping to spread the impact forces over
a larger area; providing peace of mind that the joint
cavities will withstand nearly any rigorous activity
the user pursues.
Friction Management for Neuropathic Foot Problems is a
presentation developed by Tamarack Habilitation Technologies to introduce the concept of friction management. Topics
include orthotic and pedorthic intervention of neuropathic foot
problems, principles of shear offloading, technical aspects of
friction management, and more.
Tamarack Flexure Joint Caps are ideal for a variety
of bracing materials, work with free motion and
dorsiflexion assist Tamarack Flexure Joints, and
are available in 3 sizes and two color options.
To watch the Tamarack Flexure Joint Caps installation
process, refer to our helpful, step-by-step video:
Upon successful completion of a brief quiz, O&P
professionals will receive two, free-of-charge
ABC-certified continuing education credits.
http://www.tamarackhti.com/joints/caps.asp
To get started, please visit:
www.tamarackhti.com/frictionmanagement_PCE/
ShearBan Rivet
Cover Patches
®
This fall, Tamarack introduced a new,
larger size option for its popular
ShearBan® Rivet Cover Patches.
XL Rivet Cover Patches are 20% larger than
the standard 3/4” diameter patches and provide
more surface area for adhesion around Chicago
screws and other large attachment hardware.
ShearBan Rivet Cover Patches are easy to apply,
protect skin from irritation and offer a cosmetically
appealing finish on any custom or off-the-shelf device.
Part #749-7-XL
Part #749-7
Tamarack
Family of
Products
Tamarack Resources
®
Here are a few valuable resources we developed to
optimize your orthotic brace fabrication techniques.
All are available online and in print (upon request).
Tamarack Flexure Joint® Product Guide
®
Tamarack Habilitation Technologies
has developed a variety of O&P, allied
healthcare, and consumer products
over the company’s more than 20 year
history as a research, development,
and manufacturing company.
A step-by-step fabrication and joint installation guide with
28 pages valuable tips & techniques. Download online or
request a print copy for your facility.
http://goo.gl/noCs9
Tamarack Product Line Brochure
Tamarack
Flexure Joints®
& Hand Tools
Designing & Manufacturing Innovative Solutions Since 1990
MODEL 743
Tamarack
Tamarack
VariableVariable
Assist
TM
Assist™
Using Tamarack Flexure
Joint Joint
components,
the TVA allows for easy, continuously variable
adjustment of the dorsiflexion assist moment
TM
A
B
A
Tamarack B
Clevisphere™
Joint
D
• Adjustable design, from zero to nearly
3X the assist of standard Tamarack
Model 742 Flexure Joints TM
• Fully functional as a complement to
opposing Tamarack Flexure Joints TM, saving
money and reducing overall weight
• The TVA’s compact design offers users a
fully functional and cosmetically appealing
fit and finish.
C
Model 743 Kit Includes:
A Tamarack Variable AssistTM Joints
Available in Large & Pediatric size only
(85 Durometer Dorsiflexion Assist
Joint is standard)
B Molding Dummies & Nails
Overview brochure of the entire Tamarack
Flexure Joint® product line including joints,
external mounting caps, tools, and hardware.
D Cosmetic Patches
(ShearBan®)
Additional product information available at www.tamarackhti.com
How to purchase
Tamarack products
http://goo.gl/XfSxv
Contact Becker Orthopedic
Phone (248) 588-7480 | Fax (800) 923-2537
Toll free (800) 521-2192
Or visit BeckerOrthopedic.com
for a list of distributors worldwide
Consumer/Sports Medicine:
©2010 Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc.
Rev. 2 09/10
Made in U.S.A.
Tamarack Variable Assist TM is a trademark of Tamarack
U.S. Patent No. 6,824,523
Tamarack Part Numbers
A great resource for ordering joints, hardware, and more!
Features a detailed list of manufacturer part numbers, package contents, and hardware options.
http://goo.gl/wUHcT
ENGO® Blister
Prevention
Patches
Complex Rehabilitation:
CASE STUDY (cont’d from front)
GlideWear™
Seating
Interface
The sole modifications allowed for near
normal ambulation and the patient began
to increase the time he ambulated. He
was followed three times per week along
with his vascular surgeon for debridement
and orthotic modifications. Significant
healing and regranulation of the damaged
tissue was observable within the first week
and complete healing was observed five
months after initial evaluation.
He is now released from his neuropathic
walking boot and continues to be ulcer free.
He is currently being managed in modified depth
inlay shoes and custom accommodative arch
supports. The shoes have been modified to address
his left fixed plantarflexed position with resulting
right leg length discrepancy. ShearBan® use has
been continued beneath the area of forefoot concern
to reduce shear.
C Mounting Hardware
ShearBan®
GlideFree™ Transfer Board Strips
To learn more about any of our
products, visit www.tamarackhti.com
The success of this case relied on the recognition
of his fixed plantarflexed position and subsequent
management of addressing the direct pressure and
shear that was the culprit of the original ulceration
To read the full-text case study online, visit:
http://goo.gl/g1nVC
To Purchase
Tamarack Flexure Joint &
ShearBan Products
Worldwide visit:
www.tamarackhti.com/distributors
What’s New at Tamarack
New Tamarack Flexure
®
Joint Bulk Package Option
It’s been awhile since our last Tamarack Designer newsletter was circulated, but it’s
not for lack of exciting developments at Tamarack. We have been busy, designing and
developing new products, technologies, and literature to support the Tamarack
Flexure Joint® product line.
Tamarack is now offering a new Tamarack Flexure
Joint bulk purchasing option to reduce waste and
shipping expense. This packaging initiative supports
Tamarack’s mission to maximize value for our
customers and to be mindful of our impact
on the environment.
As this newsletter is finalized, we’re waiting for the first batch of pediatric Tamarack
Flexure Joint Caps to be ready for packaging and delivery to our distributors. This will
complete our line of standard externally mounted Tamarack Flexure Joint Caps. Plans
are already in the works for a new adjustable assist Tamarack Flexure Joint Caps option,
providing 20 percent more dorsiflexion assist than the standard dorsiflexion assist
Tamarack Flexure Joints.
Tamarack has also been busy with the development of a
unique fabric technology for the prevention and
relief of skin trauma. GlideWear™ is a unique
shear control fabric technology, first
developed for wheelchair seat cushions,
but with a seemingly endless array
of possible O&P and wound care
applications. Keep an eye out for
updates on GlideWear O&P products
on our website and social media sites.
Available in every model,
size, and durometer option,
customers can now order
their joints in 10 pair
“bulk packs”, eliminating
unnecessary duplication of
installation instructions and
packaging materials.
Each 10-pair package contains a
FREE set of Tamarack
Molding Dummies!
S!
BONU
Now available through O&P suppliers!
2013 O&P Trade Show Schedule
· Hanger Fair 2013 – Las Vegas, Nevada USA
February 4 - 8, 2013
· ISPO 2013 – Hyderabad, India
February 4 - 7, 2013
Share your Fabrication & Clinical Experience!
If you have fabrication or clinical questions or feedback about using Tamarack products, email
info@tamarackhti.com or call 866-795-0057 to share. We look forward to hearing from you!
· AAOP – Orlando, Florida USA
February 20 - 23, 2013
· AOPA World Congress – Orlando, Florida USA
September 18 - 21, 2013
The Tamarack Designer, Orthotics & Prosthetics Newsletter by Tamarack Habilitation Technologies
•
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1670-94th Lane NE
Blaine, MN 55449-4323
www.tamarackhti.com
Issue 07 / Winter 2012/2013