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From the Editor: What I’ve Learned...
By Karen Henry The January 2007 issue of Esquire magazine featured the
latest in the publication's "What I've Learned" interviews. In this
interview, 25-year-old triple amputee Bryan Anderson of Rolling
Meadows, Illinois, tells readers what he has learned since both of
his legs and most of his left arm were severed when a roadside bomb
hidden in a curb demolished the Humvee that he was driving in
Baghdad in the fall of 2005. Anderson's language is fresh, even raw
at times, and his descriptions are vivid and gripping. He brings
the reality of war home to thousands of readers with an honesty
that some might find disturbing. Anderson's perspective on life is
inspiring. His story shows that life can change in an instant, and
that people aren't defined by the changes they go through in life
but by how they deal with those changes.
This is just one of many stories that have comprised my
introduction to O&P since joining The O&P EDGE
almost two months ago. I look forward to learning more about
O&P and relating the many stories, advances, issues, and more
on the pages of this publication. This month, our editorial
highlight focuses on surgical solutions, trends, and techniques.
Miki Fairley begins with a look at osseointegration , a promising technique for
providing function and quality of life for amputees while
eliminating the pain and soft-tissue problems often associated with
conventional socket-type prostheses. However, at present,
osseointegration has a downside: the risk of deep infection, which
can lead to bone loss, loosening of the implant, and even a
possible need to re-amputate the limb at a higher, less functional
level. In her article, Miki consults with various groups that are
marshaling their forces to find a solution.
Miki also explores the Ertl
osteomyoplastic amputation surgery procedure . Anecdotal
evidence indicates that this procedure provides amputees with a
more easily fitted and functional residual limb for improved
quality of life. A research study is now under way to establish
evidence-based outcomes data.
Judith Philips Otto provides a discussion about the importance of
communication between prosthetists and surgeons in affecting
patient outcomes . She asks surgeons William J.J. Ertl, MD,
assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of
Oklahoma College of Medicine, and Daniel Fisher, MD, associate
professor of survey at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga,
and prosthetists David Baty, CPO, Dynamic O&P, Houston, Texas,
and Deane Doty, CPO, VP of Active Life O&P, Glendale,
California, to weigh in on the topic.
Our monthly online reader's poll (on the home page) invites you to give your opinion on
the subject as well. But please, don't stop there. Let us know what
you think about any of the articles in The O&P EDGE or
about the publication in general by sending an e-mail to editor@opedge.com . Your input is a large part
of what has made this publication so successful over the last five
years, and it is what will make it even better going forward.
Table Of Contents - February 2007
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