Prof. Dr. Frank Braatz

Digital technologies are opening up entirely new horizons for our sector: tele-rehabilitation, apps, AI, AR/VR, and teleconsultations expand your opportunities to support patients in a more individualised, efficient, and often more motivating way. At the same time, practical challenges arise—whether in implementation, collaboration, or acceptance. From this symposium, you will take away the insight that digital solutions are not an end in themselves, but tools that you can use deliberately and critically. In this way, you actively help shape the future of modern care.

In the ePoster exhibition, you will discover a wide range of ideas from research and practice that invite you to gain new perspectives. You can explore and delve deeper into the content at your own pace – the digital exhibition is permanently accessible throughout the entire event. Short lectures allow you to understand the background, thought processes and practical consequences directly. You will take away a variety of approaches that will inspire you to look at challenges in a new light and enrich your everyday work.

How can research and practice be combined to make prosthetic solutions individualised, efficient and future-oriented? You will gain an overview of how modern socket systems and osseointegrated solutions perform in practice – technically, functionally and with a patient-centred approach. In addition, you will learn which biomechanical and material-based approaches make a difference in treatment and how to select the right solution for different amputation levels and life situations.

During the symposium, you will learn about the diversity of education in prosthetics and orthotics worldwide: from the ISPO-certified path in Ghana to the success story of the SSPO school in Thailand to the opportunities offered by the American Hanger network. Discover how training shapes quality and care – whether in the (German) dual system, in study programmes or on international paths. Use the insights gained from these lectures to re-evaluate the strengths of our German vocational training system and take inspiration for the future of your career.

Tools for Gait Analysis: You will learn the fundamental methods of gait analysis and, using practical examples, how to assess the biomechanical effects of orthoses and prostheses on walking patterns.

Digital processes offer great potential for efficiency, quality and patient satisfaction – if they are integrated sensibly. You will gain a practical insight into digitalisation in prosthetics and orthotics and orthopaedic shoe technology. The focus is on digital treatment processes – from data collection to implementation – as well as the necessary hardware and software. You will become familiar with current interface problems and initial approaches to AI use, and learn how to efficiently integrate digital systems into existing workflows in order to establish digital processes in daily practice.

You will learn about the standard surgical procedures used for lower limb amputations. You will also learn about important factors for amputation heights and understand what is important in terms of treatment so that patients can avoid potential obstacles. You can ask experienced surgeons your questions directly.

When is a treatment really good – and can it be proven? You will receive answers to these and similar questions: Testing procedures, standards and evaluation methods serve as reproducible foundations for measurable quality of orthoses and prostheses. Subjective assessments by test users provide insights into their effects. The results help you better evaluate the products – and invoice accordingly.