Learn more about the lower-limb orthoses offered by Boston Orthotics & Prosthetics, including profiles of the clinicians that fabricate and fit our lower limb orthoses, the conditions that can benefit from treatment with lower limb orthoses, and patients that are achieving their dreams through the use of orthotic devices.
Shawn Koehler is a certified orthotist who specializes in lower limb orthortics at the Boston O&P clinics in Annapolis and Lanham, Maryland. In this Q&A, Shawn shares how he was introduced to the field of orthotics, how Boston O&P’s lower limb orthotics differ from those offered by other companies, and his goals for his career.
To say the words “cerebral palsy” in regards to my child was very difficult. For a long time, since my son Carter's diagnosis in 2016, I was not prepared to tell people my son had CP. Maybe it's because I was afraid of people judging him or not giving him enough of a chance. I wanted so badly to make sure he had the opportunity to fight all of his obstacles.
The American Board for Certification (ABC) defines a certified orthotist as an allied-healthcare professional that is specifically educated and trained to provide comprehensive orthotic patient care. This includes the patient evaluation, formulation and documentation of the treatment plan, and designing and fabricating the most appropriate orthosis to obtain the treatment plan goals. The orthotist is also responsible for the fitting, modification, maintenance and repair of the orthoses.
Lauren Houle is a physical therapist, doctor of physical therapy, certified prosthetist orthotist, who specializes in pediatric physical therapy at Boston O&P of Weymouth. In this Q&A, Lauren shares how she was introduced to physical therapy, how bracing and physical therapy work together, and how her expertise in physical therapy has helped her provide better care to scoliosis patients.
Daryl Fornuff is a Certified Orthotist and the Clinic Director of the Boston Orthotics & Prosthetics clinics in Mountainside and Belleville, NJ. While Daryl himself has more than 20 years of experience in orthotics and prosthetics, his connection to the field goes back even further—to his late father, Donald Fornuff, whose career in orthotics and prosthetics spanned more than 30 years.
Matt Westlake joined Boston Orthotics & Prosthetics in 2018 as the Clinical Director of the Manhattan and River Edge, NJ clinics. In this Q&A, Matt shares how an injury changed the course of his life, how he learned about orthotics, and why he chose to specialize in rare orthopedic and neurological pathologies in children.
When Kaitlyn Arnold stood up for the first time in her first pair of hip-knee-ankle-foot orthoses (HKAFOs), her mom Maryam says her daughter screamed bloody murder. “Her life had been on the floor, so standing up terrified her.”
Todd Kirwan joined Boston Orthotics & Prosthetics in 2018, and calls orthotics and prosthetics a rewarding field that is a “great mix of art and science.” In this Q&A, Todd discusses how he chose the field of orthotics and prosthetics, why he particularly likes working with kids, and his biggest professional goal.