You may be greeted by some unfamiliar faces when coming in for your appointment at Northern Orthopedic Laboratory. These faces are those of the orthotic and prosthetic residents that have recently joined our staff and are working towards becoming ABC certified practitioners. In September 2015, Northern Orthopedic Laboratory, Inc. became an accredited residency site, through the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). The accreditation allows NOL to host and teach residents (recent graduates of Masters of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics programs) who are preparing to take board exams to become certified prosthetists and orthotists. NOL works directly with NCOPE and shares the goal of promoting and raising the standards of education in the field of prosthetics and orthotics. Residents at NOL work directly under the guidance and supervision of Donald Holmes, CPO, NOL Residency Director. Mr. Holmes draws upon his vast experiences in the O& P field to teach each resident the skills required to become a successful practitioner. “The main goal of our residency program is to provide residents with as many learning opportunities as possible. Our practice has a very diverse population of patients in both upper and lower extremity prosthetic and orthotics, each day residents will be exposed to new challenges and learning experiences.” Mr. Holmes said. “I feel that a true residency program aims to develop residents as both caregivers and as competent technicians who have the hand skills required to complete their own adjustments or fabrication, if necessary. I believe our program does a very nice job at accomplishing this.” NOL is not new to hosting residents, in past years NOL has hosted numerous residents who have matriculated to obtain their board certifications and become practitioners. We recognize the importance of residency programs in the development of new practitioners and look forward to contributing to the educational experience. For more information regarding the Northern Orthopedic Laboratory Residency Program, please contact Donald Holmes, CPO, NOL Residency Director at (315) 782-9079.

Northern Orthopedic Laboratory, Inc. proudly announces a Three-Year Accreditation award in prosthetics, orthotics, and pedorthics by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC). Both the Watertown and Ogdensburg locations have met the standard set by ABC to become fully accredited facilities. Northern Orthopedic Laboratory, Inc. is recognized for achievements in the areas of Organizational Management, Patient Care Standards, Quality Assurance, Supplier Compliance and Facility and Safety Management. This award represents the highest level of accreditation achievable in the profession of orthotics and prosthetics. “Northern Orthopedic Laboratory has demonstrated its commitment to the provision of quality patient care services by seeking and attaining ABC accreditation.” said Catherine Carter, ABC's Executive Director. “ABC has developed the highest standards for accreditation in the industry and is proud to include Northern Orthopedic Lab. among our over 2500 accredited patient care facilities.” Northern Orthopedic Lab. has been offering prosthetic, orthotic, and pedorthic services in Northern New York since 1981. NOL, Inc., offers a wide variety of services for adults and children. The services include upper and lower extremity prostheses; hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, arm, wrist, hand and spinal orthoses; cranial band remodeling; and pedorthic care including foot orthotics, lifts, and wedges. Northern Orthopedic Lab. holds a VA contract and has been a Medicare/Medicaid provider since its inception. The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics, Inc. has been credentialing practitioners and organizations since 1948 in accordance with established standards of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient care. A not-for-profit organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, ABC's mission is to encourage and promote the highest standards of professional delivery of orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic services. ABC advances the competency of practitioners, promotes the quality and effectiveness of orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic care, and maintains the integrity of the profession. For additional information about Northern Orthopedic Laboratory, Inc., or ABC, contact Northern Orthopedic Lab. At (315) 782-9079.

“Excruciating pain. With every step, I felt excruciating pain that started in my heel and radiated throughout my entire right foot, ankle, and lower leg.” That is how Jennifer Crossman described her past four years as she has struggled to deal with a fractured right talus bone that has failed to heal due to Avascular Necrosis (death of bone tissue as a result of lack of blood flow to a section of the bone). She has been seen by multiple orthopedic doctors and has tried various types of bracing in the past, to no avail. So, when she came into Northern Orthopedic Lab. in September, she was feeling less than optimistic that there was anything that could be done to relieve her pain. Jennifer was evaluated by Donald W. Holmes, CPO, who used his nearly 50 years of experience to design a brace that he felt had the best opportunity to allow Jenn to be able to ambulate pain free. “We designed a custom molded PTB (patella tendon bearing) AFO (ankle foot orthosis) which unloads the foot/ankle by transferring weight circumferentially along the medial tibial flare and condyle, similar to a prosthetic design that offloads the end of a residuum”, Mr. Holmes said. “We felt that if we could unload the stresses that are constantly placed on the foot/ankle when weight bearing and ambulating, then we could be successful in reducing her foot and ankle pain”. After explaining the orthosis design and concept to her, Jennifer was 100% committed. She was willing to do whatever it took to be able to walk pain free again. The process to receive a custom brace involves taking a negative impression of the leg (a cast which is then filled with plaster to create a mold of the leg), vacuum forming the polypropylene plastic core over the model, and then an extensive fabrication process of the brace in which padding, stainless steel ankle joints, and the PTB design is created. Unlike many facilities who use central fabrication sites to fabricate these complex types of braces, this entire process is done in house at Northern Orthopedic Lab. by our certified practioners and technicians. Prosthetic limbs are also fabricated on site. “When we evaluate and cast our patients we are using our hands to feel the bony prominences and landmarks on the patient’s leg” states Mr. Holmes. “This is crucial in the fabrication process because we know where the potential problem areas are and we can provide reliefs for them in order to prevent pressure areas from developing. This is something that is very difficult to do when you choose to central fabricate a device.” Jenn was back at NOL less than one week after she was casted for her PTB AAFO. She donned the orthosis and stood. Then, all at once, the tears came. Tears not of pain, but of joy and relief. The orthosis fit very well and functioned as designed to unload Jennifer’s foot and ankle as she stood and walked. “I was feeling hopeless, “ Jenn said. “The week before I received my brace I had to call into work everyday because I was at the point where I couldn’t tolerate the pain any more. I’ve been dealing with this for four years, so after I put the brace on and was able to walk with virtually no pain, I couldn’t help but cry.” Since being fit with the PTB AFO on October 15, Jennifer has returned back to her job at Indian River Intermediate School, where she works full time as a school nurse. She also states that since receiving the brace she has been able to increase her activity level, play with her children, and complete her all of normal activities with 95% pain relief of her ankle and foot.