ISPO 2017

16th World Congress of the

International Society for

Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO)

08 to 11 May 2017

Leipzig, 03 May 2017

16th ISPO World Congress opens in Cape Town

Global perspectives on the use of mechanical and orthopaedic aids in treatment & specialist exhibition with fully booked floor space.

After Lyon in 2015, the World Congress of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) is, this time, taking place from 8 to 11 May 2017in South Africa, one of the world’s threshold nations. The exhibition space in the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) is fully booked, with some 120 exhibitors from 31 different countries. Alongside innovative developments in the orthopaedic technology sector, there will be a focus, in both the congress and the trade exhibition, on the all-round treatment of people with disabilities.

This prestigious World Congress takes place every two years, and for this, the 16th ISPO World Congress, it will be held for the first time on the African continent. It is being hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 08 to 11 May 2017. The congress promotes interdisciplinary discussions between international prosthetists and orthotists, doctors, therapists and engineers, who come together to consider developments and progress in treatments and therapies involving the use of prostheses and orthoses.

It is the ISPO’s policy to hold their World Congresses in different venues around the globe, where the event can raise awareness and facilitate the development of standards of service in P&O. Thus, when ISPO South Africa submitted its bid, there was general recognition of the need for the global Society to visit Africa. The hope is that the legacy of the event will help achieve the Society’s goal of access to technology for all, by both raising awareness and facilitating the development of services.

Upward trends in advanced technologies

Altogether, 120 exhibitors from 31countries are taking advantage of the ISPO World Congress in South Africa to present their new products in the orthopaedic aids sector. Alongside market leaders in the field of prosthetics and orthotics, suppliers of products and services relating to orthopaedic footwear technology, movement analysis, robotics and rehabilitation will also be attending. The largest single participant group comprises 21 companies from the USA. Germany is represented by 15 exhibitors, who are part of an official Federal German presence, in cooperation with the German industry association of the high-tech sector, Spectaris.

A total of eight companies from the host country will be attending the ISPO World Congress for the first time, on account of the event’s being held in South Africa, and will thus make their presence felt in their home market.Once again and this time with the South African subsidiary, DJO Global as one of the market leadersis represent. “Visitors to the trade show will be able to see the entire range of available products in Cape Town, from the latest high-tech products to standard treatment options and low-cost solutions. This reflects the objectives of the ISPO,” emphasises Project Director Helene Zapf, responsible for the exhibition.

On display will be advanced technologies such as the first 3D-printed foot prosthesis to gain CE certification, from the company Mecuris.Besides Ottobock andÖssur –

joint sponsor of the 2017 ISPO World Congress and, at the same time, one of its major partners – will present their highlights. Moreover, there is a large exhibition section covering possibilities and opportunities on the African market and in developing countries for treatments using orthopaedic aids.

Spotlight on treatment with orthopaedic aids worldwide

Under this year’s strapline ‘Assistive technology for all’, the entire congress will, once again, be setting a benchmark for the ISPO’s avowed intention of enabling all human beings to access the same opportunities to participate fully in society. Together with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the ISPO is organising the GATE Symposium, in order to bring this issue to the fore. Distinguished speakers, together with representatives from the government and from leading institutions, will discuss ways of improving access to high-quality and, at the same time, affordable orthopaedic aids. A particular highlight in this regard is also the “Knud Jansen Lecture”to be given by Claude Tarif, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Physical Rehabilitation Programme. He will speak on the subject of “Improving access to services for mobility devices: how to achieve it in low income countries?”

Blatchford Award: multidisciplinary teamwork honoured

The Brian and Joyce Blatchford Team Prize, this year, goes to the multidisciplinary team of surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and prosthetists from Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SUH), as well as researchers from the Chalmers University of Technology (CTH) and the University of Gothenburg (GU), for their project entitled: ‘The Search for the Perfect Substitution for a Lost Extremity’. The prize-winners also receive an award of € 15,000. The winning team consisting of Dr. Rickard Brånemark’s, Dr.Max Ortiz Catalan, Dr. Bo Håkansson and Dr.Örjan Berlinwill present an account of their work as part of the closing ceremony of the 2017 ISPO World Congress.

About ISPO International:

ISPO is a global multidisciplinary organization aiming to improve the quality of life for persons who may benefit from prosthetic, orthotic, mobility and assistive devices by:

  • Ensuring quality care and education of professionals for the benefit of patients around the world;
  • Promoting research and evidence-based practice;
  • Facilitating innovative and appropriate technology development;
  • Promoting international collaboration and consensus building;
  • Fostering exchange, high-quality knowledge and networking.

ISPO gathers representatives of a variety of medical and allied health professions related to prosthetics and orthotics i.e. prosthetists and orthotists but also prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) technicians, orthopedic surgeons, rehabilitation doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orthopedic shoemakers, nurses and biomechanical/rehabilitation engineers.

ISPO currently represents over 50 Member Societies (MS) and counting 3,500 individual members in over 100 countries around the world.

Press Contact:

Karoline Nöllgen, PR-Manager Medical Trade Fairs

LeipzigerMesse GmbH

Telephone: +49 (0)341 / 678 6524

Fax: +49 (0)341 / 678 166524

E-mail:

Twitter: @KNoellgen

ISPO 2017 on the internet:

Twitter: @ISPO_int