Physical therapy assistant students at American Career College-Orange County got a glimpse of the future this November with a in-class demonstration of the latest artificial limbs and prosthetics being developed.
The PTA students met and spoke with Madonna Ibrahim, an orthotic and prosthetic resident with Active Life, Inc., a Southern California-based company that provides prosthetic, orthotic and compression solutions.
Ibrahim showed various types and models of prosthetics and students were able to see advances in both patient fitting and technology, according to ACC-OC PTA program director, Dr. Janice Lwin.
“This first-hand experience lets future-PTAs see just what it will be like to help clients get fitted with proper prosthetic devices as Ibrahim does,” Lwin said. “As a profession, PTAs are able to fit amputees and patients with neuromuscular disorders with the appropriate devices to return them to their daily function.”
As part of the demonstration, students were able to touch, feel, and try some of the devices. Ibrahim explained how the items are manufactured now for proper fit and described the different kinds and styles of prosthetics prescribed to patients with specific needs.
