magazine€¦ · Bauerfeind brand to life at the first flagship store in Australia.” Another...

“Quality also means taking time for patients” Experiences with the Spinova Support Plus back orthosis Page 36

“Informed patients know that lipedema hurts”The differences between lipedema and lymphedema and adiposity Page 32

“Keeping pace with techno-logical developments“Foot orthoses for diabetics – with Bodytronic ID:CAM Page 40

Conservative gonarthrosis therapyStage-appropriate use of supports and orthoses6

internationalmagazine

Issue 2018 | 2

SecuTec® OA

BAUERFEIND.COM

THE NEW SecuTec® OATHE ORTHOSIS FOR TREATING VARUS AND VALGUS OSTEO ARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE

FOR GUIDELINE-BASED THERAPY“We recommend use of biomechanical interventions as directed by an appropriate specialist. A 2011 SR and three recent RCTs evaluated the effectiveness of knee braces, knee sleeves, and foot orthoses in conservative management of knee OA.” 1 Biomechanical aids are a treatment option that is particularly suited for patients suffering from comorbidity.

WALKING FOR LONGER AND WITH REDUCED PAINthe achieved walking distance can be extended signifi-cantly and perceived pain is reduced by up to 36 % within two weeks of orthosis therapy 2

1 OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee osteoarthritis2 Reduction of VAS score by 1.6 points, unpublished observational study by Bauerfeind AG

36%LESS PAIN

I’VE GOT SOMETHING AGAINST OSTEOARTHRITIS

The trend toward personalized medicine continues unabated. As a manufacturer of medical aids, we would like to help as many people as possible with our products. In the case of the complex and highly individual-ized clinical condition of gonarthrosis in particular, we feel a special obligation in view of our core expertise with regard to knee conditions. The new SecuTec OA offers a wonderful example of what can result from this feeling of obligation: it’s an orthosis that provides ef-fective relief to pa-tients suffering from lateral or medial gonarthrosis, and it can also be flex-ibly adjusted to the patient’s anatomy and pain symptoms. Read our Focus feature starting on page 16 to find out how this new product supports stage- and patient-appropriate treatment of gonarthro-sis when used in combination with our knee supports, in particular GenuTrain A3.

Personalized treatments are also important for diabetics. Those who suffer from Type 2 diabetes in particular need to think about soft cushioning under the foot at an early stage in order to prevent further complica-

tions, and possibly even amputation. Our new ErgoPad ID:Diabetes milled orthosis serves as the basis for diabetes-adapted foot cushioning for patients in risk classes II to VII. The Bodytronic ID:CAM web application allows orthotists to individu-ally model the foot orthosis, after which it can be milled at our facility in Zeulenroda. Bauerfeind life visited a quality partner who has been using Bodytronic ID:CAM from the very beginning and is very pleased by

the expansion of the range of milled orthoses that we offer for diabetics. Find out more on page 40.

Many physicians can report based on their own experience on just how personalized

the diagnosis of swollen legs has become. This is important because very different types of ailments can remain hidden behind the first noticeable symptoms. The German Hamburg-based specialist Dr. med. Gabriele Faerber offers some tips on pages 32-33 on how to differentiate between lipedema, lymphedema, and adiposity.

Finally, I would like to call your attention to the newly designed website for our

corporate magazine, which is now avail-able in English as well. At www.bauerfeind-life.com, you’ll not only find the online versions of articles from the latest print issue; you can also use a search function to find other relevant life articles for your keywords.

I hope you enjoy reading this new issue of Bauerfeind life – both online and offline!

With warm regards,

Prof. Hans B. Bauerfeind

“In the case of the complex and highly individualized clinical condition of gonarthrosis, we feel a special obligation in view of our core expertise with regard to knee conditions.”

Dear readers,

life magazine 2018/2 3

EDITORIAL

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Arthrosis of the knee (gonarthrosis) is one of the most common symptoms of joint wear. In its relatively early stages (as shown in the image on the right) it can usually be treated conservatively.

Focus: Knee relief with stage-appropriate gonarthrosis therapy – Page 16

Focus Page 16

16 Stage-appropriate gonarthrosis therapy Knee relief18 SecuTec OA at the Trimedic health center “The orthosis, not the osteoarthritis, has my

knee in its grip”20 Gonarthrosis therapy

Conservative risk management21 SecuTec OA knee orthosis Perfect fit for gonarthrosis 22 GenuTrain A3 at a medical supply retailer “Breaking the pain-surgery-TEP chain”

4 life magazine 2018/2

IMPRINT:

Bauerfeind life magazineFrequency of publication: Three times per yearPrinted on chlorine-free paper

Editor:Bauerfeind AGTriebeser Straße 1607937 Zeulenroda-Triebes, GermanyTel.: +49(0)[email protected], www.bauerfeind-life.de

Authors and editorial board for this issue: Jürgen Baden, Kristina Bardele, Dr. Uwe Berendt , Anne Broßmann, Silvia Dethloff-Kuntze, Bernd Festerling, Eckhard Freund, Clivia Frommhold, Simone Gebler, Kirsten Göpel , Markus Gräßer, Falk Henning, Peggy Kajrjakow, Michael Kießling, Dr. Anselm Koopmann, Dr. Antje Mark, Susanne Neubauer, Miriam Riedl , August Sauerhammer, Dr. Rainer Scheuermann, Sandra Schirbel , Michael Ullrich, Dr. Christian Weyer

Publisher and editorial office:mk publishing GmbH Döllgaststraße 7–9, 86199 Augsburg, Germany Tel.: +49(0)821-34457-0 [email protected], www.mkpublishing.deArticles whose author is specified reflect the opinions of their author, not those of the publisher. Reprinting in whole or in part only with written permission of the publisher.

About the cover image

CONTENTS

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www.bauerfeind-life.de


www.mkpublishing.de

Spinova Support Plus in action – Page 36 Joie de vivre in Montreal – Page 44

Medical Page 24

24 Swiss wrestling king Matthias Glarner Back in the arena26 Partnership with the Fluminense Football Club That certain something28 ErgoPad weightflex 2 in Mexico A new world of foot orthoses30 Bauerfeind pre-symposium at the

IUP World Congress Lymphedema – a multi-factor ailment 32 The differences between lipedema and

lymphedema and adiposity “Informed patients know that

lipedema hurts”

Portrait Page 34

34 Prof. Dr. med. Jens Ellrich From Medical Valley to Medical Affairs

Retail Page 36

36 Medical supply retailer with Spinova Support Plus in a hospital

“Quality also means taking time for patients”

38 Occupational health management at Deutsche Lufthansa AG

“A complete success” 40 Foot orthoses for diabetics –

with Bodytronic ID:CAM “Keeping pace with technological

developments“43 Bauerfeind advertising materials shop Just a few clicks to get the item

you need

Place to be Page 44

44 On the road in eastern Canada Joie de vivre in Montreal

IUP: Lymphedema Symposium – Page 30 OHM at Lufthansa AG – Page 38


3 Editorial

4 Imprint

6 World of Bauerfeind

12 News

48 Contact

50 People

CONTENTS


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Traditional Swiss sportSwiss wrestling has been a national sport in Switzerland for centuries. The object of this variant of wrestling is to use various grips and swinging movements to pin your opponent on his back. Matthias Glarner, the reigning Swiss wrestling cham-pion, is particularly good at this. The photo shows him (on top) during his most recent triumph at the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Games Festival in Estavayer-le-Lac in August 2016. Find out on page 24 how Matthias Glarner plans to make a comeback following his fall from a gondola. †


WORLD OF BAUERFEIND

OT World trade fairA total of 570 exhibitors from 43 coun-tries gathered in Leipzig (Germany) in mid-May to present their latest prod-ucts at OT World, the world’s leading trade fair for orthopedics technology. The Bauerfeind AG stand attracted a lot of attention with its main theme of customization and digitization of medical aid supply systems. Among other things, Bauerfeind presented the new SecuTec OA, a slim orthosis for

patients with moderate to advanced gonarthrosis and misalignments, as well as a therapy app featuring individual exercise programs for people with knee problems that’s been recognized as a medical product. Other major attention-getters at the stand were German artistic gymnast Andreas Toba and “The Saxonz” breakdancing group from Dresden (Ger-many). Read more about OT World on page 50. †


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WORLD OF BAUERFEIND

Bauerfeind flagship stores open in Sydney and São Paulo

➊ Supports, orthoses, foot orthoses, and compression stockings from Bauerfeind are now also available in Sydney (Australia). The Bauerfeind distributor Motion is Life opened a modern flagship store on March 6, 2018, in the heart of the city’s Central Business District (227 Elizabeth Street), right across from Hyde Park. Customers can also have their measurements taken with the Bodytronic 600 3D measuring system at the flagship store in Sydney. “Bauerfeind products combine form and functionality in a unique way,” says Walid Yassine, Managing Director of Motion is Life (top photo, left). “They not only look good; they are also high-quality medical products that are based on extensive research and development. What more can you ask for? It’s form and functionality all in one!” Walid Yassine, who was thrilled by the collabo-ration on the shop’s design with our colleagues in Zeulenroda, adds: “The support we received with regard to 3D design helped us a lot in bringing the Bauerfeind brand to life at the first flagship store in Australia.”

➋ Another flagship store opened on March 18, 2018, in São Paulo (Brazil) – in the posh district of Moema (Avenida Agami, 369), right near the popular Parque Ibirapuera. The store, which is operated by Bauerfeind distributor BFND Artigos Esportivos Ltda., offers supports, orthoses, foot orthoses, and compression stockings in a showroom with an area of 110 sqm. Measurement technology is used in this store as well , and qualified service personnel also individually adjust orthopedic orthoses for customers directly in the shop. Says Managing Director Fernando Pasqualin (fourth from left in back in the group photo): “Working with Bauerfeind is a special experience for me. Bauerfeind is a well-known leader in Brazil when it comes to high-quality products and technologies. Seeing how we help people every day and hear-ing about the positive feedback we receive from physicians – all of this is a wonderful source of motivation for me and my team.” A 3D design developed in Zeulenroda was also used for the store in São Paulo. †


WORLD OF BAUERFEIND


SecuTec Genu is a useful component for the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the knee joint. This is the result of a German case series with 72 patients who primarily received postoperative treatment. The case series was conducted by Dr. med. Hendrik Baum, Deputy Senior Physician in the Department for Orthope-dics and Trauma Surgery at Altenburger Land Hospital , and Ingo Friedl , Managing Director of Sanitätshaus Altenburg GmbH. The physician was very pleased with the orthosis’ performance in 93 percent of treatments. In five cases during the assessment period, using the orthosis even helped to avoid surgery. The orthotist considered the individual adaptability of the orthosis to be good or very good in 87.5 percent of cases. A total of 95.8 percent of the patients reported that SecuTec Genu was either comfortable or very comfortable to wear. Furthermore, it was confirmed by 98.6 percent of the patients that the orthosis provides secure stabilization and a strong feeling of protection. If you are interested in the digital whitepaper about the case series (available in German and English), please contact the Bauerfeind field sales team or send an e-mail to [email protected]. †

SecuTec Genu knee orthosis

Patients attest a strong feeling of protection

Bauerfeind life magazine

A new design, improved user-friendliness, and interesting additional features – the Bauerfeind life magazine website has undergone an extensive relaunch. The new website also now has an English version, which will allow even more people to read the most important articles and reports from the latest issues online. An extensive archive also makes it possible to access older articles using a search function with keywords. www.bauerfeind-life.com/en †

New website in German and English

MalleoLoc L and MalleoLoc L3 ankle orthoses

The MalleoLoc L and MalleoLoc L3 ankle orthoses, which provide lateral stabilization, are now eligible for reimbursement by statutory health insurance companies in Germany through the use of medical aid num-bers. MalleoLoc L can be prescribed by physicians without any budgetary consequences as a stabilizing ankle orthosis under the ten-digit number 23.02.02.1042 and invoiced to a health insurance company by the ser-vice provider. The removable MalleoLoc L3 ankle orthosis is now included in the group of ankle orthoses for mobilization and is listed in the German Medical Aids Directory under the number 23.02.04.0010. Due to their one-sided stabilization concept , the new ankle orthoses are very flat and also have a slim design. They can therefore be worn while wearing sports shoes – and even business shoes. MalleoLoc L stabilizes using an L shell and securing straps. MalleoLoc L3 combines the L shell and straps with an additional compression support. Its elements can be removed gradually in order to ensure safe mobilization during the treatment period. †

Now reimbursable

SecuTec Genu uses the 4-point principle to provide reliable stabilization.

Read Bauerfeind life online in German and English.

Now in the German Medical Aids Directory: the MalleoLoc L (left) and MalleoLoc L3 ankle orthoses.


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New colorsThe VenoTrain business knee-high compression stocking is now available in the colors caramel , black, navy, and anthracite. This means that following VenoTrain micro and VenoTrain look, another stocking from the VenoTrain basic range of products has now been aligned with the new Bauerfeind color system. The cotton lining is particularly smooth and kind on the skin. The wearing comfort is further enhanced with a broad, comfortable calf band and comfort heel , as well as a reinforced sole with Timbrelle high-tech fiber for a fresh and healthy foot climate. With its classic ribbed design, the medical compression stocking is perfect for everyday office wear and an ideal accessory for both men and women. †

Occupational health management

New brochure on medical aids for occupational medicine

No matter what professional group a person belongs to, he or she will always be exposed to health risks at work. Whether it’s physically demanding work, forced posture, repeated actions, or long periods of standing or sitting – as people age, they increasingly experience problems with joints and ligaments, which can significantly impact their functional performance. In view of the positive experiences associated with the use of orthopedic aids in occupational health management (OHM), Bauerfeind AG has conducted a series of observational stud-ies in various business sectors throughout Germany. These studies focused on the preventive use of knee, hand, and back supports, as well as compression stockings, in a work setting. As was confirmed by company physicians, health managers, and safety specialists at the companies that participated in the studies, all of these products provide quick allevia-tion of existing symptoms, promote individual functional performance, and generally enhance personal wellbeing. In addition, participating employees’ intake of painkillers decreased significantly in some cases and no one experienced any undesirable side effects or functional restrictions. Many participating employees were surprised by the high level of comfort the orthopedic aids offer, as well as their attractive design and immediate effect , especially as compared to prod-ucts from discount stores and the participant’s own previous preventive efforts. A brochure that provides details on the studies and additional information will soon be published for human resource and health managers, as well as physicians. The German version will be released in July, while the English version will be published in September. Both can be ordered for free from the Bauerfeind field sales team or by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. †

Orthopedic aids can help alleviate pain symptoms and promote better health – which benefits both employees and employers.

VenoTrain business in caramel and anthracite.

VenoTrain business compression stocking


NEWS

The Bauerfeind Quality Partner Advisory Board is a groundbreaking body that gives medical retailers a powerful voice. The board has agreed to reorganize its structure starting in 2019. This means that this fall , nine of the board’s total of 15 members will be elected from among the quality partners, each for a term of four years. The electoral districts have been worked out to ensure that each member of the advisory board will be representing a similar number of quality partners. The other six members of the advisory board will be appointed by Bauerfeind AG. Quality partners who wish to join the board can register as candidates up until October 12 (a separate announcement will be made in September). The election will be held by secret ballot and coordinated by a special trustee. †

German elections in the fallBauerfeind Quality Partner Advisory Board

The differential diagnosis of chronically swollen legs is one of the most frequent tasks performed in phlebological medicine. Physicians in this field often face major challenges, having to answer questions such as: does the patient suffer from lipedema, which requires treatment , or from lipohypertrophy, which does not? Is the condition in question perhaps secondary lymphede-ma conditioned upon adiposity? Which treatment is indicated under which conditions? Dr. med. Gabriele Faerber, member of the Lipedema Guidelines Commission of the German Society of Phlebology, has drawn up the “Lipedema – Lipohypertrophy – Adiposity” guideline in cooperation with Bauerfeind in order to provide practitioners with answers to these questions. Note: you can read an extensive interview with Dr. med. Gabriele Faerber starting on page 32. †

A careful clinical diagnosis is a must.

For mounting and displaying supports, braces, and compression products.

More than 1,100 Bauerfeind quality part-ners are eligible to vote for new Quality Partner Advisory Board members this fall.

Guide to lipedema, lipohypertrophy, and adiposity

The swollen leg problem

FlexBooster display system

The new FlexBooster display system now allows Bauerfeind retailers to present compression arm sleeves, as well as orthopedic hand and elbow products. In combination with the long mannequin arm, the stainless-steel stand-up display can be used to present the ManuTrain wrist support , EpiTrain elbow support , EpiPoint elbow strap, and the VenoTrain soft and VenoTrain curaflow arm sleeves. The FlexBooster system is available in two variants – as a stand-alone set and as a supplement to “all-rounder sets.” It can be ordered at [email protected]. Good to know: the following mannequin body parts are available in addition to the mannequin arm: mannequin legs for knee products and VenoTrain compression stockings, and a mannequin hip for the SacroLoc pelvic orthosis. †

New stand-up display for hand and arm products


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July 2018

July 25-27, 2018 BIT’s 5th Annual World Congress of ORTHOPAEDICS-2018 (WCORT), Milan (Italy), http://www.bitcongress.com/wcort2018/

August 2018

August 30-September 1, 20189. Zeulenroda Congress for Orthopedics & Sports Orthopedics, Zeulenroda (Germany), zkos.de

September 2018

September 21-22, 2018 44th congress of the European Society of Lymphology and LYMPHO 2018, Prag (Czech Republic), www.eurolymphology.org/esl-2018

September 26-29, 2018 60. Annual conference of the German Society of Phlebology, Bielefeld (Germany), phlebologie-2018.de

October 2018

October 4-6, 201842. Annual Congress of the German Society of Lymphology, Cottbus (Germany), lymphologie-kongress.de

October 10-13, 201839. Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie, Orthopaedic World Congress, Montreal (Canada), sicot.org

October 11-13, 201859. Congress of the German Society of Hand Surgery, Mannheim (Germany), dgh-kongress.de

October 23-26, 2018German Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Berlin (Germany), dkou.org

November 2018

November 9-10, 2018 34. Trauma Surgery Seminar of the Ger-man Social Accident Insurance association, Frankfurt am Main (Germany), dguv.de

November 23-24, 2018 7. Annual Congress of the German Knee Society, Munich (Germany), knie-komplex.de

November 24, 201811. Freiburg Wound Symposium, Bad Krozingen (Germany), freiburger-wundsymposium.de

MalleoTrain Plus ankle support

MalleoTrain Plus contributed to regaining better stability in 215 docu-mented cases in an international non-interventional study on medical aid treatment for sports injuries that was conducted from July 2015 to March 2016. The analysis of the patient case series from study centers in Germany, Italy, Canada, Austria, Poland, and Singapore is now available

as a digital white paper. Most of the patients were treated with the ankle support following supination trauma caused by stumbling or slipping dur-ing exercise or everyday activities. Around 20 percent of patients suffered from chronic instability or osteoar-thritis of the ankle joint. Whether it was used in combination with other forms of treatment such as pain relief or physiotherapy, or as the sole treat-ment method: patients who used MalleoTrain Plus returned to the same feeling of stability they had before their injury. At the end of therapy, almost 90 percent of patients rated the stabilizing effect of the support as

good to very good. 90.8 percent said that they experienced no or no major restrictions regarding mobility in their daily lives. The ankle’s range of mo-tion was found to have improved significantly in terms of dorsal extension. The majority of patients also perceived pain relief to be good or very good. The share of patients who took pain medication decreased from 63.9 per-cent at the start of the survey to just 39.8 percent at the end. MalleoTrain Plus provides stabilization for the ankle via three components: a compres-sion knit that activates the muscles, anatomically shaped pads, and an adjustable strap system that is wound in a figure of eight and has an effect similar to a tape bandage. The support protects patients against sprains without restricting the foot’s dorsal extension and plantar flexion. If you are interested in the digital whitepaper about the case series (available in German and English), please contact the Bauerfeind field sales team or send an e-mail to [email protected]. †

Results of international non-interventional study now available

Nearly 90 percent of the patients studied reported a good to very good feeling of stability with MalleoTrain Plus:

Very good

36.4

46.2

13.8

3.6

49.4

39.9

8.22.5

Good Satis-factory

Not very good

No effect

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Average stabilization in treatment with the support

70

60

50

40

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T2 = in the course of treatment

IMPORTANT DATES


The new SecuTec OA: Targeted relief for less symptoms of wear, less pain

and more mobility.

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FOCUS

Stage-appropriate gonarthrosis therapy

Knee reliefOsteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring joint disease worldwide, but it does not follow a common pattern. For example, people with severe osteoarthritis of the knee (gonarthrosis) can sometimes walk for long distances without any discomfort whatsoever. In addition, sometimes the joint looks normal , while at other times it becomes extensively swollen. The findings and symptoms of gonarthrosis are as different as the people who suffer from it. However, such differences can cause people to question whether the gradual destruction of the joint is really an unstoppable process after all. To them, it seems that knee relief is possible, even if only temporarily.

Gonarthrosis differs among individuals and must be treated in a stage-appropriate manner. Bauerfeind targeted painful areas in mild cases of gonarthrosis when it launched the first generation of GenuTrain back in 1981. The GenuTrain A3 model expanded the proprioceptive effect to cover typical pain-sensitive areas in the knee. A new individually adjustable orthosis is now available to provide relief for those who suffer from advanced gonarthrosis – SecuTec OA. This model for lateral or medial gonarthrosis enables the necessary adjustment of both varus and valgus settings in one product , thereby providing much-needed relief to the painful knee compartment. With its GenuTrain supports and the SecuTec OA model , Bauerfeind is utilizing its expertise in gonarthrosis treatment to achieve a major objective: the preservation of the knee joint. †


FOCUS

SecuTec OA at the Trimedic health center

“ The orthosis, not the osteoarthritis, has my knee in its grip”The Trimedic health center utilizes a three-pillar model consisting of prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. Long-term patients at the facility in Karlsruhe (Germany) tested the new SecuTec OA – with successful results.

The Trimedic health center’s holistic treat-ment concept is reflected in the facility’s layout: everything is connected. The train-ing room, which is flooded with light , is equipped with treadmills and ergometers. From the training room, one can enter a functional area that is used for individual performance and strength tests, and this area in turn leads to treatment rooms containing special equipment. A broad stairway leads up to the physiotherapy and occupational therapy unit whose large and bright group rooms have enough space to accommodate individual treatment sessions. Staff members can be seen here talking with clients, and in general the atmosphere is

always bustling and friendly at Trimedic, the Karlsruhe-based center for physiotherapy and rehabilitation. It’s therefore not surpris-ing that Wilfried Zabel has been coming here for 20 years. Wilfried Zabel , a slim 78-year-old, mostly trains on the leg press in order to strengthen his thigh and buttock muscles and thus stabilize his knee as well , as Wilfried Zabel performs all of this strength training to keep his gonarthrosis in check. “I used to work with more weight ,” says the am-bitious senior somewhat regretfully. “These days, I have to be satisfied with less – that’s just the way it is.”

Varus alignment with high instabilityWilfried Zabel is by no means resigned to his fate, however. Up until now, he has been able to achieve his most important goal , which is “no operation!” Given the advanced stage of gonarthrosis he suffers from (grade IV), that’s pretty remarkable, says Isabelle

“I can walk for a longer period of time and I now feel less pain.”

(Wilfried Zabel)

Grade IV patient Wilfried Zabel with a SecuTec OA orthosis in the

Trimedic functional area.


FOCUS

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Heeger, a sports scientist who works at Trimedic. This achievement is also likely due to supplemental measures such as a shoe lift , foot orthoses, and the proprioceptive effect of the GenuTrain A3 active support , all of which the determined Mr. Zabel has been making use of for years now. “I’ve known him since he started coming here to train – he has extraordinary discipline,” says

Isabelle Heeger, “and for that reason he was perfect for the study of the new SecuTec OA at Trimedic.” He definitely had the right indications – advanced gonarthrosis, which in Mr. Zabel’s case was accompanied by a se-vere axial deviation outwards of more than ten degrees. Along with the extremely one-sided strain on the medial knee compart-ment , the varus alignment in this case was also accompanied by a high degree of joint instability. This instability forced Wilfried Zabel to adopt a pain-relief posture that had

him constantly overextending his right knee, leading to the associated compensation conditions such as posture and gait anoma-lies – not to mention the pain from damaged medial joint surfaces.

Gain in stability noticed immediatelyWilfried Zabel was one of 11 gonarthrosis patients at Trimedic who were selected to participate in the clinical study of SecuTec OA. Only one of the patients had ever worn an orthosis before. The initial experience of six of the patients with the relief orthosis was so positive that they all wanted to keep wearing their SecuTec OA. These patients reported a “good” reduction of pain and also said they were able to significantly increase their maximum walking distance. Wilfried Zabel enjoyed similar positive experiences. The former teacher especially liked the fact that SecuTec OA offered him the additional benefit of being able to individually adjust the knee pivot as a means of correcting the severe misalignment of the knee that he suffers from. “After I made the adjustment , I immediately had the feeling that the ortho-sis had taken control ,” he says. “Or perhaps I should say that I felt as if the orthosis, not the osteoarthritis, now had my knee in its grip – here and here,” he adds, pointing exactly to those parts of the knee where the orthosis provides relief on the basis of the 3-point principle. “The joint is no longer as stiff when I position my knee to relieve pain,” Wilfried Zabel reports. “I can walk for a longer period of time and I now feel less pain.”

A stable gait means safer movementWilfried Zabel’s gait also became more fluid again during the test with SecuTec OA, says Isabelle Heeger. Along with improved mobil-ity and pain reduction, a stable and fluid gait becomes crucial as people get older in par-ticular, as it contributes to what is perhaps the most important effect of SecuTec OA: safer movement with less risk of injury. “Over the years, Mr. Zabel has increasingly displayed functional deficits that are caused solely by aging,” Isabelle Heeger explains. “That’s why we expanded his strength train-ing to include certain functional exercises

that are designed to offer support during his daily activities – for example when climbing stairs.” This offers Wilfried Zabel a double measure of safety when he wears his SecuTec OA every day for at least an hour after his weekly training session at Trimedic. This multipronged strategy is also favored by Steffen Wiemann, a physiotherapist and manual therapist who is also a Managing Partner of Trimedic. Wiemann believes in multimodal treatment , especially for gonarthrosis: “This complex disease forces us to utilize different approaches for the good of the patient. In this sense, SecuTec OA as an external medical aid fits in well with our treatment concept. Still , the muscular situation is always the main thing to consider.” Isabelle Heeger agrees with this view completely. The sports scientist wrote her doctoral dissertation on treatment concepts for gonarthrosis: “All the literature agrees that if anything can prevent or provide relief for this illness, it’s definitely strong muscles.” Wilfried Zabel likes to hear that , and he continues to test out his new-found mobility with SecuTec OA – most enjoyably when he goes for a walk with his grandson. †

“SecuTec OA as an external medical aid fits in well with our treatment concept.”

(Steffen Wiemann)

Isabelle Heeger, sports scientist. Steffen Wiemann, Managing Partner of Trimedic.


FOCUS

Hess, who is now over 80, used the active support to get back on his feet after suffer-ing a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament with cartilage damage in 1985. What he couldn’t know at the time, however, was that GenuTrain, and later GenuTrain A3, stabi-lized his knee in a manner that very likely minimized the risk of osteoarthritis later on. In 2014, sports scientists at the University of Freiburg were able to demonstrate that the support relieves strain on the knee joint and has a positive effect on a patient’s gait (see box).

Proprioceptive stimulation for gonarthrosis preventionHess’ was the typical case of a “long-term GenuTrain test subject” – if not for the fact that the test subject was also the inventor of the support. Prof. Dr. med. Heinrich Hess, who served for many years as the physi-cian for the German national soccer team, originally wanted to use the support to help

injured athletes in particular. “To be honest , gonarthrosis wasn’t the focus back then,” he explains. “However, we did know that the

area around the knee represented the key to effective conservative treatment measures for stabilizing the joint. These days, early-stage muscular stabilization is now the norm for the prevention of gonarthrosis.” There’s another important aspect , namely that the intermittent compression of the knitted fabric and the viscoelastic pads also stimu-lates the metabolism for the cartilage during movement. This is essential because it occurs through the tissue surrounding the knee.

Relief of symptoms in advanced cases of gonarthrosisProf. Hess, who currently serves as an advi-sor to the Deutsche Arthrosehilfe (German Osteo arthritis Association), is looking ahead to a new orthosis – SecuTec OA – that provides relief to patients suffering from advanced lateral or medial osteoarthritis of the knee. “Obviously, we weren’t able to achieve the axial correction necessary for this with the GenuTrain supports, which were not designed for that ,” Prof. Hess explains. “Nevertheless, when I look to the future, I can say that the relieving effect of SecuTec OA in the case of advanced gonarthrosis will play a role similar in its importance to that played by the proprioceptive effectiveness displayed by the supports in the early stages of gonarthrosis.” †

Prof. Dr. med. Heinrich Hess, advisor to the German Osteoarthritis Association and inventor of GenuTrain.

Conservative risk management“Looking back,” says the grand master of conservative gonarthrosis treatment , “I was lucky that GenuTrain already existed when I needed it.” It was the right product at the right time for the German Professor Dr. med. Heinrich Hess.

Gonarthrosis therapy

GenuTrain for osteoarthritis

The GenuTrain active support has a positive effect on the gait of those who wear it , according to a study conducted by Prof. Dr. Albert Gollhofer et al. Among other things, the study showed that the use of the sup-port led to a decrease in the knee adduc-tion angle during walking in patients with medial gonarthrosis. Such patients, who account for around 85 percent of all cases of gonarthrosis, often have a pronounced varus alignment. These patients benefit from the support’s proven biomechanical effect , which reduces the non-physiological

strain caused by the misalignment in the joint. The scientists at the University of Freiburg attribute the positive results mainly to GenuTrain’s proprioceptive effect (see Bauerfeind life 2014/1). After under-going a special testing procedure, Genu-Train was awarded the Ease of Use label from the Arthritis Foundation in the United States (www.arthritis.org). This label is presented to osteoarthritis relief products that are both effective and easy to use, and thus improve the quality of life of those who use them.

Study and certificate

“These days, early-stage muscular stabilization is now the norm for the prevention of gonarthrosis.”

(Prof. Dr. med. Heinrich Hess)


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The adjustable lower leg frame enables lateral and medial relief – while maintainig a constant distance between the orthosis hinges.

The adjustable condylar pads and …

… self-adjusting calf shell ensure a comfortable fit.

SecuTec OA knee orthosis

Perfect fit for gonarthrosis Through its targeted relief and stabilization of the knee joint , the new SecuTec OA knee orthosis allows patients with moderate to advanced gonarthrosis regain their mobility. It does this by means of systematic adaptation to a patient’s anatomical conditions.

The SecuTec OA knee orthosis provides relief to the knee for patients suffering from either lateral or medial gonarthrosis, as its anatomically contoured hard-frame design with adjustable lower leg frames enables adjustment of both varus and valgus settings in one product. On the basis of image-based diagnostics and the patient’s pain symptoms, the orthosis offers the possibility of customized gonarthrosis treatment: in the varus setting, the SecuTec OA provides targeted relief for the lateral compartment of the knee, while the valgus setting relieves the medial compartment. Through its ability to influence the leg axis, the orthosis allows pressure to be distributed to joint surfaces exposed to less strain, whereby the cartilage layer is also protected against wear. With SecuTec OA, pressure (varus or valgus) is distributed gently along the lower leg. Hinges on the lower leg frame enable continuous adjust-ment of up to 25 degrees. This means that leg axis misalignments can be taken into account and targeted as well when the product is adjusted.

Comfortable reliefThe special thing about SecuTec OA is that it relieves strain on the lateral or medial compartment of the knee according to the 3-point principle, without reducing the dis-tance between the hinges of the orthosis. In other words, the knee joint is not addition-ally constricted. Thanks to its non-elastic Velcro straps, SecuTec OA also stabilizes the knee joint according to the 4-point prin-ciple, counteracting anterior and posterior instability. The straps contain removable Velcro microfiber cushions and are secured to the leg with practical quick-fit fasteners. The patented adaptive calf shell with a self-regulating inclination angle and anatomi-cally contoured gel condylar pads ensures a secure and comfortable fit of the orthosis.

Additionally, insertable wedges enable precise adjustment of the condylar pads to extend the contact surface at the side of the knee for optimum pressure distribution, while at the same time reducing pressure peaks. The orthosis frames for the upper and the lower leg can be combined in dif-ferent sizes depending on the patient’s leg circumference. If flexion and extension are to be limited, or if immobilization in differ-ent angles is required, the orthosis hinges with optional wedges can be adjusted without any need for tools.

Core competence: the kneeThe SecuTec OA’s relieving effect helps reduce pain and thus improve mobility in cases of moderate to severe lateral or me-dial osteoarthritis of the knee (grades III to IV). Patients can walk for an extended length of time again without much pain, and it may then be possible to delay en-doprosthetic surgery in some cases. When used in a postoperative setting following a meniscus suturing or cartilage transplant , the knee orthosis supports healing process-es to achieve the best possible results. †


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Bauerfeind life: Why didn’t you add Genu-Train A3 to your product range immediately?Ralf Erken: That had less to do with the product than it did with us. As an osteo-arthritis center, we have instituted strict guidelines for medical aids. We monitor the products on the market. We then test these products with customers and our own staff, after which we decide whether or not to add them to our portfolio. We’ve been using this quality assurance procedure since rahm was designated an official gonarthrosis test center in 2016.

The A3 passed the tests because...Ralf Erken: Its proprioceptive properties were very convincing. The large star-shaped pad has a rapid effect on the vastus media-lis. The intermittent compression on the knee also has a beneficial effect. We need to explain these things to our customers, how-ever, since most of them know little about the illness they suffer from. The idea that “osteoarthritis means pain, which means a new knee,” is very common. We, however, want to break the pain-surgery-TEP chain.

How do you convince customers that conserva-tive treatment is the right approach? Ralf Erken: Patients with gonarthrosis need support. Customers have to know that their personal goals are actually our common goals. The important thing is to point out the benefits offered by active supports – that they alleviate pain, promote mobility and, unlike painkillers, do not have any known side effects. The best argument , how-ever, is what patients experience when they wear the support , which we encourage them to do right in the store. They can try out the whole range and even walk on a test course if they want. They’re usually surprised by this type of service at a medical supply retailer,

GenuTrain A3 at a medical supply retailer

“ Breaking the pain-surgery-TEP chain” Gonarthrosis invariably leads to a joint replacement: Ralf Erken from the rahm Zentrum für Gesundheit medical-supply organization in Troisdorf (Germany) is committed to refuting this misconception and presenting alternatives. He is being assisted in this endeavor by 700 employees in 38 outlets – and by the GenuTrain A3 support.

Customers should learn first-hand that supports don’t hurt at all , says Ralf Erken from rahm.


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as compared to a pharmacy. Only a few do not immediately have a positive reaction to GenuTrain or GenuTrain A3, for example. Most are very happy when they realize wearing the support doesn’t cause any pain. And, really, who wouldn’t want to experience the high-

quality massage effect , as we put it , that you get on your thigh, lower leg and around the patella from the A3’s numerous small frictional nubs?

Are physicians who prescribe the supports aware of their proven effect with regard to gonarthrosis?Ralf Erken: Some doctors prescribe Genu-Train A3 directly. However, many others are not even aware that this special model for grade 1 gonarthrosis actually exists in ad-dition to the well-known GenuTrain model.

We need to work with physicians to change this, and we view ourselves in many cases as an intermediary between patients and doctors. If doctors only have ten minutes for a patient because the waiting room is full , a lot of questions regarding how medical aids actually work will be left unanswered.

Do you have customers who ask for a medical aid on their own?Ralf Erken: No, not too many. Those who come to us looking for a preventive solu-tion – and we deal with both young and old people in this regard – usually want to hear a second opinion. For example, they might be experiencing occasional knee pain and want to know if they should do something about it. We recommend that they first see a doc-tor. Such customers are of course ideal when it comes to implementing the right measures to prevent osteoarthritis early on, which is the most important thing, and a doctor they trust might then prescribe a support. Doctors also appreciate the treatment option information we provide them with. This year, we will organize 15 gonarthrosis events with patients and physicians. Naturally, these events will also include presentations of products for stage-appropriate treatment.

How do you explain to customers the specific ways GenuTrain A3 helps fight gonarthrosis?Ralf Erken: Along with its proprioceptive-stabilizing effect , the A3 also has an inte-grated corrective strap that positively influ-ences the path of movement of the patella. This is important because gonarthrosis can also form at the patella, or else negatively affect it. In general , however, we use simple language to explain that the most important goal must be for patients to get moving again; otherwise the joint will stiffen up, which is counterproductive. Active supports, on the other hand, are exactly what’s needed here. After all , if you have something that makes you feel good in a spot where you normally feel pain, compliance will no longer be an issue.

There is no cure for gonarthrosis. How do you motivate people who have it to get treatment?Ralf Erken: Osteoarthritis symptoms are always subjective, by which I mean that whereas some people first begin to feel pain at the grade 1 stage, others already experi-

Even just a slight case of gonarthrosis can lead to complex problems in knee joints. GenuTrain A3 provides targeted relief for osteoarthritis pain during movement , and it also helps offset sta-bility deficits. Movement and the result-ing intermittent compression exerted by the knit and the pad massage soft tissue and stimulate the metabolism in the joints. The joint-stabilizing muscles are activated and the sensorimotor func-tion is influenced in a positive way. The star-shaped pad with nubbed friction zones increase the stimulation of the mechanoreceptors in the medial capsule ligament area, which is where typical pain areas are located. Stimulation of the stabilizing vastus medialis muscle also increases, which helps offset imbal-ances. An integrated corrective strap keeps the patella in its physiologically correct path during movement.

The support for gonarthrosis

ence unbearable pain at the same stage. We have to keep these differences in mind. Still , becoming inactive is the worst thing. If I can achieve quick pain relief with a support or orthosis, patients will be willing to continue treatment. That’s what opens the doors – pain reduction combined with a high degree of functionality, which is what GenuTrain A3 offers. These are the decisive motivational factors that enable effective treatment of gonarthrosis at an early stage. †

GenuTrain A3 pad with friction zones and a corrective strap for the patella.

Moving again with GenuTrain A3.

“The idea that ‘osteoarthritis means pain, which means a new knee,’ is very common.”

(Ralf Erken)


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Switzerland. But then something happened: the reigning king of Swiss wrestling fell out of the gondola and onto the forest floor around 12 meters below. It was a dramatic accident that severely injured the athlete. “Along with an injury to a ligament in his left knee, Matthias Glarner also fractured his front pelvic girdle and suffered a severe ax-ial compression injury to his left ankle with a talus fracture, as well as severe cartilage damage,” says PD Dr. med. Fabian Krause, Chief Physician for foot and ankle surgery at

University Hospital of Bern. “His pelvis and ankle were operated on after the accident on the same day. After he fell , the extreme force of the impact caused the edge of his shin to severe the talus more or less like a guillotine. Several fragments containing cartilage col-lected at the lower end of the ankle, where the break occurred.” These were removed after the bone was reset. In addition, the cartilage damage on the shin joint surface was stimulated using several small drilled holes and then sealed us-ing a membrane that stimulates cartilage growth. This procedure

enables the formation of new car-tilage by stem cells. The two torn collateral ligaments were stabilized on the bone, while the knee injury

with the torn medial collateral liga-ment , the partially torn posterior cruciate ligament , and the bruised tibial plateau were treated conservatively with an angled brace. The injuries had thus been properly

treated, but it looked as though Glarner’s wrestling career was over – or was it? “Natu-rally, the injuries were a big shock to me at first ,” says Matthias Glarner. “But I also knew that I wanted to make a comeback in my sport.” It’s therefore not surprising that the 31-year-old born fighter quickly began a physiotherapy program and then resumed his upper body and pelvic training just three weeks after his operation. Bauerfeind played a supporting role in the literal sense of the word after Matthias Glarner’s foot casts and knee brace were removed. The company provided Matthias Glarner with VenoTrain compression stockings, the GenuTrain active support for relief and stabilization of the knee joint , and MalleoTrain Plus for stabiliz-ing the ankle. “The supports offer stability in the beginning especially,” PD Dr. Krause explains. “They have a compressive effect that reduces swelling and they also ensure that joints are not excessively moved in the direction of the painful area.”

Targeted mobilization“These products are very important and meaningful medical aids that provide users with physical security and a sense of mental security as well ,” says Jörg Gyger from the REACTIVE physiotherapy center in Gwatt (Thun). “They also provide optimal support in terms of balance, stabilization, and mobilization.” Jörg Gyger has implemented an ankle treatment program

Swiss wrestling king Matthias Glarner

Everything was going well for Matthias Glarner on June 27, 2017. The demanding photo shoot on a mountain gondola in the Bernese Oberland region, where Glarner works, was all but over. The Swiss wrestling professional was already looking forward to his upcoming training program for the wrestling variant that is so popular in

Back in the arenaSeveral severe injuries appeared to have put an end to Matthias Glarner’s professional career in mid-2017. Switzerland’s reigning wrestling king is now fighting his way back into the arena, however. The security and mobility need-ed for this comeback is being provided by a strenuous physiotherapy program and active supports and compression stockings from Bauerfeind.

Training for his comeback: Matthias Glarner.

“The active supports made me feel extremely secure immediately after I put them on.”

(Matthias Glarner)

Jörg Gyger from the REACTIVE physiotherapy center in Gwatt (Thun).


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for Matthias Glarner that focuses on passive measures such as angular and translational movements that have a direct effect on the joint and reduce the restriction of movement. The active measures being used in the program include movement exercises on slant boards and unstable surfaces. Besides going to the physiotherapy center in Thun, Matthias Glarner also regularly visits the Swiss Federal Sports Office (BASPO) in Magglingen, where he undergoes additional rehabilitation training – and he always uses the Bauerfeind supports for his knee and ankle here as well. In

addition, Matthias Glarner wears VenoTrain compression stockings before and after he trains. “The active supports made me feel extremely secure immediately after I put them on, and they’re also very comfortable to wear,” he says. “The stabilizing effect they have on my knee and foot gives me a great feeling of security. The circulation-stimulation effect of the compression stockings is also soothing. All of these aids are promoting my physical regeneration and they also reduce the slight swelling of the instep that sometimes occurs after intensive training.”

Back in training fast – thanks to Bauerfeind supports Matthias Glarner got his compression stockings and the active supports for his knee and ankle from Bauerfeind Switzer-land in Oberrohrdorf. The athlete is thus benefiting from the experience Bauerfeind has gained by treating elite athletes in all sports disciplines. “Bauerfeind provided me with outstanding support by giving me sound advice and allowing me to benefit from its extensive knowledge, especially with regard to stress loads in Swiss wres-tling,” says Matthias Glarner. For example, Mr. Glarner’s knee can be exposed to as much as 300 kilograms of force, but his knee can handle this, thanks to GenuTrain. “I’m really pleased that my cooperation with Bauerfeind has now turned into an official partnership with a holistic approach that will help me optimize my performance even further in the future,” he explains. Matthias Glarner has now fully resumed his regular training schedule, which involves up to 18 hours of training per week. Although the entire recovery process will still take some time, and much patience, Matthias Glarner says he is nevertheless “very optimistic that I’ll be able to start participating in tournaments again in mid-2018.” †

Follow-up visit with PD Dr. med. Fabian Krause from University Hospital of Bern. He operated on Matthias Glarner’s ankle on the day of Glarner’s accident.

Matthias Glarner and physiotherapist Jörg Gyger still have a lot of work ahead of them.


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A feel for the ball isn’t just in their heads: the stars from Fluminense also use

supports and orthosis when they train.


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stockings, and Train active supports from the “globally leading manufacturer of orthopedic products,” according to the club. The medical products will be used to “improve the overall condition of the players, and to reduce the likelihood of injuries,” as can be read on the official statement on the Fluminense website.

The star who healed RonaldoThe Chief Coordinator for Physiotherapy at Fluminense, Nilton Petrone, played a major part in initiating the partnership with Bauerfeind – in addition to the physicians of the team, which is managed by Douglas Santos. He has been running the physiotherapy department of the club for four years. Before that , the internationally known physiotherapist worked in world

football in many famous places. In professional circles, Nilton Petrone, Filé in short , “The Slim One”, became a legend after he brought Ronaldo back into the Brazilian world championships in 2002 after a severe knee injury. For non-Brazilians: we don’t mean Cristiano Ronaldo, but his namesake who was just as famous in those days. He has also been awarded the title of world footballer several times. His situation seemed hopeless after he tore his patellar tendon repeatedly. Nilton Petrone, however, got Ronaldo back into shape with a method he developed, called “Accelerated Recovery Method.” It was widely criticized then. The key component was work in water in order to reduce body weight , and to regain strength and endurance. “The star who healed Ronaldo” was the title in major national

Partnership with the Fluminense Football Club

Pelé, Zico, Ronaldo – who doesn’t know them? There may be people who have never heard of them, but not in Brazil. In the country of the five-times football world champion, these men are national heroes. Football in Brazil is like samba at the Copacabana: unique. These two main national sports (samba is a sport , too) are based on a common factor: the valuable legs of their participants. In order to provide such an essential resource with the best possible care, the traditional Fluminense Football Club Rio de Janeiro has recently made a unique decision in the world of Brazilian football: it entered into a partnership with Bauerfeind. A German-Brazilian double pass. The medical department of the oldest football club in Rio can use foot orthoses, compression

That certain somethingBrazilian footballers have always had something others did not possess: elegance, finesse, and an infatuation with the ball. The Fluminense FC football stars from Rio de Janeiro now have something else that is special.

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Nilton Petrone (left), director of the club’s Physiotherapy department , appreciates the quality offered by Bauerfeind when it comes to injury prevention.

Foot pressure measurement for an orthosis fitting.


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newspapers after “The Slim One’s” successful treatment , with a victory for Ronaldo. Two legends of Brazilian football were born.

Knowledge exchange with professionals“Since working for Fluminense,” says Nilton Petrone, “I have noticed that we are constantly searching for the best medical requisites for our players. In 2018, we found a partner in Bauerfeind who is already working with athletes in other sports.” The Chief Physiotherapist of the club, which has already won the national championships four times, even recognizes a pioneering nature for Brazil in the cooperation with the German manufacturer, for Fluminense and for football in Brazil overall. “We are the first football club in Brazil to enter into such a partnership with Bauerfeind.” For Fernando Pasqualin, CEO BFND Artigos Esportivos Ltda., the exclusive Bauerfeind distributor in Brazil , getting into football is also a milestone. “First and foremost , the partnership with Fluminense is important for Bauerfeind to exchange knowledge with the club’s professionals. It provides the company with a great opportunity for learning,

so everything we find out here can be implemented even better for our customers,” says the manager. “Individual sports therefore turn into a kind of laboratory for us.”

Better foot pressure distribution for playersIn addition to player treatment with Train supports and compression stockings that should be worn during all training sessions, Nilton Petrone sees a clearly defined goal particularly in the use of TRIactive foot orthoses: “We want to ensure improved distribution of the pressure applied to

the athletes’ feet in their boots. That’s good for healthy feet – and for the feel for the ball.” At the beginning of the year, a measuring series started with subsequent treatment with foot orthoses. “The foot pressure measurement allowed us to precisely analyze pressure distribution,” explains Filé. Wireless measuring soles were used that could simply be placed in the football boots. They determine the individual dynamic load situation on the sole of the foot. Additionally, using a 3D scanning system, the foot shape and other foot measurements were recorded. This provides a basis to identify the triggering factors behind foot complaints and establish the general dynamics of the feet during walking. “The foot orthosis manufactured based on individual data should reduce load and excessive strain,” explains Nilton Petrone. A welcome benefit for the world of football. Injury prevention is surely the best way to maintain the Brazilian art of dribbling – with that certain something. The fact that German products, of all things, should contribute to this, proves once more the global power of football. †

Close to the action – in the football stadium and at his patients’ feet: Orthopedist Dr. Jorge Mijares.

“It gives me a good feeling to be able to offer my patients Ergo-Pad weightflex 2, which provides quick relief and thus a better quality of life once again.”

(Dr. Jorge Mijares)


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ErgoPad weightflex 2 in Mexico

Around the world, physicians and patients all appreciate one thing: a quick solution. Physicians would never make their patients wait for treatment if a comparable aid is available immediately. This is also true for Dr. Mijares, orthopedic foot specialist at one of Mexico’s most prestigious hospitals, the Spanish Hospital in Mexico City. The doctor’s answer to the question why he prescribes the orthopedic orthosis ErgoPad weightflex 2 by Bauerfeind to his patients so frequently, is rather comprehensive: “This type of foot or-thoses is hard to find in Mexico,” he explains. “Especially if the material has to meet my requirements in terms of effectiveness and quality. If I am lucky enough to have the solution to the problem right at hand, then I am going to use it , of course.”

A quick solution So it is a product that allows for quick aid for a “problem” that is rather common among Dr. Mijares’ fellow natives. The effects of a

For treating his patients with foot problems, the orthopedic specialist Dr. Jorge Mijares from Mexico has been increasingly using one particular type of foot orthosis. The physician is impressed by the quality and comfort provided by the ErgoPad weightflex 2.

A new world of foot orthoses

modern lifestyle and way of walking take their toll on Mexicans, too. This commonly leads to degenerative processes on the foot at an early age as well as to foot misalign-ments. The free rotation and counter- rotation of the forefoot and hindfoot , known

as “spiral dynamics” in the gait pattern, which are the foundation of postural stabili-ty and stability under strain, is often severely limited. Orthopedic orthoses are a good choice for remedying these malfunctions and reducing associated pain. They back up the complex longitudinal arch whose support

function is at risk, as well as the foot’s trans-verse arch, and they also provide strain relief for the joints. One example of this is the orthopedic orthosis ErgoPad weightflex 2. An appealing design, flexible materials and a high degree of functionality are among its most outstanding characteristics.

Fits into sports as well as business shoesAt the heart of the ErgoPad weightflex 2 there is its synthetic core that is coated with polyurethane foam. The asymmetrical , X-shaped element at the core actively sup-ports the foot’s natural spiral dynamics and it promotes a natural heel-to-toe move-ment. The foot orthosis has good shock-absorbing properties, despite its low height. It cushions the forefoot and prevents fatigue symptoms. The surface is equipped with pro-prioceptive spots that stimulate the muscles. ErgoPad weightflex 2 is available in the three density levels soft , medium and strong to allow for support according to the degree Im

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You’ll find more information on the ErgoPad weightflex 2 foot orthosis on the Internet at www.bauerfeind.com/weightflex2-en

The weightflex core supports feet in three versions: soft , medium, and strong. This foot orthosis can also be adapted to suit a variety of heel heights.


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of insufficiency of the foot arch structures, the respective therapeutic goal and the user’s body weight. The foot orthosis’ special feature: thanks to its flat design and narrow shape, it also fits into shoes you would not expect to have room for a foot orthosis, such as everyday or business shoes. Dr. Mijares describes an interesting observation: “I also use the ErgoPad weightflex 2 to treat athletes. These patients are surprised to find that the foot orthosis does not only fit into their special sports shoes, but also into their everyday footwear. They expect to be able to use the product in their trainers, but they don’t expect to be able to just take it out and keep using it in their regular shoes.”

Adjustable to suit different heel heightsThe ErgoPad weightflex 2 is not only suit-able for a wide range of uses, the foot orthosis is also very flexible when it comes to treating different types of symptoms. Dr. Mijares lists three of the main indications: “I often and successfully prescribe them to patients suffering from painful foot prob-lems. Next up are hallux valgus patients and less frequently I prescribe them to patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, who are suffering from severe pain owing to a strong valgus misalignment.” The physician ex-plains that for these conditions, pain during longer periods of walking can be reduced to a rather tolerable degree with the ErgoPad weightflex 2. Dr. Mijares generally considers pain reduction to be the central task of the foot orthosis. There is another outstand-ing aspect: in the forefoot and heel area, the core can be slightly bent – much like a hinge joint. This adaptability to different heel heights makes the foot orthosis ideal for women who appreciate the combination of effectiveness and wearing comfort. It is well-suited for changing shoes frequently, thanks to its extra low and flexible design. All groups of patients value the comfort and effectiveness of ErgoPad weightflex 2: “I ask the patients that I have supplied with

the foot orthosis to give me feedback after one month,” the physician says. “All of those who did get in touch were very satisfied.”

Trouble-free reimbursementJust like his satisfied patients at the Spanish Hospital , which was founded as a charitable institution by Spain’s first consul general in Mexico in 1842, Dr. Mijares is impressed with the comprehensive services around ErgoPad weightflex 2. “Things started with an eye-opening visit from Bauerfeind to the hospi-tal ,” the orthopedic specialist explains. “This is how I became aware of the foot orthosis in

the first place,” he admits. “I was impressed by the quality of the material right away. A new world of foot orthoses that is much better than many of the other products available in Mexico.” Not all of Dr. Mijares’ patients are benefiting from insurance cover for the associated costs. “But in the cases I am aware of, I have never heard about any problems regarding the reimbursement ,” the doctor points out. It is not surprising that his assessment of ErgoPad weightflex 2 is all around positive: “It feels good to be able to offer quick help to my patients and to improve their quality of life.” †

Further information

Bauerfeind pre-symposium at the IUP World Congress

Lymphedema – a multi-factor ailment During the 18th World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology (IUP) in Melbourne (Australia) international experts had the opportunity to discuss causes, treatment options, secondary diseases, and effective follow-up measures for lymphedema. Bauerfeind life sums up the most important findings.

Genetics of primary lymphedema“The term primary lymphedema refers to a group of rare conditions but the exact preva-lence is not known. Recent genetic research is leading to a better understanding of these conditions”, said Prof. Vaughan Keeley, a lymphedema specialist from Derby (UK). The abnormalities of the lymphatic system,

which cause primary lymphedema, include hypoplasia of the vessels, maldevelopment of the lymphatic valves and a failure of the initial lymphatics to take up interstitial fluid. It can be present from birth but more commonly develops later on in childhood and adulthood. In some types there are other associated features e.g. in primary lymphedema due to a mutation of the GATA2 gene, there may be an increased risk of acute leukaemia. Lymphatic abnormalities may also occur in overgrowth syndromes e.g. in PIK3CA related overgrowth spectrum (PROS). “It is hoped that a better understanding of the genetic causes of these conditions may lead to improved treatments in the future”, explained Prof. Keeley.

Compression for positive effects on the cardiovascular system“Lymphedema is a multi-factor condition,” said Dr. Gyözö Szolnoky from Szeged Univer-sity in Hungary when he introduced the first lecture. He went on to give a comprehensive overview on the principles of lymphedema. Dr. Szolnoky is currently performing research

for a study about the effects that compres-sion garments have on the cardiovascular system. “We are examining whether measur-able positive effects are achieved for the function of the left ventricle of the heart when knee-length sports socks are worn by healthy individuals or when medical compression pantyhose are worn by lymph-edema and lipedema patients,” explained the winner of the 2015 Bauerfeind Phlebology Award. Initial results show that compression has positive effects on left ventricular (LV) rotation in lipedema patients. In otherwise healthy persons with lymphedema, compres-sion at least does not hinder LV rotation.

Encouraging patients’ personal managementProf. Christine Moffatt’s lecture focused on personal management of lymphedema and venous ulcer patients. The expert for nursing research from Nottingham University (UK) recommends that doctors should develop ho-listic treatment approaches for their patients by taking physical , mental , social , and cultur-

al factors of the condition into account. The patient should be involved in the treatment by offering real choices in terms of treatment options as well as suitable training. “You even have to respect a patient’s right to reject a certain therapy,” said Prof. Moffatt. She con-siders compression therapy to be part of the basic treatment. Concerns about circulation problems caused by compression are rather common. This fear is not justified, however, and controlled compression is considered to be safe. She went on to explain that it was not always necessary to remove compression equipment in every case of pain, as patients tended to tolerate compression if it reduced their symptoms. She further mentioned that venous ulceration also tends to heal better under compression.

Dr. Gyözö Szolnoky, Hungary. Prof. Vaughan Keeley, UK. Prof. Christine Moffatt , UK.


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Avoiding amputationsDr. Misbah Shireen Ahmed from the clinic and polyclinic for skin diseases in Greifs-wald (Germany) spoke about extreme lymphedema of the lower extremities. “We have recently observed a disproportionately large share of patients with very advanced cases of lymphedema,” said the physician. This could be explained by the fact that there is an increasing number of people who are significantly overweight. Owing to low self-esteem, these patients frequently do not come to the clinic before they reach a severe stage of the illness. At this point they are already experiencing various types of complications that require expensive multidisciplinary treatment. “Despite the fact that some of my peers have considered amputation to be the only solution in severe

cases, we can achieve good results with a combination of surgical and non-surgical treatment ,” the physician was pleased to say. In detail , this comprises surgical debride-ment of the wound, negative-pressure wound therapy and skin transplants as well as cold, antiseptic dressings, class 3 corticosteroids and salicylic acid (including in the form of creams), possibly systemic treatment using antibiotics and thrombosis prophylaxis and finally gymnastics, manual lymphatic drain-age, intermittent pneumatic compression, and compression supports and stockings. “It’s not ‘just’ lymphedema,” she appealed to the audience. “It is a complex condition that often also requires psychological support.”

Methods for treatment and follow-up monitoring Dr. Hans-Jürgen Thomä, of the Phlebology Business Development division at Bauerfeind AG (Germany) spoke about the options of digital treatment and follow-up monitor-ing compared to water plethysmography. Measuring techniques for determining leg volume are generally used in routine clinical work in order to objectify treatment progress, and they are also often required for clinical studies. Water plethysmography is based on the principle of water displacement. However, it is a relatively time-consuming measuring technique with poor reproducibil-ity. The Bodytronic 600 digital measurement system by Bauerfeind provides for a grid of light beams that is projected onto the body and digitally captured. This allows for an

exact 3D image of the affected body part to be generated. “A study has shown that both methods pro-duce similar results,” Dr. Thomä explained. “However, water plethysmography is limited to the calf, while Bodytronic 600 is suitable for measuring lower and upper legs as well as the pant area. Water plethysmography is also difficult to handle and rather error-prone.” Bodytronic 600 is five times more reliable when it comes to reproducibility. †

From cardio-vascular effects to genetics and wound treatment – the international experts in

attendance at the Bauerfeind pre-symposium focused on various aspects associated with

lymphedema and its treatment.

Dr. Misbah Shireen Ahmed, Germany. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Thomä, Germany.


MEDICAL

The differences between lipedema and lymphedema and adiposity

“ Informed patients know that lipedema hurts” The fact that when addressing a case history, one should act unobtrusively in order to see whether a pinch actually triggers pain is something Dr. med. Gabriele Faerber from the Center for Vascular Medicine in Hamburg (Germany) knows from her own experience. In the following interview with Bauerfeind life, she also talks about the things a physi-cian has to pay attention to when diagnosing and treating lipedema and lymphedema.

Bauerfeind life: Cases of swollen legs require a differential diagnosis. What is your approach in such situations?Dr. Faerber: A clinical diagnosis generally achieves the objective, and an additional examination with medical apparatus is only rarely necessary. After putting together a very extensive case history that includes, among other things, the point in time when initial symptoms occurred, as well as the patient’s weight and family medical histo-ries, we take a close look at the patient to determine whether there is swelling in both legs, for example. Lipedema is always symmetrical , while an asymmetric pattern indicates lymphedema. If swelling occurs in both legs, we need to determine whether the pattern is truly symmetrical or if one leg is leading, so to speak. If the latter is the case, we might once again be dealing with lymphedema. After describing the findings and taking comparative circumference measurements, we check to see whether the skin is soft or if fibrosis is already present. We also check the Stemmer's sign. With lipedema, a skin fold can be lifted at the back of the second toe, whereas with lymphedema, the skin and the subcutaneous area are so “baked” that no skin fold can be lifted anymore.

On the other hand, the Stemmer's sign doesn’t necessarily have to be present in the case of obesity-related lymphedema. Lymphedema is also indicated by excessive cornification of the skin and folds on the MTP joint that give the impression of a thickened toe. In the case of lipedema, the excessive fat deposits

end above the wrist and ankle. On the foot , this is referred to as the “Suaven Phenomenon” or a “supramalleolar sudden change in diameter.” Unlike the case with lipedema, there is no pressure pain or swelling tendency with lipohypertrophy. “Dr. Google” makes a diag-

nosis more difficult here because these days informed patients know that lipedema hurts. We therefore need to be as unobtrusive as possible when we attempt to determine whether a pinch actually triggers pain, for example.

What do you do if diagnoses are mixed?Dr. Faerber: The mixed forms and fluid transitions in particular make it difficult to differentiate. For example, lipohypertrophy can turn into lipedema. This often happens when a patient gains weight , if hormonal changes occur, or if estrogen dominance is present. A hormonal imbalance can either lead to a significant worsening of lipedema in terms of both volume and symptoms, or else it will trigger lipedema where none was previously present. However, developments can move in the opposite direction if a certain nutritional treatment program is undertaken. For example, more than 80 percent of our patients transition from lipedema back

Dr. med. Gabriele Faerber, Center for Vascular Medicine, Hamburg.

Typical clinical characteristics for differentiation

Explanation of symbols: + to +++ present; (+) possible; Ø not present

* The characteristics of edema vary depending on the extent of the treatment already undergone and the stage of the disease. Source: S1 guideline 037/012 on lipedema, as of: 10/2015

“Lipedema is always symmetrical , while an asymmetric pattern indicates lymphedema.”

(Dr. med. Gabriele Faerber)

Adiposity LymphedemaLipohypertrophyLipedema

(+)

Ø

Ø

+

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Increased fat

Disproportion

Edema*

Pressure pain

Susceptibility to hematomas

+++ +++ +++

+++ +++ (+)

(+)

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Ø

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to lipohypertrophy after changing their diet and/or losing weight. These patients no longer display a swelling tendency, feel much less or even no pain at all , and often no longer require lymphatic drainage. A further diagnostic challenge involves adiposity, which can also conceal a disproportion, for example.

How do you treat individual conditions?Dr. Faerber: In the case of a thin lipedema patient , we start with compression therapy. This doesn’t necessarily have to involve flat knit care; if the patient’s leg shape is largely normal , round-knit compression with the requisite stiffness is often sufficient. We now try not to start immediately with an accompanying lymph drainage, which is in fact a questionable choice of treatment for pure lipedema. If compression alone does not provide sufficient relief, we run a short phase of lymph drainage, but only as an introductory rather than a long-term treatment. In general , we also recommend a lot of movement and a diet consisting mainly of basic foods and less rapidly digested carbohydrates. I consider patients whose condition does not improve as a result to be

suitable candidates for liposuction. The more pronounced the disproportion, the more suitable will be such a treatment.We also start with compression in the case of overweight patients. If adiposity or changes to the shape of the legs become advanced, we can usually only use a flat knit product , possibly – as with lymphedema in such situations – with a

divided treatment. Very obese women will have problems putting on stockings, which is why we prescribe Capri pants with knee-high stockings, for example. It’s actually the shape of round-knit stockings, rather than the leg swelling tendency, that make such stockings problematic. In the case of obese women, we often face a major

problem in terms of mixed conditions, such as lipedema with adiposity and a secondary lymphedema caused by the adiposity. We have to explain all this to the patients – for example that they will not be able to eliminate pure lipedema by changing their diet; the predisposition will remain. However, an accompanying lymphedema can be effectively influenced if the adiposity can be reduced. Naturally, lymph drainage is also indicated for lymphedema. However, it makes no sense to only prescribe a lymph drainage if the actual cause is adiposity.

What else does the guideline recommend for treating lipedema?Dr. Faerber: In the case of accompanying excess weight or adiposity, the guideline calls for nutritional therapy, behavioral therapy, and exercise. Aqua cycling has proved to be a great sport in this regard. I don’t want to give the impression here that one can solve the problem simply by changing their diet and becoming more physically active – a notion that many lipedema patients rightly reject Nevertheless, both aspects should be systematically pursued in order to prevent further deterioration. †

“In the case of obese women, we often face a major problem in terms of mixed conditions, such as lipedema with adiposity and a secondary lymphedema caused by the adiposity.”

(Dr. med. Gabriele Faerber)

Lipedema, normal weight. Secondary stage 2 lymphedema.Lipedema, adiposity.


MEDICAL

Professor Dr. med. Jens Ellrich

From Medical Valley to Medical AffairsProf. Dr. med. Jens Ellrich moved his desk into the Bauerfeind Tower in Zeulenroda (Germany) in April 2018. The new Director of Medical Affairs is quite familiar with interfaces and how to stimulate them.

There’s nothing hesitant about Prof. Dr. med. Jens Ellrich. The new Director of Medical Affairs at Bauerfeind AG has a firm hand-shake and he looks you in the eye. Prof. Dr. med. Jens Ellrich, who wears a fitness tracker on his wrist , sits down on the edge of his chair and orders a double espresso in a cafe called Schwarzstark that’s located near the German Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, in so-called Medical Val-ley. It’s a trendy place, but the patrons stare at their laptops and phones rather than at mountains. In two hours, Prof. Dr. Ellrich is scheduled to host a series of presentations on neurostimulation at the MedTech Summit , a conference in Nuremberg that is attended by scientists and business representatives. Neurostimulation is his specialty. Before heading to the conference, Prof. Dr. Ellrich, a big fan of the FC Bayern soccer club, takes some time to talk to Bauerfeind life on his home turf, so to speak, as he has strong roots in Medical Valley in Erlangen. The area is not so much a valley as it is a hot spot for entrepreneurs and researchers. Indeed, Medical Valley boasts an impressive concen-tration of medical technology startups and institutes. It was in this melting pot of basic research and practical application that Prof. Dr. Ellrich worked as Chief Medical Officer for a startup, where he played the leading role in launching the company’s new products on the market. Prof. Dr. Ellrich’s family still lives in Erlangen, where he is also a professor of neurology at the city’s university.

Winner of European Pain Federation AwardHe has now moved from Erlangen to Zeulen-roda, from neurophysiology to the science of movement – although it’s a “short trip” for a physician who received a PhD in neurology with a dissertation on the sensory activation of excitation processes. Motor responses often occur in such processes, and these responses are something staff in Zeulenroda

are familiar with. Prof. Ellrich grew up in Mainz (Germany) and attended the univer-sity there. He also conducted research in Danish Aalborg and German Aachen, where he and his scientific team won the European Pain Federation Award in 2005 for their work on the suppression of pain memory by means of electrical stimulation in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. Another type of neurostimulation that improves propriocep-tion led to his first contact with Bauerfeind. “Together we studied how proprioceptive effects could be achieved by redesigning the MalleoLoc orthosis,” he recalls. “We also con-ducted similar experiments with GenuTrain. Even back then, I could tell I was dealing with an extremely dynamic company.”

Part of the Bauerfeind innovation chainWhen asked what he thinks his main tasks at Bauerfeind will be, Prof. Ellrich replies: “My focus will be on clinical development – in other words, generating the valid data that’s needed for approvals for me, the Medical Affairs department is also part of the Bau-erfeind innovation chain. To be successful , we need to establish an extensive exchange of information with the innovation center, various interfaces, and the people at Product Management and Marketing and Communica-tions. The best way to win over prescribing physicians is to provide conclusive evidence from studies conducted with our non-invasive products.” In other words, the provision of verifiable clinical data offers the best way to communicate with doctors. When asked how a neuroscience physician feels at a company that focuses on ortho-

pedic aids, trauma surgery, and phlebology, Prof. Ellrich laughs and says: “Excellent – it makes sense for two simple reasons. First , without sensory activity there can be no mo-tor function. Secondly, medical-based mech-anisms of action apply across all disciplines. It’s also a pleasure to talk every day with our people, who have provided me with numer-ous details about our products. You can re-ally feel the expertise of the 850 people who work in Zeulenroda.” Prof. Ellrich, 51, who experienced the rise of medical products up close in the form of implants, believes such medical aids have a great future: “They’ve long since established themselves as inde-pendent therapeutic products. For example, there is no credible treatment for chronic venous insufficiency without compression stockings. We make a major contribution to health economics when we change sen-sorimotor patterns with our non-invasive supports, orthoses, and foot orthoses at an early stage of disease development , and thus avoid or delay the use of an endoprothesis – and that’s not even taking the benefits for patients into account.”

Sensors in supports?Prof. Ellrich is also a visionary: he grabs his knee, lifts his wrist , and says, “the things in-side this fitness tracker are unbelievable. The advances made with digitization and micro-system technology have been so huge already that I could imagine generating health data using sensors embedded in a support.” Might such an interface make it possible to learn more about people who don’t respond to treatment? “Who knows?” says Prof. Ellrich. In any case, we still have far too many patients, about a third, who do not respond to treat-ments for whatever reason, and this is a major challenge for the future.” It appears the new Director of Medical Affairs won’t be getting bored any time soon – or running out of inter-faces. Indeed, stimulation is everything. †

“Non-invasive medical products also make a major contribution to health economics.”

(Prof. Dr. med. Jens Ellrich)


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Medical supply retailer with Spinova Support Plus in a hospital

“ Quality also means taking time for patients” Certified orthotist Eiko Limmer works at the medical supply retailer Spiegel in Fulda (Germany). When he visits the neigh-boring hospital , he usually brings two things with him: Spinova Support Plus and time to spend with patients who have had back surgery. The former makes the latter possible.

Bauerfeind life: How does Spinova Support Plus help you in the hospital?Eiko Limmer: Well , primarily it helps patients, of course. But until it gets to that point , it helps me. The orthosis is easy to transport and demonstrate, and it can be put on quickly. This saves time, which I can use to focus on conversations with patients. For-getting the quality that Bauerfeind products offer for the moment: quality also means taking time for patients.

How does a typical treatment work?Eiko Limmer: Along with our main office and our outlets in town, we also have a shop inside Fulda Hospital. This shop has all the torso orthotics products we need, and in all sizes, in stock. If we need to use Spinova Support Plus for a treatment , I do the patient fittings together with the doctor. This is usually done on the third day after surgery, at which time the patient is generally still bedridden. We wait longer than that in the case of complex inter-vention procedures, for example those involving stiff vertebrae combined with osteoporosis. First I put on the orthosis to show the patient how it’s done, then I put it on the patient. It takes me an average of 30-40 minutes to do this. Depending on the indication, the patient might wear the orthosis for around five to six weeks. The back pad can be removed in about ten days, depending on what the attending physician says. The main indications for use of the

orthosis in the hospital are spondylodeses and herniated disks.

Why do you use Spinova Support Plus in particular?Eiko Limmer: Stabilization of the lower back is the decisive aspect for us. Patients need support immediately after an opera-tion. We like the orthosis because it can be used individually and flexibly in various situations. In addition, after patients go home, they are able to use it on their own. Doctors also know that surgery results will be safeguarded and that the patient is in good hands. The ability to gradually remove parts of Spinova Support Plus also offers a major benefit. It increases mobility, and patient motivation, step by step.

How do you explain the benefits to patients?Eiko Limmer: We tell them that the orthosis will alleviate pain, which will quickly lend them mobility, and that this in turn sup-ports the healing process. Patients are just as interested in safeguarding the results of surgery as doctors are. They will try to avoid a repeat operation at all costs.

Do patients understand the benefits the orthosis offers?Eiko Limmer: They very quickly realize that mobility would not be possible without Spinova Support Plus, even though they’re not that extensively packed in circularly. The large stitches in the knitted fabric make the orthosis light and airy. Most patients like that a lot , especially in the summer, of course. They also appreciate practical aspects, such as the fact that the product can be machine-washed. Other products have to be hand-washed, which requires a lot of effort.

“We like the orthosis because it can be used individually and flexibly in various situations.”

(Eiko Limmer)


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The “plus“ for back supportThe Spinova Support Plus back support is a variant from the range of Spinova lumbar orthosis products. It stabilizes the lumbar spine and supports the patient’s natural lordosis. With its large back pad, Spinova Support Plus relieves the anterior column of the vertebral bodies in the case of ventral damage caused by anterior edge breaks or spinous process fractures, for example. It does this by correcting posture and redistributing forces onto the thoracic spine, pelvis, and the sacral bone. The orthosis can be downgraded gradually during the course of treatment. If the large back pad and the aluminum stays are removed from the back-setting device, the orthosis stabilizes like a Lindemann corset.

Patented variable force applicationThe lumbar orthosis, including the back pad, extends down to the lower thoracic spine. It wraps around the torso with a form-fitting support with integrated corset stays. The orthosis’ stabilizing force is applied in a targeted manner

via the patented Spinova tensioning strap system. To this end, the straps are attached to the back-setting device at variable heights, deflected, and connected in a closure system. When fastened centrally, the orthosis extends to the lumbar lordosis. The wider the selected strap distance, the less extensive the correction in the direction of the lordosis. The strap tension can be permanently adjusted with a torque wrench, which ensures that the stabilizing force is always the same when the orthosis is closed.Spinova Support Plus is used for post-operative and conservative treatments. Indications for the back orthosis are: lumbar vertebra fractures, spondylolysis/spondylolisthesis grade II, spondylolysis/kyphoplasty, herniated disks, osteoporosis, lumbar syndrome, and muscular insufficiency. The large back pad comes in a “Standard” variant for patients with a height above 1.70 meters and a “Short” version for patients below 1.70 meters. †

What did you think when you saw Spinova Support Plus for the first time?Eiko Limmer: Oh, I thought it was complicated, with all of its different components. That quickly proved to be a

misconception, however. Everything is in its place – for the patient as well. You can’t go wrong when you put it on – with all the markings on the top and bottom and the

inside and outside. The design itself ensures it’s easy to use. Patients notice immediately if something is on the wrong way.

What do you think is the most important benefit offered by the orthosis?Eiko Limmer: You’ll be surprised by this, but the answer is time, by which I mean time for me, but more importantly for patients and doctors. Doctors don’t want to wait long to order what may be an expensive corset , but before they order it , they want to be able to give patients the sense of security they need after surgery. They want to quickly be able to use a proven and individually adjustable product that supports the lumbar spine and relieves the ventral portions of the vertebral bodies. †

“Spinova Support Plus helps patients by relieving pain. It lends patients mobility more quickly, which in turn supports the healing process.”

(Eiko Limmer)

Certified orthotist Eiko Limmer from the medical supply retailer Spiegel in Fulda uses the Spinova Support Plus back orthosis for post-operative treatment.

With Spinova Support Plus, the tensioning straps are initially positioned in the center of the back-setting device in order to support the natural lordosis. After that , the strap tension can be set with a torque wrench.


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Occupational health management (OHM) at Deutsche Lufthansa AG

“A complete success” Lufthansa cabin crews conducted a four-week trial with compression stockings both at work and in their free time. When the trials ended, 94 percent of the participants reported experiencing partial to extensive personal benefits.

Carmen Jungbluth, Cabin Crew Health Management Consultant at Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

“We didn’t expect this type of positive re-sponse,” says Carmen Jungbluth, Cabin Crew Health Management Consultant at Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Cabin crew members were able to register for a four-week trial and monitoring program for VenoTrain compres-sion stockings. Those who registered were then measured for the stockings during a cabin crew health week event in November 2017. “We posted advance information on the trial and its dates on our intranet ,” she explains. “Within two days, we were fully booked with 100 participants, and we even set up a waiting list as well.” Bodytronic 600 was used to take digital and contact-

free measurements of crew members in ten-minute intervals. This ensured the products would fit participants perfectly.

All participants were also issued an activ-ity journal to complete during the four-week trial period. “A total of 97 journals were handed in after the trial , which is a

very impressive percentage,” says Carmen Jungbluth. The 86 activity journals that were handed in on time were used to help analyze the trial results. Most of the participants (83 percent) were women aged 20-60, 47 percent of which were over 40. “I think it’s remarkable that 17 percent of those who decided to partici-pate were men,” says Carmen Jungbluth. Each man was given two pairs of dark blue VenoTrain business knee stockings. The women were issued two pairs of VenoTrain micro feel-good stockings in a choice of either dark blue or one of two skin tones. “Among other things, the stockings had to meet our uniform requirements if the

trial was to be performed,” she explains. “There was no problem in this regard with the VenoTrain compression stockings from Bauerfeind.” Compression class 1 stockings were mostly used here, and in some cases compression class 2 stockings as well.

Fewer cases of “heavy” legsLufthansa Health Management staff and the Bauerfeind OHM team were particularly inter-ested in learning about the effect the use of medical com-pression stockings over four weeks would have on “heavy” or swollen legs – a condition typically experienced by those who have to work on their feet. The trial participants were asked in advance if they experienced this condition daily, several times a week, or never at all. One-third of them reported that they didn’t have the condition. By the end of the trial , this number had doubled – i.e. 65.1 percent now reported having no such symptoms. The other groups

“Within two days, we were fully booked with 100 participants, and we even set up a waiting list as well.”

(Carmen Jungbluth)


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also reported a decline in the occurrence of “heavy” or swollen legs: the number of participants who had reported occasional symptoms (one to two times per week) fell by 15 percentage points to 31.3 percent over the four-week trial period. All of the five participants who reported daily symptoms before the trial said that their situation had improved; not one of them

reported experiencing symptoms every day after the four weeks were up. All of this confirms a clear therapeutic effect in terms of both the frequency and intensity of symptoms. The impressive overall result of the trial was that 94 percent of the participants reported experiencing partial to extensive personal benefits from wearing the compression stockings.

“Very comfortable to wear”The experience of wearing compres-sion stockings was so pleasant for many participants that 85 percent of them decided to continue wearing the stockings after the trial period. The comments from the activity journals were also extremely positive – e.g. “very comfortable to wear,” “comfortable material ,” “never wore better stockings,” as well as numerous simi-lar assessments. The difficulties people sometimes experience when putting on compression stockings were not an issue for the cabin crew members. Instead, it was practice makes perfect , as 75 percent of the participants described the process of putting on the stockings as “simple.” It’s therefore not surprising that 89 percent said, based on their overall impressions, they would recommend the use of compres-sion stockings to colleagues and friends.

Trial may be repeated in the futureThe Cabin Crew Health Management department was very satisfied with the trial and its results. “It was a complete success,” says Carmen Jungbluth, “and I can imagine repeating such a trial in the future in order get more of our people to wear the stockings on a regular basis.” Carmen Jungbluth herself wears compression stockings not only during her long days at the office but also on long-haul flights. “I do that because I’ve found that my legs look exactly the same after the flight as they did before,” she says with a wink. “These days, modern compression stockings are indistinguishable from normal stockings, so a lot has really changed here.” †

“These days, modern compression stockings are indistinguishable from normal stockings.”

(Carmen Jungbluth)

of the four-week compression stocking trial at Deutsche Lufthansa:

• More than 66 percent of participants experienced a positive change during the trial period.

• 94 percent said wearing the compression stockings resulted in extensive personal benefits.

• 89 percent said based on their overall impressions, they would recommend the use of compression stockings to others.

Results

Cabin crew members who participated in the trial were able to choose between VenoTrain micro in caramel and navy.


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Foot orthoses for diabetics – with Bodytronic ID:CAM

“Treatment for diabetics is an issue in and of itself,” says Jan Fritzsch, the 38-year-old Managing Director of the Andreas Fritzsch GmbH medical supply retailer, which operates outlets in Attendorn and Lennestadt-Altenhundem. “Actually, one should start using indication-appropriate orthotic care measures as soon as a diagnosis of diabetes is made.” The problem is that people often aren’t aware of this: “Even today, I still get diabetes patients coming in with prescriptions for cork/leather foot orthoses.”

Awareness is importantPatients themselves also aren’t always aware of how serious their situation is. Many patients therefore develop polyneu-ropathy at an early stage of their illness. Because of the nerve damage this causes, those affected don’t notice when pressure points form on their feet. Many patients also have an attitude that can be summed up as: “Why should I treat something that doesn’t hurt?” Jan Fritzsch is therefore firmly convinced that “physicians not only need to prepare patients for appropriate medications but also make them aware of the dramatic consequences diabetes can have for their feet.”The reduced pain perception in particular makes early pressure relief with foot

orthoses an essential component of a holistic therapeutic approach. “There’s also another aspect ,” says Jan Fritzsch. “Like the rest of the population, diabetics sometimes have foot misalignments. If a slight foot misalignment is left untreated, it might develop into a severe misalignment. This will make treatment more difficult later on because orthopedically speaking, a crooked foot can only be corrected with pressure, and pressure is counterproductive with diabetics.”

Premium care provided with milled orthoses in most casesThe Bauerfeind quality partner is happy about the fact that with ErgoPad ID:Diabetes, Bauerfeind now has a milled

orthosis that serves as the basis for diabetes-adapted foot cushioning – and Fritzsch can individually model it using Bodytronic ID:CAM. “Milled orthoses already account for around 70 percent of our high-quality foot orthoses,” he

explains. “The depth of detail here is greater than anything the traditional sandwich design can offer. For example, if I say lower the fifth MTP joint by

“ Keeping pace with technological developments” With the Bodytronic ID:CAM system solution from Bauerfeind, orthotists can individually model orthoses and then have them milled at Bauerfeind – since recently for sensitive diabetic feet as well. This is a good thing, according to the German Bauerfeind quality partner Jan Fritzsch.

“Actually, one should start using indication-appropriate orthotic care measures as soon as a diagnosis of diabetes is made.”

(Jan Fritzsch)

“The most important factor is still a good orthotist who can produce a high-quality product ,” says Jan Fritzsch, Managing Director of the Andreas Fritzsch GmbH medical supply retailer.


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1.5 millimeters, then Bodytronic ID:CAM will do exactly that. It’s almost impossible to depict something like that with your hands, or at least you can’t do it that quickly.”

Good experiences with the Bauerfeind system solutionFritzsch’s staff in the Sauerland region of Germany have been working with the Bodytronic ID:CAM web application since the system was introduced in 2015. “Before that , we used an external milling solution, but the Bauerfeind web application won me over,” Jan Fritzsch explains. “The depth of detail , the various configuration possibilities, the exact reproducibility, and the simple and intuitive way the software works were truly impressive.” Four of Fritzsch’s 15 employees manage the foot orthoses orders – and all four also work with Bodytronic ID:CAM, usually with the “Advanced” profile. It’s important to Jan Fritzsch that those who advise customers and examine and measure their feet also shape the foot orthosis.

Extensive measurement data for treating diabeticsFritzsch’s outlets all have computers installed directly in the foot orthosis measurement rooms. Measurement data is uploaded to these computers, after which the orthoses are modeled using Bodytronic ID:CAM – in the shortest time possible

after the customer’s appointment. Whereas a foot scan is usually conducted for the modeling of a standard foot orthosis, the team at the medical supply retailer employs the complete repertoire when foot ortho-ses are modeled for diabetics. Here, a foot scan is performed, a measurement of foot pressure distribution and pressure peaks is taken, and a foam imprint is made. “The foam imprint is digitized by the Bodytronic

600 measurement system,” Jan Fritzsch explains. “Bodytronic ID:CAM then uses the 3D model generated as a result to create an electronic cast , so to speak. This is where some people have problems because many orthosis specialists prefer a physical cast that they can hold, which means they can see and feel the model of the orthosis they will produce. In the end, however, we do the same work with Bodytronic ID:CAM, only we do it on a screen. In this sense, only one part of the process for supplying a foot orthosis has been modernized here.”

Special “diabetes algorithm”A specially developed algorithm that provides for optimal pressure distribution is used to create the topography for the new ErgoPad ID:Diabetes soft cushioning or-thosis. Here, the orthotist can individually combine the required thicknesses of soft padding on the computer. “For example, if I want to attach a cushion layer that’s three millimeters thick, Bodytronic ID:CAM will make the foot orthosis three millimeters lower in order to ensure the final product is the right height ,” Jan Fritzsch explains.

When configuring the orthosis, the orthotist can use layers with different degrees of firmness to guide the foot , support the foot arches, and correct foot misalignments. Special pressure relief zones and functional elements can also be incorporated as required. Once the foot orthosis has been fully modeled, the orthotist sends the data to Bauerfeind, where the base layer of the cushioning is milled to fit the foot of the wearer exactly. “Normally, we receive the milled orthoses within two business days. After that , we cover them and make sure they fit perfectly in the patient’s shoes.” Jan Fritzsch appreciates the Bodytronic ID:CAM web application’s depth of detail and intuitive menu. >>>

“Milled orthoses already account for around 70 percent of our high-quality foot orthoses.”

(Jan Fritzsch)

“In the end, however, we do the same work with Bodytronic ID:CAM, only we do it on a screen.”

(Jan Fritzsch)


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The physician and medical retailer brochure for ErgoPadfoot orthoses for diabetics can be ordered by calling the following number: + 49 (0) 36628 661 660 The Bodytronic ID:CAM web application is available any time at www.bauerfeind.com/idcam

Long-lasting soft cushioning with Vepur special foamJan Fritzsch is pleased that Bauerfeind has developed a soft foam known as Vepur that offers a particularly high degree of shape retention. “It’s absolutely essential in our business as well that we keep pace

with technological developments in terms of both manufacturing technology and materials,” he says. He is impressed by the Vepur viscoelastic soft foam: “A high level of pressure and shock absorption and long-lasting shape retention offer benefits to diabetics in particular. Even if patients don’t think about their health as much as they should, the foot orthosis stays in their shoe for two years.” Whether or not the

shape retention of ErgoPad ID:Diabetes is maintained over the same period remains to be seen however, Jan Fritzsch points out with a wink. If customers then want to

obtain another foot orthosis, Bodytronic ID:CAM makes it possible to supply them with the exact same product. They just need to be measured again to make sure nothing has changed. This offers benefits in terms of stock-keeping as well , as the “electronic casts” can be stored digitally in unlimited numbers without taking up any space whatsoever. “The individual modeling of milled orthoses using Bodytronic ID:CAM is a logical and extremely helpful piece of the puzzle when it comes to the overall provision of care,” says Jan Fritzsch. “Nevertheless, the most important factor is still a good orthotist who can draw up an accurate and holistic case history and who also has the knowledge and the craftsmanship skills needed to produce a high-quality product. Theoretically, ID:CAM can be used to mill just about anything. Ultimately, however, it is the experience and expertise of a technician that determines whether or not a pad is in the proper position, whether the arch support fits, or whether a foot orthosis offers a soft cushioning that is truly adapted to the needs of diabetics.” †

>>>

ErgoPad ID:Diabetes: basis for specially adapted foot cushioning for diabetics.

Customized complete foot cushioning

The ErgoPad ID:Diabetes milled foot orthosis serves as the basis for specially adapted foot cushioning for patients in DFS risk categories II to VII. Its multi-layer, long-sole soft padding (which includes the Vepur soft foam available exclusively from Bauerfeind) ensures load absorption, pressure redistribution, and pressure peak reduction. Vepur provides for extremely high pressure and shock absorption, and long-lasting shape retention. The web application for creating the foot orthosis topology with Bodytronic ID:CAM uses a specially developed algo-rithm for optimal pressure distribution. After the individual modeling process, Bauerfeind mills the foot orthosis to achieve the perfect fit for the patient’s foot , before sending it to the medical retailer, where it is fully assembled and fitted into the patient’s shoe.

ErgoPad ID:Diabetes

Bodytronic ID:CAM can also be used to modify the shape of the foot orthosis’ inner sole. The completely modeled orthosis pair is milled at Bauerfeind in Zeulenroda.

“The modeling of milled orthoses using Bodytronic ID:CAM is a logical and extremely helpful piece of the puzzle when it comes to the overall provision of care.”

(Jan Fritzsch)


RETAIL

Further information

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Bauerfeind advertising materials shop for German quality partners

Just a few clicks to get the item you needWhether it’s decorative materials, a customized mail template for an orthosis check, or give-aways adorned with your logo – quality partners can order a wide range of marketing materials quickly and conveniently online from the Bauerfeind advertising materials shop.

Michael Borrmann, Managing Director of Hans Sachs Orthopädie Schuhtechnik Dres-den GmbH, only needed a few clicks to order the Deco Pack for the VenoTrain fashion col-ors, as well as other marketing materials for his new store, which is his seventh outlet. “The online advertising materials shop is

really very practical ,” he says. “The order process moves quickly and you can order any time of the day or night. I used to look through the printed catalog and then order by phone. When I check things on the

Internet , I always know what’s currently available. I’ve also found some interesting items that I never noticed in the catalog before. I’m really glad that my Bauerfeind sales representative told me about this new way to order advertising materials.”

Easy to useMichael Borrmann wasn’t hesitant about using the online service for advertising materials; after all , he’d been ordering his medical aids via Bauerfeind’s online shop for years. The advertising materials shop also has an intuitive setup. “What’s really nice is that after you log in, your current marketing credit is immediately displayed,” says the Bauerfeind quality partner. “When you click on ‘My account ,’ you can view orders that are being processed or have already been completed. I’ve also gotten

into the habit of checking the advertising materials shop every once in a while to see what’s new there.” That’s not a bad idea, as the “New” section at the website contains the latest offers, which are continuously updated and include special discounts on certain materials and free checklists for advertising campaign events.

Easy to customize materialsMichael Borrmann has yet to use one of the most exceptional features, however: the advertising materials shop allows quality partners to customize numerous market-ing materials by placing their own logo on them. The materials can then be ordered, and the whole process is completely easy to use. “I’m going to use that feature before our next trade fair presentation,” he says. “People like it when they can take a little gift home with them. The give-aways with our logo and the Bauerfeind logo also make it possible for me to send a message of quality along with the promotional item.” Ad campaign materials can also be custom-ized online for specific needs. This saves quality partners a lot of time and effort when they stage health presentations or marketing events, for example. †

Happy to use the advertising materials shop: Managing Director Michael Borrmann.

Extensive range of advertising materials.

“The order process moves quickly at the online advertising materi-als shop, and you can order any time of the day or night.”

(Michael Borrmann)


RETAIL

The Biosphere next to the Saint Laurence River is a landmark in Montreal. The geodesic dome, which was built for Expo 67, now houses the Biosphere Environment Museum.


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Joie de vivre in Montreal On the road in eastern Canada

The 39th SICOT Orthopaedic World Congress will take place in Montreal from October 10-13, 2018. Canada’s second largest city is a fascinating place that’s known for its numerous French influences, a great variety of festivals, and the best bagels in the country. >>>


PLACE TO BE

bookshops in the Plateau-Mont-Royal district in the northeastern part of the city, where artists and students have created an atmosphere of creativity. Plateau-Mont-Royal is also where William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk on Star Trek, grew up. The indie rock band Arcade Fire also comes from the district , which is named after Mont Royal (233 meters), a large hill located in the middle of the city that bears its royal name – Montreal.

The downtown experienceMany parts of Montreal contain typical American-style skyscrapers. This is particu-larly the case in the Centre Ville (downtown area), which makes a big impression not only with its skyline but also with the world’s largest underground complex – an extensive network of pedestrian tunnels that extends over 33 kilometers and con-nects subway stations, concert halls, and shopping centers. One should definitely take a stroll through the Promenades Cathé-drale underground shopping mall. The mall was actually built to support Christ Church Cathedral above, which had begun to sink into the ground. Speaking of churches, Montreal is also referred to as the city of

100 steeples. The most impressive churches in the city include Notre-Dame de Montréal and Saint Joseph's Oratory, which is the largest church in Canada. The well-preserved Vieux-Montréal (Old Montreal) offers an interesting contrast to the modern downtown area. Old Montreal is located between the Saint Laurence River and the Centre Ville. With its cobblestone streets and buildings constructed as far back as three centuries ago, this district looks more like an old European city than part of a modern Canadian metropolis.

Always a festivalMontreal is a city of exciting festivals that take place all year round. From jazz to stand-up comedy, Montreal hosts a wide range of events that attract millions of visi-tors from around the world each year. Most of the festivals are held in the Quartier des Spectacles among the skyscrapers in the Centre Ville, a location that boasts as many as 30 concert halls and outdoor stages. The festival season usually begins sometime between the end of June and end of July with the 11-day Festival International de Jazz de Montréal , which is considered to be the largest jazz festival of its kind. †

Those who visit Montreal for the first time quickly notice that the city is proud of its French heritage. Montreal is actually the second largest city in the French-speaking world after Paris. This is no accident , as Montreal was founded on the Saint Lau-rence River in 1641 by French colonists and was an important fur-trading post for the French for a very long time. These days, Montreal retains much of the typical French joie de vivre, or “joy of living.” It’s colorful townhouses, the unconventional lifestyle of its inhabitants, and its love of good cuisine and art often lead to comparisons between Quebec’s largest city and Paris. Those who wish to experience Montreal’s Parisian charm up close should visit the cafes and

Through the royal city

The Montreal skyline.

Notre-Dame de Montréal , located in the old town, is one of the most beautiful churches in Montreal. Canadian singer Céline Dion had her wedding there.

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The mother of all bagels (as the newspaper clippings on the wall proclaim) is to be found in the St-Viateur Bagel Shop, which sells freshly made bagels of all types, and at all hours of the day and night. 263 St. Viateur Ouest , Montreal , www.stviateurbagel.com

St-Viateur Bagel Shop Jardin botanique de Montréal

The 748,600-square-meter botanical garden has 22,000 dif-ferent plant species and 30 thematic gardens for visitors to admire. The highlight is the Chinese Garden, the largest such garden outside of China. Along with garden art , this facility also stages exhibits of Asian culture, such as tea ceremonies. 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est , Montreal , http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/botanical-garden

A green experienceTime for a snack

Biodôme de Montréal

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is the city’s largest and oldest museum. The museum’s magnificent building complex and its exhibitions of classic and contemporary art attract half a million visitors each year. 1380 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest , Montreal , www.mbam.qc.ca/en/

Montreal’s Biodôme (House of Life) has a zoo, an aquarium, and a nature reserve – all housed under a futuristic glass roof. The Biodôme simulates five different ecosystems – everything from North America to the tropics and Ant-arctica – and is also home to 250 animal species and 500 plant species. 4777, avenue Pierre-De Coubertin, Montreal , http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/biodome

A variety of animal life

Montreal Museum of Fine ArtsArtful

Marché Jean-Talon

Marché Jean-Talon embodies the rural side of Montreal. Some 300 farmers offer fresh produce ranging from fruits and vegetables to maple syrup and fresh salmon at this farmers market in the city’s Little Italy (La Petite Italie) district. 7070 Henri-Julien Avenue, Montreal

Fresh and regional

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Addresses at a glanceWith numerous subsidiaries and distributors around the world, Bauerfeind has a strong global presence. It employs modern logistics solutions to ensure that its high-quality products, which are manufactured exclusively in Germany, always reach its trading partners quickly. In total , around 2,000 employees worldwide work for the success of the company and with patient well-being in mind. †

GERMANY

Bauerfeind AG Triebeser Straße 16 07937 Zeulenroda-Triebes Germany Phone: +49 (0) 36628-66-10 00 Fax: +49 (0) 36628-66-19 99 Email: [email protected]

Service hotline: for international inquiries, please contact Phone: +49 (0) 36628 661 660 Fax: +49 (0) 36628 661 699

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CONTACT


istockphoto.com


UNITED ARAB EMIRATESBauerfeind Middle East FZ-LLC GF-09, District 1, 71 MPC Building Dubai Healthcare City P.O. Box 505116 DUBAI Phone: +971 4 4335 685 Fax: +971 4 4370 344 E-Mail: [email protected]

SINGAPOREBauerfeind Singapore Pte Ltd.Blk 41 Cambridge Road #01-21SINGAPORE 210041Phone: +65 6396 3497Fax: +65 6295 5062E-Mail: [email protected]

Bauerfeind USA, Inc.1230 Peachtree St NESuite 1000ATLANTA, GA 30309 Phone: +1 800 423 3405Phone: +1 404 201 7800 Fax: +1 404 201 7839E-Mail: [email protected]

BELGIUMBauerfeind Benelux B.V. Waarderveldweg 1 2031 BK HAARLEM Phone: +32 (0) 2 527 40 60 Fax: +32 (0) 2 792 53 45 E-Mail: [email protected] www.bauerfeind.be

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINABauerfeind d.o.o.Meše Selmovića 1971000 SARAJEVO Phone: +387 (0) 33 710 100Fax: +387 (0) 33 619 422Email: [email protected]

FRANCEBauerfeind France S.A.R.L.B.P. 5025895957 ROISSY CDG CEDEX Phone: +33 (0) 1 4863 28 96Fax: +33 (0) 1 4863 29 63E-Mail: [email protected]

ITALYBauerfeind AGFiliale ItalianaPiazza Don Enrico Mapelli 7520099 SESTO SAN GIOVANNI (MI)Phone: +39 02 8977 6310Fax: +39 02 8977 5900E-Mail: [email protected]

CROATIABauerfeind d.o.o.Goleška 2010020 ZAGREBPhone: +385 (0) 1 6542 855Fax: +385 (0) 1 6542 860E-Mail: [email protected]

THE NETHERLANDSBauerfeind Benelux B.V. Waarderveldweg 1 2031 BK HAARLEM Phone: +31 (0) 23 531 94 27 Fax: +31 (0) 23 532 19 70 E-Mail: [email protected] www.bauerfeind.nl

NORDICBauerfeind Nordic ABKungsholmstorg 811221 STOCKHOLMPhone: +46 (0) 774 100 020Fax: +46 (0) 774 100 021E-Mail: [email protected]

AUSTRIABauerfeind Ges.m.b.H.Hainburger Straße 331030 WIENPhone: +43 (0) 800 4430 130Fax: +43 (0) 800 4430 131E-Mail: [email protected]

REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIABauerfeind Dooel Skopje50 Divizija 24 a1000 SKOPJEPhone: +389 (0) 2 3179 002Fax: +389 (0) 2 3179 004E-Mail: [email protected]

SWITZERLANDBauerfeind AG Vorderi Böde 5 5452 OBERROHRDORF Phone: +41 (0) 56 485 82 42 Fax: +41 (0) 56 485 82 59 E-Mail: [email protected]

SERBIABauerfeind d.o.o.102 Omladinskih brigada 11070 NOVI BEOGRADPhone: +381 (0) 11 2287 050Fax: +381 (0) 11 2287 052E-Mail: [email protected]

SLOVENIABauerfeind d.o.o.Dolenjska cesta 242 b 1000 LJUBLJANAPhone:+386 (0)1 4272 941Fax: +386 (0)1 4272 951E-Mail: [email protected]

SPAINBauerfeind Ibérica, S.A.Historiador Diago, 1346007 VALENCIAPhone: +34 96 385 66 33Fax: +34 96 385 66 99E-Mail: [email protected]

UNITED KINGDOMBauerfeind UK85 Tottenham Court Road LONDON W1T 4TQPhone: +44 (0) 121 446 53 53Fax: +44 (0) 121 446 54 54E-Mail: [email protected]

USA

MIDDLE EAST

ASIA

EUROPE

CONTACT





www.bauerfeind.be






www.bauerfeind.nl









BAUERFEIND FOOT ORTHOSES PORTFOLIOFOR ACUTE AND CHRONIC HEEL AND ANKLE PAIN.Viscoelastic heel cushions and orthopedic orthoses with PowerWave and Relief Core Technology by Bauerfeind are effective tools for the customized therapeutic treatment of chronic heel and ankle pain. The innovative foot orthosis technology enables effective pain reduction in the heel and provides targeted support for the foot in its natural functions.

A stable foot and a pain-free heel are the right basis to make a strong impression every day.

BAUERFEIND.COM

POWERWAVE®TECHNOLOGY

RELIEVING FAN DESIGN AND INTELLIGENT CONNECTION

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OT World 2018 (1)

LumboTrain-Study: Demonstrably greater muscle activity and more rapid alleviation of back pain During the World Congress for the OTWorld international trade show in Leipzig (Germany) Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Anders reported on the latest study results regarding pain reduction achieved through the use of the LumboTrain back support with patients suffering from acute non-specific back pain. Christoph Anders is an Adjunct Profes-sor of Pathophysiology at Jena University Hospital and Chief Re-searcher at the Clinic for Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery at the German Jena University Hospital. Prof. Anders was already able to prove in a previous study that the use of LumboTrain on healthy test subjects led to increased activity in back muscles. He then included patients with acute lumbar back pain in the prospec-tive study that followed. Half of the test subjects wore the compres-sive lumbar support , and Prof. Anders once again measured a higher level of back-muscle activity in the group that wore the support as compared to the control group. He also found that patients who used LumboTrain experienced more rapid alleviation of their back pain. Prof. Anders, who headed up the study, summarizes his find-ings as follows: “The support can be understood as providing passive stabilization to abdominal muscles and a simultaneous stimulating effect on the back muscles. This combination of effects promotes and thereby shortens the natural healing process.” †

OT World 2018 (2)

The Moritzbastei, which is the only remaining part of the ancient town fortifications of Leipzig (Germany) provided the cultural backdrop for a Bauerfeind AG customer event during OT World. The following people met in the historical building (from left): Georg Blome, Managing Director of the German Association for Orthopedic Technology (BIV-OT), Michael Leistenschneider, Head of Sales, Bauerfeind AG, Alf Reuter, Vice President of BIV-OT , Werner Dierolf, President

of the Central Association for Orthopedic Shoe Technology, Thomas Keppler, Global Head of Marketing, Bauerfeind AG, and Klaus-Jürgen Lotz, President of BIV-OT. For Bauerfeind Michael Leistenschneider drew a positive conclusion: “OT World rightly has its reputation as the leading trade fair for orthopedic technology. Once again, we were able to welcome a large number of guests to our booth – both from home and abroad. “ †

Meeting in a dignified setting

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PEOPLE

Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Anders, Jena University Hospital.



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TAKE A LOOK ON THE NEW COLOR CONCEPT.

VenoTrain micro – the fashionable stocking in seven standard and two fashion colors.

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LOOK GOOD AND FEEL GREAT

Medical compression stockings

VenoTrain® micro

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magazine€¦ · Bauerfeind brand to life at the first flagship store in Australia.” Another...

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