The modern healthcare system is constantly evolving, and the prosthetics field requires new systemic solutions, in particular, the continuous development of Ukrainian specialists.
As an official provider of continuous professional education, FFU Foundation conducts training events for prosthetists, rehabilitation specialists, and industry experts. Participants earn CPD credits in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine for annual specialist certification.
On September 19–20, Future for Ukraine, in partnership with the Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics (USA) and PT EDUCATION LLC (USA), conducted a two-day practical course on upper limb prosthetics of the complex amputation levels: shoulder disarticulation or extremely short transhumoral stumps.
The event was organized as a hands-on training session. Leading specialists from the USA — upper limb prosthetist Jamie Vandersea and Doctor of Physical Therapy, practicing physical therapist Farhad Ostovari — shared their extensive experience and expertise.
The course brought together 18 Ukrainian experts in the field from SUPERHUMANS, UNBROKEN, Ortoped, and other prosthetics centers.
“There are now far more complex amputations caused by combat and blast injuries. Such wounds are usually polytraumas involving damage to tissues, organs, and systems, which makes the prosthetic process particularly challenging. That’s why the American experience is extremely valuable for us today,” says Oleh Bykovets, Medical Director of the ‘Ortoped’ Prosthetic Center (Poltava).
During the two-day training course, participants mastered:
- modern techniques for upper limb prosthetics;
- protocols for selecting functional prosthetic devices;
- methods for rehabilitation before, during, and after prosthetics;
- collaboration protocols between prosthetists and physical therapists;
- approaches to comprehensive patient support — from initial rehabilitation to daily prosthetic use
“Prosthetics is developing at a tremendous pace. The number of patients who come to us just a month or two after surgery is constantly growing. On the one hand, this allows for more effective rehabilitation; on the other, it requires more highly skilled professionals. To truly help Ukrainians who have lost limbs, we must constantly learn and improve our skills,” says Oksana Lekhniak, prosthetist at the UNBROKEN Prosthetics and Orthotics Center.
All participants received certificates and 26 CPD points, while veterans also had the opportunity to test a bionic hand by Ukrainian manufacturer Esper Bionics.
Together, we’ve taken another important step toward advancing the system of prosthetics and rehabilitation in Ukraine!
