O&P Research Insights with Dr. Steve Gard

In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, speaks with Cody McDonald, PhD, MPH, CPO, assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington, and Benjamin Darter, PhD, PT, chair and an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University, about their JPO article, “Bo...

In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, speaks with Amandi Rhett, MS, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, assistant professor in the Baylor College of Medicine Orthotics and Prosthetics Program and assistant dean of community health at the college’s School of Health Professions, about the impact of microaggressions in healthcare and efforts to address them within...

In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, is joined by Aarti Deshpande, MS, CPO, FAAOP, clinical manager at the University of California San Francisco Orthotic and Prosthetics Center, to discuss her 2026 Academy Annual Meeting session, “Lessons From Sustained Multidisciplinary Research Collaborations in Global Rehabilitation.” Drawing on experien...

In this episode, recorded live at the 52nd Academy Annual Meeting in Nashville, Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, is joined by Scott Thach, MSPO, CPO, LPO, a pediatric-certified prosthetist-orthotist at Shriners Children's Hawaii, to discuss his 2025 JPO Article of the Year centered on cranial remolding orthosis (CRO) wear time for deformational plagiocep...

In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, is joined by Kiley Armstrong, MPO, CPO, Research Prosthetist-Orthotist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and Juan Cave II, MSPO, CPO, FAAOP, Advanced Research Prosthetist-Orthotist at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, for a conversation on why clinically relevant O&P resea...

In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, is joined by Jennifer Richards, MA, CPO, to discuss her research on how daily orthotic wear time affects treatment outcomes for pectus carinatum. Drawing on a review of 67 patients treated at the University of Michigan Orthotics and Prosthetics Center, Jennifer explains why consistent wear—at least 16 hou...

In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, sits down with Tiffany Graham, MSPO, CPO, LPO, FAAOP(D), to discuss her research on the effectiveness of 3D-printed cranial remolding orthoses (CROs) for infants. Tiffany walks through the evolution of CRO design—from early fabrication techniques to today’s innovative 3D-printing approaches—and shares ins...

In this episode, Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics editor-in-chief Dr. Steve Gard sits down with three emerging scholars in the orthotics and prosthetics profession: Emily Dinelli, CPO; Samantha Stauffer, CPO; and Kenny Cho. Each PhD student shares their unique path into ONP, what inspired them to pursue advanced research, and how their current projects aim to improve clinical care and patient...

In this episode, Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics editor-in-chief Dr. Steve Gard talks with Dr. Corey S. Gill, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Scottish Rite for Children, about his research on international patients with lower-limb deficiencies treated at a U.S. pediatric prosthesis clinic. Dr. Gill discusses the global scope of these conditions, noting the high number of children from low-...

In this episode, Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics editor-in-chief Dr. Steve Gard speaks with Dr. Alexandria Mallinos, clinical research scientist at Akron Children’s Hospital. They explore her study on custom ACL braces for adolescents, which showed significant reductions in tibial displacement and highlighted the critical role of proper orthosis fit. Dr. Mallinos also discusses how finite ele...

In this episode, Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics editor-in-chief Dr. Steve Gard speaks with Jeremy Sherman, MS, CPO, LPO, associate program director and assistant professor in the Orthotics and Prosthetics program at Baylor College of Medicine. They discuss Sherman’s study on developing a hand skills testing methodology for O&P, highlighting the challenges and importance of objectively ev...

In this episode, Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics editor-in-chief Dr. Steve Gard sits down with Jeremy Sherman, MS, CPO, LPO, the associate program director for the orthotics and prosthetics program, and an assistant professor in the School of Health Professions at Baylor College of Medicine. Together, they explore Sherman's research on ergonomic challenges, overuse injuries, and the widesprea...

In this episode, Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics editor-in-chief Dr. Steve Gard speaks with Megan Grunst, MPO, a prosthetic resident at the Minneapolis VA and incoming orthotic resident at Orthotic Care Services. They discuss her recent research on the psychosocial and behavioral outcomes associated with carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses and an intensive rehabilitation program. The convers...

In this episode, Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics editor-in-chief Dr. Steve Gard welcomes Brittany Pousett, CP, MSc, director of clinical research at Barber Prosthetics Clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia, for a compelling conversation about her recent study examining the relationship between prosthetic socket comfort, pain, and mobility across key treatment milestones for individuals with l...

In this episode, Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics editor-in-chief Dr. Steve Gard is joined by Ashlie White, MA, chief strategy and programs officer at the Amputee Coalition, and Dr. Shane Wurdeman, CP, FAAOP(D), chief clinical officer at the Hanger Institute and Hanger Clinic. Together, they explore the critical role of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Program (OPORP), a federal...

In this episode, Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics Editor-in-Chief Dr. Steve Gard speaks with Dr. Linda Resnik, recipient of the inaugural JPO Article of the Year Award. A leading physical therapist and research scientist at the Providence VA Medical Center, Dr. Resnik shares insights into her groundbreaking work on rehabilitation outcomes for limb amputations. The conversation explores her car...

Join Dr. Steve Gard, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, as he talks with Philip Muccio, founder & CEO of AxioBionics, about his study on Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and its impact on arm use in hemiparetic and hemiplegic patients. They explore the development of the Axiobionics Biosleeve, study findings showing increased arm movement over time, and how...

In our season 4 premiere, Dr. Steve Gard, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JPO), speaks with Dr. Brian Hafner, a renowned professor and researcher at the University of Washington, about the peer review process in scientific publishing. Together, they explore the critical role of peer review in maintaining high standards in research, emphasizing the responsibilities and...

Join Dr. Steve Gard, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, as he chats with Tiffany Graham, MSPO, CPO, LPO, FAAOP(D), about her study aimed to update cephalic index (CI) norms. Current CI standards are based on outdated data from over 50 years ago, predominantly from individuals of West German heritage, highlighting the need for more inclusive and modern benchmarks. Graham s...

Join Dr. Steve Gard, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, as he chats with Murray Maitland, PT, PhD, about his research on improving prosthetic foot design to enhance frontal plane motion. His study examined 21 individuals with unilateral below-knee amputations, comparing a new prosthetic foot design with a locked and traditional foot. Featuring an innovative sliding mechan...

Join Dr. Steve Gard, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, as he chats with Jennifer Richards, MA, CPO, about her research on cranial remolding orthosis (CRO) treatment for plagiocephaly. Affecting one in five infants, the incidence of plagiocephaly has risen significantly, with CROs being a common treatment. They dive into the success rates based on age and severity at trea...

In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, talks with Dr. Norbert Kang and Mr. Alex Woolard, both plastic surgeons at the Royal Free Hospital in London. They explore the use of targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) in upper-limb amputees, focusing on its impact on pain management and quality of life. While TMR has shown to provide lasting pain relie...

In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, chats with Eric Weber, LCPO, FAAOP, and Glen Thompson, MS, CPO. They delve into the essential work of the Academy's Outcomes Research Committee (ORC), discussing how the ORC helps Academy members effectively gather, use, and report outcome measures in clinical practice. They also explore the committee's r...

In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, sits down with Dr. Linda Resnik, a physical therapist and researcher at the Providence VA Medical Center and professor at Brown University. They delve into Dr. Resnik's recent study on the prevalence and predictors of unmet needs for upper-limb prostheses. The discussion covers the challenges faced by ind...

In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, sits down with Tiffany Graham, MSPO, CPO, LPO, FAAOP(D), to explore her research on the effectiveness of cranial remolding orthoses for the treatment of deformational brachycephaly. They discuss her interest in the topic, the study's overall focus, methodology and resulting data, participants' demographic...