Tag: #prothetist

Kinesiology Paths: Prosthetics and Orthotics

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Bradley Carver- Louisiana Tech BS Kinesiology 2013 Northwestern University–Chicago Masters of Prosthetics and Orthotics 2018

My name is Bradley Carver and I am a Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist. I graduated from LA Tech in 2013 where I majored in Clinical Kinesiology. I, like many others, had always wanted to be a Physical Therapist. I attended LA Tech with this goal in mind. I always knew I wanted to help people so Physical Therapy seemed to be the logical career path. The first year I applied to schools I was rejected from everywhere I applied to. I wasn’t completely surprised by this but was still somewhat caught off guard. At this time, I decided it was best to get a job as a PT technician so that I could get some experience in the field while trying to improve my resume. I re-applied the next year for PT school and was rejected again. At this point I started to get nervous because the plan I had for myself for so many years started to fall apart. When trying again a third time, I finally prayed about the decision for PT. For the third straight year I was rejected from all PT schools and had no idea what was next.

At this point I began looking into alternative careers in sales, fitness, coaching or anything else I could wrap my mind around. I wasn’t completely sure what else to do with my degree since my initial plan was all I had ever considered. I spent several weeks interviewing for jobs and researching career paths with no success. So again, I took it to God. At this point I was watching a show where I saw someone doing Prosthetics and I thought “well that would be pretty cool”. So, I began to research what all this entailed. At this point I discovered that I had all of the pre-requisite courses required due to the curriculum required during undergrad and that all I needed was shadowing experience. I continued to do research on this field as it quickly felt like this was a door that God had opened for me. The next day, I was having dinner at a restaurant with my girlfriend, now wife Jordan, where I was telling her about praying about what to do and coming across Prosthetics. At which point, a man with a prosthetic leg got up from across the restaurant and walked right past us and left. Jordan then looked at me and said “well I think that was your sign”.

The next day I updated my resume and dropped it off at all 4 clinics in the Monroe/West Monroe area explaining that I was interested in the field and was just looking to volunteer so that I could decide if this was something I wanted to do. Only one of the clinics allowed me to stay and do some shadowing. He allowed me to volunteer for several weeks before we decided that this was a career path I was seriously considering. Upon making this decision, I began handling many tasks for this company. I did some marketing, purchasing and inventory, minor patient care and technical work which included fabricating the prosthetic limbs. I instantly fell in love with this field and decided that I wanted to apply to schools. I knew this was the career path God had for me as my first year applying, I was accepted to several of the schools that I applied to. I chose to attend Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. I was in their Masters of Prosthetics and Orthotics program from 2016-2018. We then moved to Memphis, TN to complete my two-year residency.

While in Memphis, I worked at a company that specialized in Pediatrics and Orthopedics. Prior to this residency, I had almost no interest in Orthotics (custom bracing) but decided I would complete a residency in this as it was part of my Masters degree. I quickly fell in love with Orthotics and we saw a significant amount of Pediatrics from the Memphis area. Many of the children we were treating were unable to walk without custom braces for their feet and ankles (AFOs) due to a myriad of issues. While there, I was exposed to so many different diagnoses and presentations that I had never heard of. I was also able to go into surgeries with many of the different orthopedic surgeons. I was able to gain valuable exposure to a very broad patient population. This exposure included trauma, orthopedic and neurological injuries, athletics and many more. One of the more unique opportunities afforded was being able to work with some of the Memphis Grizzlies athletes which required custom shoe orthotics to protect their feet and ankles when playing basketball.

We had been there for approximately 3 years when we had our first child, Maverick. Up until this point, Jordan and I had no intention to return to Louisiana and Memphis began to feel like home. We had always talked that if we ever moved back to Louisiana that we would only move to Ruston. Ruston has always been one of our favorite places because we met as Louisiana Tech students through the college ministry at Temple Baptist Church. Ruston is also the midway point between our families as I am from West Monroe and Jordan is from Shreveport. Not to mention that all of our best friends were still living in Ruston.

I began searching for jobs near the Ruston area for a few months while we discussed a potential move but wasn’t able to find anything close enough to justify moving back. When ultimately, I decided to pray about the move to see if it was something more than just us desiring to move back. The next day I found a job in Monroe that had been posted for a very long time for a Clinical Manager position with a great company. In addition to this company, the job description matched my resume almost exactly. I joked with Jordan that I was scared to apply thinking that they’d throw out my application because it almost looked like I created a resume specifically for this job.

We prayed for a week or so before I decided to apply. I finally started the application process one night and it took me until almost midnight to submit my resume and fill out the online portion of the application. The next morning, I received a call from the Clinical Director of Orthotics and Prosthetics at Methodist Rehab Center in Flowood, MS. We talked for about an hour and we both felt as though I would be a great fit at the company. A few days later I went down to interview in person and spent most of the day there. I ultimately accepted the position to run their Monroe, LA office.

Since being in this role, I have been able to positively impact the community in ways I never imagined before. We will soon be opening an office in Ruston as well due to the various connections in the community that I formed because of Louisiana Tech. We have been able to begin volunteering in the college department at our church and also be able to spend more time with our family. Not long after moving back to Louisiana we found out that Jordan was pregnant with our second son, Marshall. I will always be grateful for the opportunities that attending Louisiana Tech University have afforded me. I cannot recommend Louisiana Tech enough and owe so much to the university and staff that helped me get to the point where I am today!

Kinesiology Paths: Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist

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Annie Crain Johnson, CPO, MPO
Louisiana Tech University – B.S. Kinesiology and Health Sciences – Class of 2020

Education/Background: 

The Kinesiology Department taught me to be diligent, resourceful, detail-oriented and empathetic towards others; qualities I attribute to my present-day success.  I chose LA Tech and its Kinesiology program to prepare me for my future career in prosthetics and orthotics. I carefully selected my curriculum to ensure qualification when applying for graduate school. 

I am very grateful for all opportunities presented by the Kinesiology Department, especially the fourth-quarter internship. This internship allows students real workforce experience in perspective careers. My internship at Adaptive Prosthetics and Orthotics clinic in Houma, LA, allowed me to actively pursue a profession I found intriguing and gain firsthand experience in the day-to-day operations of the P&O field. This experience deepened my understanding of the responsibilities of a Prosthetist/Orthotist and solidified my passion for the field.  

In December 2022, I received my Masters of Prosthetics and Orthotics from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. This 18-month program centered on a specialized curriculum, encompassing hands-on experience in device fabrication, patient models, clinical rotations, and a clinical internship. Despite the program being out of state, I qualified for in-state tuition through the Academic Common Market (ACM) created by The Southern Regional Education Board. Participating states and universities within the ACM allow students to pursue out-of-state education if their desired degree is not offered locally. After obtaining my master’s degree, I had to complete an additional two-year prosthetic/orthotic residency and pass five exams to achieve board certification. 

In January 2024, I concluded my residency at Atlantic Prosthetics and Orthotics in Chapel Hill, NC. This experience equipped me with the skills for clinical decision making, product fabrication, and effective patient communication. I also had the privilege of learning from a multi-disciplinary team of seasoned clinicians. 

Currently: 

I work full-time at Atlantic P&O and have two more board exams to complete before achieving full certification. I absolutely love my job and couldn’t envision another career path for myself. My daily schedule is ever-changing, which adds excitement to my work. Additionally, new technology is continually being introduced into everyday prosthetic and orthotic practices. 

One notable advancement in prosthetic socket fabrication is the Direct Socket method. Direct Socket serves as a socket solution for amputees of all activity levels. By utilizing fiberglass or basalt weave and injectable acrylic resin, the prosthetic socket can be directly fabricated on the patient’s residual limb. A key tool for achieving a well-fitting Direct Socket is the bladder and pump: a single-chamber pressure-casting system designed to optimally distribute pressure and shape soft tissue during casting. This method enables a patient to receive their prosthetic socket that accurately reflects their current limb shape and volume in just one appointment. 

We cater to a diverse patient population, attending to individuals from various backgrounds and walks of life. My experience encompasses the application of helmet therapy for infants with deformational plagiocephaly to providing support for senior amputees who engage in activities such as knitting in our waiting room. I have discovered a particular affinity for working with children. Their boundless energy and optimistic outlook on the future make each interaction fulfilling. Witnessing the resilience of children, I have implemented numerous adaptations in their prostheses to facilitate a wide range of activities.  

I recently collaborated with a young girl who underwent rotationplasty surgery due to Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD). In response to the intricacies of her surgery, a prosthesis featuring a thigh cuff, lateral knee hinges, and a foot-shaped socket was meticulously developed. Our ongoing commitment involves continuous adaptation of fabrication and design to accommodate advancements in surgery/amputation techniques and cater to the evolving activities and needs of our patients. 

A profession in prosthetics and orthotics not only fulfills my innate need to create but also aligns with my aspiration to enhance the lives of others. While I enjoy my time in the workshop, witnessing a patient rise and take their first steps after accompanying them through their entire clinical journey is a deeply gratifying and emotionally resonant experience — undeniably the most rewarding aspect of my job. 

Thank you: 

To this day, I often think of the invaluable experiences I had in Memorial Gym with my Kinesiology professors. They not only imparted professional skills but also instilled essential life skills, fostering qualities such as passion, goal-driven determination, and kindness towards others. The Department’s conducive environment has the potential to guide any individual toward success. I will always consider myself fortunate to be a member of the Louisiana Tech Kinesiology Family. 

I extend my gratitude to my Kinesiology professors, the distinguished faculty at UTSW in prosthetics and orthotics, and the dedicated team at Atlantic Prosthetics and Orthotics. It is through your unwavering support and guidance that I find myself living the dream! 

A Day in the Life of

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Annie Crain
Resident Prothetist/Orthotist


“Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” -Confucius

It has always been a goal of mine to never work a day in my life, so it was crucial to choose a career I loved. The Louisiana Tech Kinesiology Department was the initial spark that fueled me to become the Resident Prosthetist/Orthotist I am today. 

After driving from my hometown of Houma, LA to tour every single university in the state, I arrived at LA Tech University. I chose LA Tech and its Kinesiology program to prepare me for my future career in prosthetics and orthotics. I carefully selected my curriculum so I would be qualified when applying for graduate school. The Kinesiology Department taught me to be diligent, resourceful, detail-oriented and empathetic towards others; qualities I attribute to my present day success.

I received my Master’s of Prosthetics and Orthotics from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in December of 2022. This 18-month program is centered on a specialized curriculum including hands-on experience with device fabrication, patient models, clinical rotations, and a clinical internship. After receiving my master’s degree, I was required to complete an additional 2-year prosthetic/orthotic residency to become board certified in order to see patients on my own.

Currently, I am a completing my first year of residency in orthotics followed by a year of prosthetics at Atlantic Prosthetics and Orthotics in Chapel Hill, NC. My residency at Atlantic P&O has provided me with the ability to become skilled in device selection, fabrication, and patient communication. I have the opportunity to learn from a multi-disciplinary team of experienced clinicians. I absolutely love my job, and couldn’t imagine another career path for myself.

My daily schedule is ever-changing, which makes work exciting. My first task of the day is to check the patient schedules.  Patient encounters are usually initial evaluations or device fittings.  In an initial evaluation, I will assess the patient’s range of motion, muscle strength, diagnosis and device prescription.  Often, I can fit the patient with an off-the-shelf device if the product meets all of their clinical needs. Otherwise, additional measurements will be taken for the fabrication of a custom device.

Approximately three days of fabrication are needed to make a custom orthosis or prosthesis, most of which is completed during breaks between patient appointments. The fabrication process from start to finish of most devices typically includes: a cast of the affected area which is used to create a positive plaster model, modifying the positive model by sanding or carving the plaster to acquire the desired shape, then draping hot plastic or pouring resin over the positive model.  The cooled plastic or resin lamination will then be cut and smoothed into a finished product. At a custom device fitting, alignment angles can be adjusted or plastic can be trimmed or heat molded to provide a more optimal fit.

A career in prosthetics and orthotics fulfills my innate need to create, but also my desire to enhance the lives of others.  I enjoy my time in the workshop, but seeing a patient stand up and walk for the first time after following them through their entire clinical journey is truly a heartfelt experience and the best part of my job – pure magic every time!

For more information on prosthetics and orthotics:

https://ncope.org/

Over 25 years of experience in the prosthetic and orthotic industry

Prosthetist: healthcare professional who makes and fits artificial limbs (prostheses) for people with disabilities. This includes artificial legs and arms for people who have had amputations due to conditions such as cancer, diabetes, or injury.

Orthotist: healthcare professional who makes and fits braces and splints (orthoses) for people who need added support for body parts that have been weakened by injury, disease, or disorders of the nerves, muscles, or bones.

(In medical practice, these specialties are often paired)
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/orthotist-and-prosthetist