Behind every product and technology advancement by the companies listed in this Buyer's Guide is the human element: Each trailblazing innovation is inspired by the goal to improve the users' quality of life.

Consider, for example, Tommy Koehler, a former New York City police officer, who placed 40th out of 1,200 competitors in a 5-mile race, running for a little more than 33 minutes.¹ He also recently completed the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in 13 hours and 42 minutes. What makes Koehler different from the other athletes is the fact that he wears a lower-extremity prosthesis.

As a 26-year-old cop, Koehler—and a half dozen officers—chased a heavily armed triple-murder suspect into a parking garage. Shots were fired, and the suspect was killed. During the shootout, however, Koehler was shot in the thigh, severing the femoral artery. Due to the nerve damage caused by the bullet, Koehler was paralyzed from the kneecap down on his left leg.

After 3 years and 14 surgeries, Koehler found himself still asking his physicians when he would regain mobility. His physicians' bleak replies were: "Those days are over." Refusing to accept that answer, and inspired by a young child he had seen running around on small artificial legs, Koehler was determined to return to a higher level of physical activity.

Three years after the shooting, Koehler voluntarily had his left leg amputated below the knee and was fitted with a prosthesis a month later. A new generation of artificial limbs featuring a flexible prosthesis with a carbon graphite leg and a custom-molded plastic-carbon graphite socket was introduced at that time. This new design offered the user a more natural gait and also was strong enough to absorb the impact of walking and running.

A few years later, Koehler returned to the police force as part of the Technical Assistance Response Unit and registered for the New York City Marathon, which he finished in 5 hours and 33 minutes. He went on to compete in various other races and is currently training for a better Marathon finish time.

Koehler's story is an example of how products and technology on the market today are helping patients regain mobility better than ever. If it were not for advanced prostheses, Koehler's capability for physical activity would be limited. I'm sure that each of you has treated an inspiring and determined patient such as Koehler. Whether the patient needed a prosthesis, a stander, or a walker to improve his or her mobility; and/or whether the patient needed to undergo various types of tests and subsequent treatment programs, you are always looking for the best product and/or technology for every step of your patient's recovery process.

We hope this Buyer's Guide serves as a valuable resource for you to get in touch with the companies that provide you with the best tools and services that will help return your patients to optimal functional capacity.

Arati Murti, editor

Reference

1. Hanc J. New York's finest. Runner's World. 2006;41(11):31–32.