Discover the Exclusive World of Orthopaedic Footwear Technology at OTWorld 2024

The orthopaedic footwear technology industry will meet at OTWorld in Leipzig from 14 to 17 May 2024 for professional, practical dialogue among physicians, technicians and physiotherapists. The world congress and leading world trade show will offer comprehensive insights into topics relevant to orthopaedic footwear technology. Visitors can expect to be inspired by a wide range of care solutions for everyday applications.

From diabetic foot and flat foot to ankle osteoarthritis, foot health can often be impaired by malpositioning or other disorders. Orthopaedic footwear technicians work together closely with related professions to provide affected patients with orthopaedic aids that improve the quality of their everyday lives.

In 2024, OTWorld will once again be the leading international get-together for all experts in the field of orthopaedic footwear technology. The new exhibition areas "OTWorld.shoe-technology" and "OTWorld.3D" will offer practitioners an overview of the latest market innovations while the world congress will address a wide range of topics on day-to-day care.

New OTWorld.shoe-technology Exhibition Area Opens for the First Time

The newly created special exhibition area in Hall 1 will cover the entire spectrum of orthopaedic footwear technology. At OTWorld 2024, more than 160 exhibitors from all corners of the globe will showcase product innovations for manufacturers and retailers that cover everything from orthopaedic shoes, therapy shoes, insoles, measuring systems, workshop equipment and accessories to machines, 3D printing, additive manufacturing and innovative materials.

Companies exhibiting include AFT International, Berkemann, CYS, Mephisto, NESKRID, nora systems, Renia, Schein Orthopädie Service KG, SPANNRIT, T&T medilogic, Waldi Schuhfabrik and Witzel Vacupress.

"OTWorld.start-ups" is a special exhibition space in Hall 3 serving as a platform for new companies such as D.O.G. GmbH, kokochii soles-online GmbH, Nunatak and Ortopedia 3D who bring fresh inspiration to the industry with their products and services.

Highlight: The Orthopaedic Footwear Technology Meet-Up

Located at the heart of the "OTWorld.shoe-technology" special exhibition area, the Orthopaedic Footwear Technology Meet-Up will be the first point of contact for all visitors hoping to learn more about sensorimotor foot orthoses (SMFO) and sensorimotor insoles. "If sensorimotor foot orthoses are to result in appropriate treatment, orthopaedic footwear technicians must have application expertise that goes beyond just a basic understanding," says Dr Annette Kerkhoff, project manager from the Centre of Excellence for Orthopaedic Footwear Technology (KomZet O.S.T.). „A clear definition of quality and care standards is a prerequisite for customised, high-quality treatment that is geared toward a patient’s specific diagnosis." Questions regarding applications and quality-assured care will be answered at the meet-up under the direction of the Centre of Excellence for Orthopaedic Footwear Technology and the Study Association of Orthopaedic Footwear Technology (Studiengemeinschaft Orthopädieschuhtechnik e.V.).

Congress to Focus on Feet and Footwear

With more than 300 high-profile international speakers and numerous programme items on the subject of "feet and footwear", the world congress at OTWorld provides an ideal platform to give orthopaedic footwear technicians the targeted certified training opportunities they need. The congress programme was prepared with the support of the Society for Foot and Ankle Surgery e.V. (GFFC), the German Association for Feet and Ankles e.V. (D.A.F.), the Study Association of Orthopaedic Footwear Technology e.V. and the Centre of Excellence for Orthopaedic Footwear Technology (KomZet O.S.T.).

Programme items include a symposium on 16 May 2024 where Dr Hartmut Stinus and Tino Sprekelmeyer will be taking a look at orthopaedic care and footwear in the treatment of severe foot deformities in children and adolescents. The event is in alignment with a topic very close to the hearts of the two congress presidents Prof Wirth and Ingo Pfefferkorn. They have included various contributions in this year's congress programme to focus on paediatric/adolescent and neuro-orthopaedics. The symposium will offer practical insights by presenting various indications. Contributions cover everything from the use of orthopaedic footwear technology and orthotics as treatments after complex operations on the rear of the foot to innovative new concepts, thus providing a comprehensive overview of current developments and prospects in the treatment of severe foot deformities in children and adolescents.

According to the German Diabetes Association (DDG), one in three of the 8.7 million people in Germany who currently have diabetes mellitus suffers from diabetic foot syndrome. This is reason enough for the world congress to provide an up-to-date look at the topic. Dr Armin Koller and Tino Sprekelmeyer will offer insights into the latest care strategies and techniques at a symposium entitled "Diabetic Foot Syndrome". Their focus will be on stage-appropriate treatment for Charcot foot and diabetic neuropathic osteoarthropathy in accordance with the current guidelines. In addition, those attending the lecture will receive tips on successfully obtaining prescription approval from health insurance authorities.

Practical, at the point of care and highly relevant to everyday practice: a variety of workshops will include demonstrations offering participants a chance to experience patient care under expert guidance. Select workshops will also serve as professional training opportunities for orthopaedic footwear technicians. These include a workshop entitled "Anatomy of the Foot and Insole Functionality" led by Stefan Woltring, a master orthopaedic footwear technician from Osnabrück. In addition to examples taken from elite athletics, participants will also be shown images and data of a professional triathlete and member of Germany’s 2024 Paris Olympic Team. The workshop will offer insights into the unique situation of an athlete preparing for the competition of their life and demonstrate successful, strategic cooperation between athletes, their coaching staff and professionals in the fields of medicine and orthopaedics.

More events on the topic of orthopaedic footwear technology can be found in the online congress programme.

Early-Bird Discount for OTWorld Tickets

Tickets for OTWorld 2024 are now available in the online shop. The discounted early-bird price for full and day tickets for the world congress, including admission to the international trade show, will be valid until 31 March 2024.

About OTWorld

OTWorld is the largest leading international industry platform for all manufacturers, distributors and service providers in the field of modern orthopaedic treatment and care. The OTWorld International Trade Show and World Congress offers a unique range of products and services for prosthetists, orthotists, orthopaedic footwear professionals, rehabilitation technicians as well as therapists, doctors, engineers and employees of medical retail and health insurance companies. The German Association of Orthopaedic Technology (BIV-OT) is OTWorld's conceptual partner. The holder of the OTWorld brand and organiser of the Congress is Confairmed GmbH. Leipziger Messe GmbH is responsible for the industry trade show. The next OTWorld will take place from 14 to 17 May 2024 in Leipzig.

Meore informationen www.ot-world.com/en/