Member May 2026: LDPRNet: Advancing Collaboration Across Limb Loss, Difference, and Preservation Centers of Excellence (On-Demand)-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This Member May session focused on building a national network of centers for limb loss, limb difference, and limb preservation rehabilitation (LDPR). Gerald Geronimo opened with housekeeping notes, including recording, respectful conduct, and CME instructions. Dr. Pratik Grover then introduced the session goals: to trace the evolution of LDPR as its own field, define centers of excellence, identify core pillars of care, education, service, and research, and explore how a collaborative network could be built.<br /><br />Panelists shared their professional journeys and center models. Dr. David Crandall described Spaulding’s amputee program, its growth after the Boston Marathon bombing, and its interdisciplinary clinic and advocacy work. Dr. Vinay Vanodia highlighted a team-based model at UT Houston/TIRR Memorial Hermann, including inpatient/outpatient continuity, behavioral health integration, adaptive sports, and strong prosthetics collaboration. Dr. Marlies Gonzalez-Fernandez described Johns Hopkins’ organically grown program with surgical, prosthetic, rehab psychology, adaptive sports, and research partnerships.<br /><br />Polls showed that most centers already have multidisciplinary care and patient education, but fewer have fellowship programs, outcomes databases, published evidence, or industry partnerships. Participants identified funding, institutional support, staffing, and research infrastructure as major barriers. Shared clinical guidelines, referral pathways, unified curriculum standards, and patient peer support were seen as the biggest gains from a network.<br /><br />Dr. Grover proposed possible network structures ranging from loosely coordinated collaboration to highly centralized systems, and outlined needed building blocks: governance, funding, participation criteria, data sharing, and infrastructure. The session concluded with a phased roadmap: design, development, implementation, and sustainment, with plans for a working group, shared insights via FIS Forum, and further discussion at future meetings.

Keywords

limb loss

limb difference

limb preservation rehabilitation

multidisciplinary care

center of excellence

amputee program

prosthetics collaboration

adaptive sports

rehabilitation network

clinical guidelines

outcomes database

fellowship programs