Shaping the Future of Orthopaedic Treatment and Care at OTWorld

The more than 550 exhibitors attending OTWorld 2024 to present their portfolios of products and services in technical orthopaedics include companies from start-ups to international market leaders. The proportion of international exhibitors is 55 per cent. From Australia to North and South America, exhibitors from all continents are represented at OTWorld 2024. By comparison, in 2022 there were 440 exhibitors from 36 countries. This means that OTWorld 2024 will see a 25 per cent increase in exhibitors compared to the previous edition. Companies from 42 countries are expected to attend this year. In addition to Germany, the majority of exhibitors come from France, the UK, Spain, the USA and Turkey. However, exhibitors from countries such as Argentina, Australia, Korea, Mexico and Taiwan are also taking part in the 2024 event.

Platform for Groundbreaking Innovations

From intelligent knee joints and 3D-printed medical aids to innovative printing technologies, the latest developments in the industry will be presented at the world's leading trade show. One of the main topics this year is the digitalisation of prosthetics and orthotics. Robotics and artificial intelligence are also on the agenda as well as exoskeletons for children. New orthoses and supports as well as orthopaedic shoes designed to make life easier for patients with arthrosis, diabetes, rheumatism and other common diseases are also on display. In addition, exhibitors are showcasing new digital measurement systems and compression fittings that can offer a new level of comfort.

Exhibitor innovations are also listed in the digital Product and Exhibitor World on the OTWorld website. Visitors can use the extensive filter functions to help make a targeted search for product groups, areas of treatment and care or new products.

Record Numbers of Exhibitors in the Start-up Area

Fresh impetus for the industry is guaranteed by the 26 start-ups from 12 countries. Their innovations and ideas are on show in the dedicated OTWorld.start-ups area. As an innovation hub for the medical aid industry, OTWorld offers newcomers to the industry a platform to present themselves to an international trade audience and make business contacts. Compared to the previous event in 2022, ten more start-ups have registered for the world's leading trade show.

One example of a company generating ideas for the future is the Swedish start-up Tendo AB. It has developed a microprocessor-controlled hand orthosis called Tendo OneGrip which aims to restore the hand function of people with spinal cord injuries.

The German start-up STEETS has developed an innovative stand for setting down crutches and walking sticks. Thanks to its lightweight, slim design and automatic folding mechanism, the stand has no negative effects on the user's gait. Walking aids can be parked quickly and safely at any desired location using the integrated stand.

An overview of all start-ups is available on the OTWorld website.

Highlights at the Trade Show

New this year are the special exhibitions on the treatment of neurological diseases and on the provision of orthopaedic treatment and care in crisis areas, as well as the themed exhibitions on orthopaedic footwear technology and 3D printing. Visitors to these exhibition areas can find out more about the provision of professional orthopaedic treatment and care and see the wide range of innovative products.

In cooperation with the conceptual partners rehaVital Gesundheitsservice GmbH and the German Stroke Foundation (Stiftung Deutsche Schlaganfall-Hilfe), the special exhibition on the care of neurological diseases will demonstrate how conservative assistive technologies can improve everyday life for patients and help them to achieve a better quality of life. The exhibition incorporates a patient room that provides holistic treatment and care as well as a marketplace offering further information and advice. Additional programme features for visitors include keynote speeches and interactive displays such as a stroke risk check.

The treatment and care of people in crisis areas is becoming increasingly important due to environmental disasters and wars. Millions of people around the world are living under difficult conditions after suffering a severe stroke of fate. The special exhibition on the supply of orthopaedic treatment and care in crisis areas at OTWorld takes a detailed look at this issue. The central feature of the special exhibition is the "Barrier:Zones" exhibition by the Handicap International organisation. Visitors can learn about the fates of people with disabilities in conflict, war and crisis zones which are documented on 20 roll-ups.

The first port of call for all orthopaedic footwear technicians is the OTWorld.shoe-technology exhibition feature. From orthopaedic shoes and insoles to additive manufacturing and innovative materials, orthopaedic footwear technicians can meet exhibitors from across the world to learn more about new products for their workshops and retail stores. This get-together for orthopaedic footwear technologists is integrated into the trade show and provides professional exchange revolving around sensorimotor foot orthoses (SMFO) and sensorimotor insoles.

The use of 3D printing for the customised production of orthoses, prostheses and insoles is creating new possibilities and changing the industry. The OTWorld.3D special show is dedicated to showcasing the most significant innovations.

Congress Programme Provides Inspiration on Professional Training

Under the leadership of the two congress presidents, Prof. Thomas Wirth and master prosthetist and orthotist Ingo Pfefferkorn, a comprehensive congress programme has been developed over the past few months that covers all key topics in the field of orthopaedic treatment and care from digitalisation and lymphology/compression treatment to orthopaedic footwear technology, prosthetics and sports orthopaedics/para-sports. A total of 320 speakers from over 30 countries are expected in Leipzig. New to the programme this year is a tailor-made training programme for medical supply store staff as well as a daily selection of practice-oriented workshops with examples of patient care. In live demonstrations on patients at the event, practitioners will show fellow practitioners from journeymen to master craftsmen examples of treatment and care methods.

Particular highlights of the world congress are the daily keynote speeches by renowned experts. Happiness researcher Prof Dr Ricarda Rehwaldt will kick off the event with her keynote "The combination of creativity and perfection: job satisfaction in medical professions". This is followed by Prof. Dr Claudio Castellini speaking about "Coadaptation: the key to a new generation of assistive robots", Prof. Dr Thomas Brück on "Green Carbon Fiber – A sustainable material for high-performance applications in medical technology", and a talk by René Schaar entitled "Who cares about representation? Disabled people in the media".

The two congress presidents will be placing a specific emphasis on paediatric, adolescent and neuro-orthopaedics as a topic particularly close to their hearts. Several presentations at the congress will examine scientific content and provide innovative approaches for the treatment of affected patients. A notable highlight is the US-German symposium on the treatment of patients with spina bifida. Merkur Alimusaj (Dipl.-Ing.) and Lauren Levey from the US city of Philadelphia are leading this international exchange.

The provision of orthopaedic treatment and care in crisis and war zones was already a topic at OTWorld before the war in Ukraine began. Current insights into the provision of orthopaedic treatment and care in the crisis region will be provided by Ukrainian speakers at a symposium. Topics covered will include prosthetic fittings and solutions in Ukraine by the Superhumans team, the provision of rehabilitation services in war zones and the strategies employed by the UNBROKEN team to meet the need for physical rehabilitation and orthopaedic medical aids in Ukraine.

The full congress programme is available online on the OTWorld website.

Tickets for the Leading World Trade Show and Congress

Tickets for OTWorld 2024 can be purchased in the online shop. The online ticket gives visitors quick and easy access to the international trade show and world congress.

Information for Editorial Offices

Media representatives can register online in advance to gain accreditation for OTWorld 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.

More information: www.ot-world.com