“Best research”: Third Thranhardt Award for Dr Andreas Hahn

Boston is the backdrop for a big celebration as the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) hosts the 25th award ceremony for the Howard R. Thranhardt Award. The jury awards the prize annually in memory of Thranhardt, who helped establish vocational training for prosthetics and orthotics back in the 1950s. This year marks the third time that Dr Andreas Hahn, Ottobock’s Director of Global Clinical Research, will receive the award, which is also being conferred on Chrysta Irolla, Clinic Manager at the Orthotics and Prosthetics Center (University of California). “The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association is proud to announce the new winners, who are receiving the 2021 Thranhardt Award for the best research in the field of orthopaedics and prosthetics,” said Traci Dralle, President of the AOPA. “As we celebrate 25 years of excellence with the Thranhardt Award, we’re delighted to pay tribute to the work of Chrysta Irolla and Dr Andreas Hahn, together with all award winners from previous years.”

Dr Hahn is presenting research entitled “The effect of microprocessor-controlled exo-prosthetic knees (MPKs) on limited community ambulators: systematic review and meta-analysis”. “The evidence today indicates that MPKs are a beneficial form of treatment even for amputees with a low mobility grade,” he says. “Long confirmed in practice, this insight is now corroborated by scientific research.” In recent years, Dr Hahn explains, research and development on treatment for amputees with low mobility grades has made innovative breakthroughs. He previously received the award in 2019 for his work on the use of health economic instruments to evaluate prosthetic services and in 2014 for his research on how mobility grades affect treatment with microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joints. Since joining Ottobock in 2004, Dr Hahn has served in various roles including Vice President of the Neurostimulation department. He studied physics at Oxford University (UK) and has amassed more than 25 years of professional experience working in leading positions in the med-tech industry. Congratulations!