Together Towards Mastery: Students and Faculty Join the Protez Hub Community

With the support of Ms. Antonina Kumka, General Director of “Protez Hub,” students specializing in Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Technologies with a focus on Prosthetics and Orthotics, along with faculty from the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, became members of the professional community “Protez Hub.” This participation provides the opportunity to join monthly webinars and workshops dedicated to innovative methods in prosthetics and orthotics, enhancing professional training and the development of modern competencies. These webinars are conducted by experienced prosthetics and orthotics specialists from around the world.

Prosthetics and orthotics students have already explored digital design and additive manufacturing of prosthetic sockets, as well as 3D printing in prosthetics and orthotics.
They have also mastered cutting-edge technologies in prosthetics, such as click systems that ensure optimal anatomical fit and allow adjustment for tightening or loosening the prosthetic socket. This webinar was conducted by Mike Marten.

In a webinar focused on adaptive device selection and choosing the appropriate prosthesis type for unilateral transhumeral upper limb amputation, students learned about electric, hybrid, and specialized upper limb prostheses, as well as assistive devices used in occupational therapy.

The hands-on workshop “Multidisciplinary Approach to Prosthetic Rehabilitation and Limb Prosthetics”, led by certified prosthetist-orthotist and leading specialist at Dniproprotez, Iryna Tkach, proved to be highly valuable due to the inclusion of real clinical cases. Her extensive experience enabled her to deeply explore the complex aspects of prosthetics, demonstrate effective rehabilitation strategies, and offer practical advice on multidisciplinary collaboration—significantly enriching the participants’ knowledge.

Thanks to the Protez Hub community, we continue to gain valuable new insights, practical case studies, and expert advice from leading professionals in the field of prosthetics and orthotics, contributing to our professional growth and expanding our understanding of modern technologies and methods.

Recently, students completed the course “Specialized Biomechanics for Orthotics and Prosthetics”, taught by American instructor Austin G. Davids. All students successfully passed the final test and acquired a substantial theoretical and practical foundation for integrating biomechanics principles into clinical practice.

This course is crucial for future prosthetists-orthotists, as it lays the groundwork in both fundamental knowledge and hands-on skills essential for their future professional careers. Students not only attended lectures but also recorded gait videos, answered quizzes, and completed practical assignments—fostering active learning of theoretical material and forming the initial professional competencies required to work effectively with patients.

Students gained a solid knowledge base in biomechanics, which is fundamental to understanding human body movement and developing effective prosthetic-orthotic devices and rehabilitation strategies. This knowledge also opens new avenues for future research in the field.

The support of Ms. Antonina Kumka, General Director of Protez Hub, and active participation in the Protez Hub community provides a strong foundation for the advancement of prosthetics and orthotics education at our university. It offers our students and faculty access to cutting-edge knowledge, hands-on experience, and international collaboration.

We express our sincere gratitude for the opportunity to expand our educational horizons, integrate innovative approaches into the learning process, and align the training of future specialists with the highest global standards.