Health trends, tech will drive demand for orthotists, prosthetists

Several trends in Americans’ health are contributing to the increased demand for orthotic and prosthetic practitioners, according to a new study by the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.

Orthotic and prosthetic care includes designing and making orthopedic braces and custom artificial limbs for patients.

With 72 million Americans predicted to be 65 and older by 2030 while other life-threatening diseases are also on the rise, the researchers concluded that the demand for these practitioners will also increase.

Right now, average compensation in the profession ranges from $39,000 to $75,000. With more than 25 percent of current O&P professionals being 55 and older and likely to retire within 10 years, there will be opportunity for new generations to break into the field.

There has been a 22 percent increase since 1960 in the number of Americans who are obese, with 15.3 million new cases of diabetes since 1980. Additionally, the number of cases of heart disease is projected to increase by more than 26 percent by 2030.

Though health conditions will drive the need for orthotic and prosthetic physicians, advancing technology will also play a role in demand, said Rick Miller, president of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.

“As technology has advanced, for example in the areas of STEM and 3D printing, we see O&P professionals leveraging more effective solutions than ever before, yielding more opportunities for their patients,” Miller said in a statement to Clinical Innovation + Technology.