Technical Support
Do you have questions about selecting the correct PROTEOR USA products? Need assistance with a Plié 3 knee fitting or programming? Want specific technical tips? Ask one of our qualified Clinical Prosthetists! Contact our clinical services team at 855-450-7300 for prosthetist technical support or email your questions to info@proteorusa.com
Tom Nomura, CPO - Director, Clinical Strategy and Research
Tom comes to PROTEOR USA with over 20 years of experience practicing the trade. Following his education and certification at Cal State Dominguez Hills, Tom started his career in central fabrication and worked his way up to a be lead technician and eventually, a practice manager. His experience as a clinician in hospital settings, independent clinics, and also for Hanger, has given him a good perspective of the unique need within different settings.
When Tom worked for Kaiser Permanente as a Regional CPO, and spent time working for the payer, he learned more of the business and reimbursement side of prosthetics. Most recently, Tom was the practice manager for a local Hanger Clinic in Orange Country.
Craig Armstrong, CP - Senior Clinical Prosthetist
Craig Armstrong brings over 25 years of professional experience in prosthetics, as an ABC Certified Prosthetist. Born without his left leg, Craig's passion for prosthetics came at an early age, as it gave him the freedom to live life to the fullest. An avid young athlete, Craig very intimately understood prosthetic technology and it's limits, and longed to be a part of bringing more options to amputees. Craig began his career where he received his first prosthesis, at Shriners Hospital for Children. He spent almost a decade fitting children of all ages and levels of amputation. A gifted upper limb and transfemoral specialist, Craig loved fabricating specialized devices the allowed kids to live their dreams. He aided in founding "Unlimbited Group" where children and parents living with limb loss could find a common bond, while gaining valuable skills taught at run clinics, ski camps, etc. During his tenure there, he received his BA Science and ABC Certification, and was quickly recruited by Hanger Clinic in Salt Lake City. In 2008, Craig was recruited tot he manufacturing side of the industry and has worked with industry leaders such as Motion Control / Filllauer, Freedom Innovations, Martin Bionics, and now, PROTEOR USA. He has extensive experience and expertise in clinical education, coding & reimbursement, clinical trials, and his greatest passion: research and development. Craig draws on a lifetime's worth of knowledge and experience to assist fellow clinicians and this with limb loss. He loves being part pf brining the best the industry has to offer to the patients and clinics he serves. In his are time, you will find him skiing double black diamonds, or hangin from a rock somewhere with his wife and 8 kids.
Matthew Nelson, CPO, FAAOP - Senior Clinical Prosthetist
Matthew is an ABC Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist, Georgia-licensed clinician, and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP). In 1993, he received a degree in Biology from Furman University in Greenville, SC and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. Matthew was first introduced to the field of Orthotics and Prosthetics while working as an orthotic fitter at a local medical supply company in Georgia. He earned his certificate in Orthotics (1996) and Prosthetics (1999) from Northwestern University Prosthetics and orthotics Center in Chicago, IL. He previously worked at Hanger Clinic where he held several positions, including Clinic Manager, and Area Clinic Manager. Matthew frequently presented to physical therapy clinics and various healthcare symposiums across the southeast. Since 2002, Matthew has been active in the Georgia Society of Orthotists and Prosthetists and is now serving his term as the immediate Past President of the Society. He joined the Clinical Services Team at PROTEOR USA in 2020 and continues to serve the Senior Clinical Prosthetist in the southeast.
Sarah Stilley, MS, MSPO, LCPO - Clinical Prosthetist / Global Leader - Ankle Franchise and Clinical Communications
Sarah joins the PROTEOR USA team after earning a Master of Science Degree in Biomechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Science degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics from the Georgia Institute of Technology. After graduation, Sarah completed her residency with the Hanger Clinic outside of Atlanta, GA, then transferred to be Practice Manager of a clinic outside of Cleveland, OH. During clinical practice, Sarah worked with clients of all ages for O&P care, concentrating on upper and lower extremity prosthetics. With a strong background in research, Sarah hopes to help the industry in the development of evidence based practice and help PROTEOR USA stay on the cutting edge of technology.
Jeff Quelet, CPO, LPO - Senior Clinical Prosthetist
Jeff has over 20 years of experience in the profession. Jeff was first exposed to the world of Orthotics and Prosthetics in his childhood when he developed Osteosarcoman and subsequently had a right above knee amputation. Jeff completed his undergraduate degree at Colorado State University in Industrial Technology, and earned his post graduate degree with Newington Prosthetics and Orthotics in Connecticut. Jeff was an active practitioner and a regional director for a company in the Mid-Atlantic for 14 years. Jeff specializes in advanced lower extremity prosthetics and currently works to educate and train clinicians on PROTEOR USA products.
Stephanie Porter, MA, CPO - Manager, Product Development & Strategy
Stephanie joins the PROTEOR team after 7 years of supporting the BiOM/Empower ankle at BionX/Ottobock. During her time with BionX and Ottobock, she discovered she has a special interest in product refinement. Stephanie's experience with BionX also reinforced her belief in the power of mobility and its ability to improve the overall health of amputees. Prior to joining the manufacturing side of Orthotics and Prosthetics, Stephanie opened and managed several prosthetic practices for providers in the Denver area, working with both adult and pediatric orthotic and prosthetic patients. While practicing, Stephanie served as a Residency Director for Hanger in the state of Colorado and as an NCOPE Regional Residency Liaison. She also participated in outreach work in Ecuador and Haiti. Stephanie completed her MS in Biomechanics at Georgia State University and her BA at the University of Notre Dame, then obtained her Certifications in Prosthetics and Orthotics from the Newington Certification Program.
Technical Tip Videos
Plié 3 Battery Latch Replacement - A step by step demonstration on how to properly replace the battery latch one a Plié 3 MPC Knee.
Heel Stiffening Bumpers - Watch this review of the proper use and application of the Heel Stiffening Bumper in Freedom Innovations products.
RUSH Foot EVAQ8 Field Service Guide - A step by step guide for field servicing a RUSH Foot EVAQ8 heel.
RUSH Foot Rotatable Adapter Assembly Guide - This video will walk you through the assembly of the RUSH HiPro's rotatable adapter.
Tips for a day in the Water - This video shares simple tips on how to care for your foot after a day at the beach.
Donning and Doffing Your Foot Shell - This brief video will guide you how to remove and replace the foot shell of a RUSH Foot.
How to Clean your Foot - This video includes tips on how to clean your RUSH Foot and foot shell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Foot Products
The heel of my patients foot is too soft, but the toe stiffness is working well. How can I stiffen just the heel so it doesn't compress as much?
RUSH Foot products are shipped with a heel wedge that can be installed on the plantar surface of the sole plate 1/8" anterior of the posterior aspect. Freedom foot products are shipped with heel stiffening bumpers. When applied, the heel stiffness will increase by approximately 1 category. Learn more in this brief tutorial.
My patient came in reporting a squeaking noise coming from his prosthetic foot. How can I resolve this?
• Inspect the foot cover for black marks which are evidence of the carbon foot module rubbing/contacting the foot shell excessively. Apply a barrier if needed.
• Check sock for holes and excessive wear, replace as needed.
• Make sure the Spectra Sock extends above the foot shell to prevent contact between the foot module and foot shell.
• If necessary, grind the foot shell to remove a small amount of material ink the excessive contact area.
• Check componentry compatibility.
Where do you recommend placing the weight line to align a prosthesis that incorporates one of your prosthetic foot products?
As a starting point, we recommend placing the weight line just anterior of the pylon on Freedom Feet and directly through the center of the pyramid on RUSH Feet. Please refer to your IFU for specific instruction. You can further optimize the prosthetic alignment from there, based on the needs of your individual patient. Move the weight line anterior to stiffen the heel and soften the toe of the foot. Move the weight line postrios to soften the hell and stiffen the toe.
My patient just broke / delaminated her foot. Should I reorder the same stiffness category?
First, we recommend verifying the most appropriate stiffness category by weighing the patient to confirm current body weight. It's also important to have a discussion about daily activities, hobbies, sports, etc. Refer this information to our Category Selection Chart which are product-specific to select the correct stiffness category.
If the foot delaminated prematurely and sooner than previously worn prosthetic foot products, we recommend ordering a foot that is one stiffness category higher. This will help to ensure that the product is structurally sound and safe for higher impact loads if needed.
How do I choose the correct impact level for a patient to ensure the best stiffness category is ordered?
If a practitioner was asked if the patient being fitted was considered functionally to be at a "Low, Moderate, or High" activity level, they might respond Low is K1-K2, Moderate K2-K3, and High would be K3-K4. For our standard category selection guide, "low" activities include surfing and dancing, for example. This is not "low" for prosthetic users in general, but "low" for K3 users as most of our products are designed for K3-K4 users. If one chooses a "Moderate" or "High" activity level category foot, it will work well for the intended activity but might seem too stiff for normal walking. Most people start out in "Low" with our products and go up from there depending on the intended activity.
My patient states that the heel is too soft. What should I do?
Confirm the stiffness category ordered is correct for patient's current weight. Refer to our Category Selection Chart. Alignment is also critical. Please attempt to slide the socket forward over the toe to lengthen heel lever. you can also utilize the hell bumpers that came with the foot to stiffen the heel by approximately one stiffness category and further adjust stiffness as needed, without impacting the function of the toe stiffness.
My patient states that the heel is too stiff. What should I do?
Confirm the stiffness category ordered is correct for the patient's current weight. Refer to our Category Selection Chart. Alignment is also critical. Slide the socket posteriorly over the foot to shorten the heel lever, which will in turn soften the heel of the foot.
My patient states that the toe is too stiff. What should I do?
Slide the socket anteriorly over the foot to lengthen the toe lever. Confirm the stiffness category of the foot is correct. Refer to our Category Selection Chart.
My patient states that the toe is too soft. What should I do?
Slide the socket posteriorly over the foot to lengthen the toe lever. Confirm the stiffness category of the foot is correct. Refer to our Category Selection Chart.
Plié 3 Knee
How do I access the "Help" file when not connected to the knee via the computer?
The Plié 3 set-up Help file can be viewed by accessing the Plié 6.0 software. Click Help, when you get to the dropdown menu, click Help again. This will open the Help and Troubleshooting area.
When I try to search for a knee I get a message that says "No Microsoft Bluetooth Drivers Found" What do I need to do to connect to the knee via Bluetooth?
You will likely need to update the drivers installed on your computer.
To update drivers in Windows 7:
When the "Dongle" is plugged in, you should see two things in the "Device Manager's""Bluetooth Devices" drop-down box, To get to the Device Manager - point the cursor at "Computer" in the "Start" menu and right click. Let click on the dropdown option "Properties". Left click on "Device Manager"- if you point at the "Bluetooth" icon, a drop down box should appear.
When the Dongle is plugged in, you should see two things: a "Generic Bluetooth Radio" and a "Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator."
If these two things do not appear, do the following: (usually the "Bluetooth Radio" icon is present)
1. Right click on the "Generic Bluetooth Radio" icon and left click on "Update Driver Software"
2. Left click on "Browse My Computer for Driver Software"
3. Left click on "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer"
4. Double click on "Generic Bluetooth Radio" and the driver will automatically update. If this does not make the two items listed above appear, try again.
Note: We have seen issues, especially with Toshiba laptops, where the internal Bluetooth installed in the computer conflicts with our driver and will try to turn it off. If you are experiencing this, go to Device Manager, right click on the Internal Bluetooth and disable the Internal Bluetooth.