Ryan Caldwell, L/CP

Clinician

Ryan Caldwell, L/CP

Clinician

Ryan is an ABC-certified prosthetist for Hanger Clinic in Schaumburg, Illinois.


As a clinician with over 20 years of experience in the field and second-generation prosthetist, Ryan is a field expert for advanced lower limb prosthetic sockets with the use of active vacuum technology. Active vacuum technology allows for early prosthetic intervention, improved limb health, superior suspension, and new socket techniques. Ryan was the key clinical developer of the NU FlexSIV socket which utilizes active vacuum technology for the above-knee prosthesis user. This revolutionary system has gained worldwide interest and support by clinicians, physicians, and prosthetic manufacturers as an alternative to traditional socket technology.


Ryan is also faculty lecturer and research prosthetist for Northwestern University. His team has been awarded over several millions of dollars in grants from the National Institute of Health and the Department of Defense. He has been invited to collaborate with the University of Washington and the University of Illinois at Chicago on additional projects and grants. Ryan established the active vacuum prosthesis course for the Northwestern University Prosthetic-Orthotic Center in 2008. His curriculum was the first comprehensive theoretical and hands-on module for the cutting-edge active vacuum fittings. Ryan teaches his theories and clinical use of active vacuum technology for transtibial, transfemoral, and partial foot patients nationally and internationally.


Ryan is a frequent guest lecturer and invited speaker at international and national conferences, including the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics and the Orthopedic Technik World Congress. Ryan in conjunction with Northwestern University currently provides international and national courses to teach the NU FlexSIV socket technology to prosthetists. The goal is to disseminate this new technology internationally so patients can continue to progress and increase their quality of life. He has also co-authored almost 20 peer-reviewed journal articles which have been published in a variety of allied health and engineering journals. Through this work he has been the co-developer of several products designs that have led to several patents.
Outside of work, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family and traveling across the world.

Education


• Prosthetic Certification, Northwestern University, 2003

Awards


• 2022- Hanger Clinic Impact Award for Outcomes
• 2020- Carlton Fillauer Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Prosthetics Science and Practice
• 2016- Clinical Creativity Award from the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists2016
• 2010, Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics

Recent Publications


Comparison of Ischial Containment and Sub-Ischial Sockets on Comfort, Function, Quality-of-Life and Satisfaction with Device in Persons with Unilateral Transfemoral Amputation: A randomized crossover trial.

Comparison of Ischial Containment and Subischial Sockets Effect on Gait Biomechanics in People with Transfemoral Amputation: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Northwestern University Flexible Subischial Vacuum Socket for persons with transfemoral amputation-Part 1: Description of Technique

Northwestern University Flexible Subischial Vacuum Socket for persons with transfemoral amputation, Part 2 Description and Preliminary evaluation

Clinic Locations

Schaumburg Schaumburg
1701 East Woodfield Rd,
Suite 555
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Fax: (847) 619-1702

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