Chandler Balkman, CPO
Chandler earned a Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics at Baylor College of Medicine and a Bachelor of Exercise Science degree from Brigham Young University. He has had opportunity to study and work alongside some of the nation’s leading prosthetists and orthotists in California, Texas, Washington State, and North Carolina giving him cutting edge knowledge and experience. As an amputee, he possesses a unique empathy and compassion for those suffering physical challenges. From a young age, he has been dedicated to helping others facing amputation and rehabilitation.
Because of his rare amputation, Chandler never had a prosthesis that fit correctly. After eight years of pain, he and two colleagues invented an entirely new design called the Baylor Socket for hip disarticulation. This innovative device provides comfort and performance for those with hip-level amputations.
Chandler has been involved with the Amputee Coalition for many years as a Certified Peer Visitor, meeting with and supporting amputees from all over the world. He heads a yearly forum, "Living with Your Amputation Level: Hip Disarticulation and Hemipelvectomy."
Chandler's chief passion is dynamic bracing. This emerging field blends prosthetic blade design with lower leg braces. Chandler worked within the Department of Defense rehabilitation system as well as several specialty clinics located on the West Coast. These experiences trained him to work with all major dynamic bracing designs. This includes systems like IDEO, Exosym, Neurobrace, Fabtech PDE, and Dynamic Bracing Solutions (DBS). These innovative devices can limit pain, realign legs, prevent amputation and restore athletic movement.
Chandler enjoys a challenge and finds it particularly rewarding to work with patients who require creative solutions. He also likes working with children, athletes and active military. As an amputee and a trained prosthetist, Chandler is able to offer the most effective treatment options along with the highest level of care.
Chandler is an avid skier and outdoorsman, and even spent time training for the Paralympics in ski racing! He continues to enjoy skiing off the racehill and in the backcountry.
Education
Chandler earned a Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics at Baylor College of Medicine and a Bachelor of Exercise Science degree from Brigham Young University. He has had opportunity to study and work alongside some of the nation’s leading prosthetists and orthotists in California, Texas, Washington State, and North Carolina giving him cutting edge knowledge and experience. As an amputee, he possesses a unique empathy and compassion for those suffering physical challenges. From a young age, he has been dedicated to helping others facing amputation and rehabilitation.
Because of his rare amputation, Chandler never had a prosthesis that fit correctly. After eight years of pain, he and two colleagues invented an entirely new design called the Baylor Socket for hip disarticulation. This innovative device provides comfort and performance for those with hip-level amputations.
Chandler has been involved with the Amputee Coalition for many years as a Certified Peer Visitor, meeting with and supporting amputees from all over the world. He heads a yearly forum, "Living with Your Amputation Level: Hip Disarticulation and Hemipelvectomy."
Chandler's chief passion is dynamic bracing. This emerging field blends prosthetic blade design with lower leg braces. Chandler worked within the Department of Defense rehabilitation system as well as several specialty clinics located on the West Coast. These experiences trained him to work with all major dynamic bracing designs. This includes systems like IDEO, Exosym, Neurobrace, Fabtech PDE, and Dynamic Bracing Solutions (DBS). These innovative devices can limit pain, realign legs, prevent amputation and restore athletic movement.
Chandler enjoys a challenge and finds it particularly rewarding to work with patients who require creative solutions. He also likes working with children, athletes and active military. As an amputee and a trained prosthetist, Chandler is able to offer the most effective treatment options along with the highest level of care.
Chandler is an avid skier and outdoorsman, and even spent time training for the Paralympics in ski racing! He continues to enjoy skiing off the racehill and in the backcountry.
Education
- American Board Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science from Brigham Young University
- Master of Science, Orthotics and Prosthetics from Baylor College of Medicine
- NCOPE Residency completed
- Amputee Coalition Certified Peer Visitor Network
- Amputee Coalition
- The American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics
- Hipdisartic.com
- Charcot Marie Tooth Association
- The Baylor Socket for Hip Disarticulation
- Hip Disarticulation and Hemipelvectomy Prosthetic care
- Pediatric care for Spina Bifida and Cerebral Palsy
- Pediatric and adult care for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)
- Dynamic Bracing
- Diabetic Limb Salvage