IMEA CPO for Certified Prosthetists and Orthotists prescribing Orthotics and Prosthetics

CPO of the Week: Mini Krishnan from Ernakulam, Kerala, India

Written by The Editor | 30/04/2025
My name is Mini Krishnan I live in Ernakulam, Kerala, India. I studied Prosthetics and Orthotics at the All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai and graduated in 1994.
 

Currently offering Cranial Helmet therapy services as a team member of the Head Shape Clinic, Bangalore in Kochi. 

What do you claim is your speciality - your O&P passion?
 

My passion is exploring innovative, individualized approaches rather than relying only on traditional methods. My strongest experience lies in trauma care across the entire range from early fracture management and immediate post-trauma interventions to long term rehabilitation using prostheses and orthoses. This exposure has shaped my commitment to providing comprehensive, individualized rehabilitation solutions.

What do you like most about practicing O&P?
 

I enjoy that every service user is different. There is no monotony as each case requires creativity, problem solving, and personalized care, which keeps the work meaningful and engaging.

What frustrates you about O&P?
 

Two things:

First, the broader medical community often does not fully understand the scope and impact of O&P in rehabilitation.

Second, O&P services are not covered by insurance, which limits access for patients who truly need them but cannot afford them. 

What is your greatest patient story in O&P?
 

I have two that stand out.

One is a 65-year-old woman with multiple challenges—post-stroke paralysis, foot and wrist drop, and a transtibial amputation. She and her family had lost hope, but the day she walked again with her prosthesis and orthoses was incredibly emotional and unforgettable.

The second is a 1.5-year-old girl with a traumatic Symes amputation. I started her with an Immediate Post-Surgical Prosthesis and later Definitive and followed her for years. Obtaining the right components was challenging, so many had to be creatively modified. She went on to participate fully in school activities, including classical dance competitions. Her family keeps in touch, which means a lot to me. 

How do you build rapport with patients in your care?
 

I combine objective assessment with genuine empathy. I listen carefully to patients, involve them in decisions, and adapt solutions based on their feedback. That trust and communication form the foundation of good care.