Revolutionary Prosthetic Limb Fitting Enhances Armed Forces Rehab

Artificial Limb Centre (ALC) Pune, a premier tri services institution of the Armed Forces Medical Services, was established in Pune on 19 May 1944 after World War-II. Dring this period, ALC provided prosthetic solutions and compressive rehabilitation to the amputee soldiers and was in the forefront of rehabilitation of a large number of wounded Indian Soldiers. The Artificial Limb Centre provides care to the skeletally and neurologically challenged individuals across all strata of society. It plays an important role in making them independent individuals capable of earning their own livelihoods.

A Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE 2025) program themed "IMPROVING OUTCOMES IN AMPUTEE REHABILITATION" is being organized by ALC on 11 & 12 Dec 2025 with delegates and faculty members from reputed and top institutions of the country, to deliberate on various challenging and rapidly evolving concepts in rehabilitative care of the disabled.

Brig CN Satish, Commandant ALC Pune welcomed the dignitories and delegates coming from all over the country, introduced the audience to the theme 'Improving Outcomes in Amputee Rehabilitation' and apprised about recent developements at ALC Pune.

The CRE was inaugurated by Surg Vice  Admiral Arti Sarin, AVSM, VSM, DGAFMS on 11 Dec 2025 at Susruta Hall of ALC Pune. The keynote address was given by  Ms Sminu Jindal, Managing Director of Jindal Saw Ltd and founder director of Svayam Foundation. Ms. Sminu, celebrated as the first woman to break the glass ceiling in India's steel, oil, and gas sectors. A wheelchair user herself since the age of 11  and having turned her personal challenges into a powerful movement by founding Svayam, an initiative dedicated to promoting accessibility and dignity for people with reduced mobility. Ms Jindal spoke about her inspiring journey and also apprised the gathering about the work undertaken by Svayam foundation.

Senior officers of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and delegates including faculty members from AFMS and premier civil institutions were also present. 

A comprehensive 'Patient Compendium' for ALC beneficieries and Newsletter 'STRIDE' was released at the auspicious hands of DGAFMS and Lt Gen Pankaj Rao, Director and Commandant AFMC Pune.

The Flag officer also inaugurated the cutting edge 'Additive Manufacturing Lab' which will be serving the advantages of -
1. Rapid manufacture of prosthetics & orthotics aiding early rehab
2. Making Multiple Limbs Simultaniously
3. Retain digital data for replication
4. Serve remote locations that can scan and send data for manufacture of limbs

The CRE scientific sessions highlighted  various key aspects around the theme including contemporary issues in rehab, emphasising on upper limb disabilities,   multispecialty approach to mention a few. A workshop on Immediate Post-operative Prosthesis will be organised to demonstrate best practices and hands on training for the future caregivers.

Scientific exhibition is also being held to demonstrate latest tech of the world that is being used in ALC. 

Col Rohit Tandon, Deputy Commandant and organising secretory of the event gave a note of thanks to the dignitaries & delegates.