About J. Martin “Marty” Carlson, MS, CPO, FAAOP

Founder & President, Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc.
Bachelor of Science (1963) – Aeronautics and Engineering Mechanics, University of Minnesota
Master of Science (1967) – Major: Mechanics and Materials; Minors: Metallurgy and mathematics, University of Minnesota

Mr. Carlson received BS and MS degrees in aeronautics and engineering mechanics at the University of Minnesota. For six years, he worked on the development of new instruments for measuring force, pressure, and temperature for industrial process control. He then shifted his career focus to orthopedic/rehabilitation engineering. He received his formal orthotic and prosthetic training at Northwestern University and served as Director of Habilitation Technologies at Gillette Children’s Hospital for sixteen years. He has published several dozen articles in a variety of medical and orthotic-prosthetic journals. Carlson and his staff have gained an international reputation for design, development and biomechanical analyses. Marty focuses on building a workplace culture where each of the staff members feels mutual support and expects to be excellent.

Memberships & Awards

Organizations

• American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, CPO (1978)
• American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics
• International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO)
• Uruguay Spinal Deformity Society, Corresponding Member
• Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (RESNA)
• Scoliosis Research Society)

Awards

• Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics 2nd place, Article of the Year Award,
  American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (1995)
• Award for Technical Creativity, American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (1997)
• Titus-Ferguson Award, American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (2009)

Professional Positions

• Research Project Engineer, Rosemount Engineering Company (1966-1972)
• Director of Habilitation Technology, Gillette Children’s Hospital (1972-1988)
• Rehab. Engineer/Orthotics Consultant to Muscular Dystrophy Clinic, Fairview Hospital (1976-1981)
• Clinical Instructor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School (1981-1989)
• Founder and President, Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc. (1990-Present)

Other Appointments

• Member, Orthotic/Prosthetic Technician Training Program Advisory Council, Northeast Metro Technical College (1974-1987)
• Member, Governor’s Advisory Council on Technology for People with Disabilities (1985-1991)
• Chairman, Lower Extremity Orthotics Group at the R&D Priorities Planning Workshop of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, and author of the group’s final report on future R&D needs,
  San Francisco. (April 10-12, 1989)
• Member, Executive Board, international Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics – U.S. National Organization (1995-2001)
• Uruguay Spinal Deformity Society, Corresponding Member

Profiles & Interviews

• Carlson, J. Martin. “J. Martin Carlson, CPO, FAAOP: A Quiet Leader.” The O&P EDGE, Oct. 2010.
• Michaels, John. “J. Martin Carlson, CPO.” The O&P EDGE, Jan. 2001.
• Fairley, Miki. “Q & A with J. Martin Carlson, CPO, FAAOP.” The O&P EDGE, May, 2007.
• Carlson, J. Martin, and Lisa Vervena. “Bringing Assistive Technology to Transition-Age Youth in Rural Minnesota.” Impact, University of Minnesota 8.1, Winter 1995, pp. 12-13.

Presentations

• Carlson, J. Martin. “The Shear Factor in Decubitus Ulcer Development.” RESNA Workshop. Seattle, WA, USA. Jun. 2013.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “Wheelchair Seating Design for Preventing and Treating Decubitus Ulcers.” Uniting Frontiers. Dec. 2012.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “The Role of Friction in Repetitive Loading Soft Tissue Damage.” AAOP One-Day Seminar. Chicago, IL. Oct. 2012.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “Some Ankle-Foot Orthosis and Shoe Design Issues.” Jan. 2011.
• Carlson J. Martin. “Orthotic Management of the Lower Limb of Children with Cerebral Palsy.” Sep. 2010.
• Carlson, J. Martin, Charles Kuffel, and Rosie Jovane. “Thermoformable AFO Design.” Four-day clinical workshop, Lower Limb Biomechanics and Orthotic Design with emphasis on Diabetic Foot Care. Guadalajara, Mexico. Mar. 2010.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “The Role of Friction Management in Keeping Our Patients Walking With Comfort.” Uniting Frontiers Regional Meeting. Panama. May 2009.
• Albanese, Mary Kay, and J. Martin Carlson. “Staff Development in Rehabilitation Technology Services.” Proceedings of the RESNA 10th Annual Conference, 1987.
• Albanese, Mary Kay, and J. Martin Carlson. “Two Mobility Devices for Children with Spina Bifida.” Proceedings of the RESNA 8th Annual Conference,1985, pp. 421-423.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “Mechanics of the Human Spine.” A Manual on Deformities of the Spine. Twin Cities Scoliosis Center. 1977, pp. 21-31.

Journal Articles

Flexure Joint Technology

• Carlson, J. Martin and Lisa Vervena. “Die Flex-Gelenk-Technologie fur die Orthetik: Theorie und Praxis.” Orthopadie-Technik, May 1999.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “The Story Behind Orthotic Flexure Joint Technology.” O&P Business World, 1.2, 1998, pp. 22-24.
• Carlson, J. Martin, Bruce Day, and Gene Berglund. “Double Short Flexure Type Orthotic Ankle Joints.” Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 2.4, 1990, pp. 289-300.

Friction Management

• Carlson J. Martin and Sarah A. Curran. “The Mechanism of Soft Tissue Damage: It is All in the Rub.” Prosthetics and Orthotics International, vol. 39.1, Jan. 2015, pp. 82-84.
• Carlson J. Martin. “The Mechanics of Soft Tissue Damage: Removing the “Teeth” from the Rub.” The Academy Today 7.1, Feb. 2011, pp. A-5-7.
• Carlson J. Martin. “How Interface Material Friction Properties Relate to the Goals of Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Services.” Uniting Frontiers, 4 May 2009, pp. 8-16.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “Functional Limitations from Pain Caused by Repetitive Loading on the Skin: A Review and Discussion for Practitioners, with New Data for Limiting Friction Loads.” Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics. 18.4, Oct. 2006, pp. 93-101.
• Hanna, T., and J. Martin Carlson. “Freedom from Friction.” OrthoKinetic Review, 4.2, Mar.-Apr. 2004, pp. 34-35.
• Carlson J. Martin. “The Friction Factor.” OrthoKinetic Review 1.7, Nov.-Dec. 2001, pp. 1-3.

Sitting Support Orthosis Design

• Carlson J. Martin, Susan L. Wood, “A Flexible, Air-Permeable Socket Prosthesis for Bilateral Hip Disarticulation and Hemicorporectomy Amputees.” Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 10.4, 1998, pp. 110-115.
• Carlson J. Martin, Mark J. Payette, et al. “Seating Orthosis Design for the Prevention of Decubitus Ulcers.” Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 7.2, 1995, pp. 51-60.
• Carlson, J. Martin, and Mark J. Payette. “Rehabilitation fur Beruf-und Freizeit.” (“Adaptive Equipment for Seated Function, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Recreation.”) Orthopadie Technik, Jan. 1992, pp. 21-25.
• Carlson, J. Martin, John Lonstein, Karen Beck, and David C. Wilkie. “Seating for Children and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy.” Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics, Fall 1986, pp. 137-158.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “Seating and Spine Support for Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.” Proceedings of the RESNA 8th Annual Conference, 1985, pp. 36-38.
• Payette, Mark J., Mary Kay Albanese, and J. Martin Carlson. “Custom Seating at Gillette Children’s Hospital.” Proceedings of the RESNA 8th Annual Conference, 1985, pp. 412-414.
• Carlson, J. Martin, and Robert B. Winter. “The Gillette Sitting Support Orthosis.” Orthotics and Prosthetics, Dec. 1978, pp. 34-45.
• Carlson, J. Martin, and Robert B. Winter. “The Gillette Sitting Support Orthosis for Non-Ambulatory Children with Severe Cerebral Palsy or Advanced Muscular Dystrophy.” Minnesota Medicine, Aug. 1978, pp. 469-473.

Spinal Orthotic Design Bio-Mechanics

• Carlson, J. Martin and Mark J. Payette. “Orthotic Management of the Paralytic Spine.” The Atlas of Spinal Orthotics, Oct. 2017, pp. 185-201.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.” Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 19.3, 2007.
• Carlson, J. Martin., and Keith M. Smith. “Description for New Overall Balance: Summation for the Conservative Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis in Determining Orthosis Design.” The Academy Today, 3.4, Oct. 2007.
• Carlson J. Martin. “Clinical Biomechanics of Orthotic Treatment of Thoracic Hyperkyphosis.” Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 15.4, 2003. Supplement.
• Carlson J. Martin. “Clinical Biomechanics of Orthotic Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis.” Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 15.4, 2003. Supplement.
• Carlson, J. Martin., and R.B. Winter. “Biomechanik und Orthesen – modelle fur die optimale Versorgang von Patienten mit idiopathischer Skoliose.” Orthopadie-Technik, Jan. 1999.
• Carlson, J. Martin., R.B. Winter, J.L Lonstein, and C.E. Schemitsch. “Eine Kurze Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthese fur Lumbale und Thoraco-Lumbale Idiopathic Skoliosen (Teil I).” Orthopadie Technik, Apr. 1995, pp. 304-311.
• Carlson, J. Martin., R.B. Winter, J.L Lonstein, and C.E. Schemitsch. “Eine Kurze Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthese fur Lumbale und Thoraco-Lumbale Idiopathic Skoliosen (Teil II).” Orthopadie Technik, Jun. 1995, pp.502-516.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “Wie Kann die Biomechanik fur die Konstruktion von Orthopadishen Apparaten Eingesetzt Werden.” Orthopadie Technik, Nov. 1994, pp. 1020-1023.
• Carlson, J. Martin., R.B. Winter, and J.L Lonstein. “Biomechanische Aspekte in der Rumpforthetik des Kindes.” (“Biomechanical Aspects of Pediatric Spinal Orthotics.”) Orthopadie Technik, Oct. 1991, pp. 713-721.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “Klinische Biomechanik der Idiopathischen Skoliose.” Orthopadie Technik, Aug. 1986, pp. 422-429.
• Lonstein, John E., and J. Martin Carlson. “The Prediction of Curve Progression in Untreated Idiopathic Scoliosis during Growth.” The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 66-A.7, Sep. 1984, pp. 1061-1071.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “A Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis for Idio-pathic Scoliosis, Part II.” Fabrication, Fitting, Evaluation. (A Professional Instruction Booklet Published by Gillette Children’s Hospital), 1982.
• Carlson, J. Martin. “A Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis for Idio-pathic Scoliosis, Part I.” Indications, Design, Mechanics (A Professional Instruction Booklet Published by Gillette Children’s Hospital), 1980.
• Winter, Robert B., and J. Martin Carlson. “Modern Orthotics for Spinal Deformities.” Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, Jul.-Aug. 1977, pp. 74-86.

Lower Limb Orthotic Design Bio-Mechanics

• Carlson, J. Martin, and Phillip Stevens. “Qualitative Understanding of the Lower Limb in Children with Bilateral Cerebral Palsy.” The Academy TODAY, Mar. 2011, pp. A-4 – A-5
• Carlson, J. Martin. “Offering a 0.1-Percent Solution.” The O&P Almanac, Sep. 1997, pp. 67-68.
• Carlson, J. Martin, and Fran Hollerbach, Bruce Day. “A Calf Corset Weightbearing Ankle-Foot Orthosis Design.” Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 4.1, Fall 1991.
• Carlson, J. Martin, and John French. “Knieorthesen bei Genu Valgus. Untersuchungen an 11 Handelsublichen Konstruktionen zu den Einflussen von Lange und Steifigkeit.” Orthopadie Technik, Feb. 1990, pp. 79-87.
• Carlson, J. Martin, and John French. “Knee Orthoses for Valgus Protection: Experiments on 11 Designs with Related Analysis of Orthosis Length and Rigidity.” Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, Oct. 1989.
• Carlson, J. Martin, and Mary Kay Albanese. “A Recumbent Support Orthosis for Control of Lower Limb Deformities in Children with Neuromuscular Disabilities.” Proceedings of the RESNA 8th Annual Conference,  1985, pp. 212-214.
• Beck, Karen, J. Martin Carlson, and Richard J. Johnson. “Mobility Aids and Prostheses for a Child with Four Anomalous Limbs.” Orthotics and Prosthetics, 36.4, Winter 1982-83, pp. 29-32.
• Carlson, J. Martin, and Gene Berglund. “An Effective Orthotic Design for Controlling the Unstable Subtalar Joint.” Orthotics and Prosthetics, Mar. 1979, pp. 39-53.