CURRENT PEDORTHICS January/February 2008 www.pedorthics.org
Enthesopathy in Pedorthics
‘Hard Hats’ for your Feet Spring Has Sprung
CURRENT PEDORTHICS
JAnUAry/FEBrUAry 2008
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FEAtUrES DEPArtMEntS
6 Safety First: Shoe Options Offer ‘Hard Hats’ 4 President’s Message for the Feet By Mel Cheskin, MBS., C. Ped 34 Association News 38 New PFA Members 12 Enthesopathy in Pedorthics Paul A. Chromey, D.P.M., C.Ped. 40 Industry News 44 Vendor News Spring Has Sprung 16 By Mel Cheskin, MBS., C. Ped 45 Pedorthic Educators Directory 46 Pedorthic Industry Events Member Profile: Cindy Mattingly — Kentucky 22 48 Resource Center Pedorthist Refuses to Fit ‘Diabetic Shoes’ By Berry Craig 52 Pedorthic Marketplace 55 Product Reference Guide 26 PFA 2007 Symposium Wrap-Up: 2007 Symposium Brings Together PFA Members
CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 1 CURRENT PEDORTHICS
Pedorthic Footwear Association Board of Directors Randy Stevens, C. Ped., BOCped., CFO...... President Headquarters Staff Dane LaFontsee, C. Ped...... Vice President Kristi Hayes, C. Ped...... Secretary/Treasurer Executive Director Mike Forgrave, C. Ped., C. Ped. (C)...... Immediate. Past President Brian K. Lagana Jamie Dick, PT, C. Ped...... Director Arthur Smuckler, C. Ped...... Director. Association Coordinator Michael D. Veder, C. Ped., CO, BOCO...... Director. Ben Petok Faith Ballard, C. Ped., CO...... Director Alan Barthold, C. Ped...... Director Membership Services Coordinator Harlon Compton, C. Ped., CO...... Director. Erin L. McGill Liz Chiles, C. Ped...... Director John Hooper, C.Ped...... Director Director of Education Stuart L. Pressman, C. Ped., CO...... Director. Al Baggett Stephen O’Hare...... Vendor/ManufacturerLliaison Allan J. Weiner...... Legal Counsel Education Associate
Craig Young, MD...... Medical Advisor Lauren Kemp Raymond L. Fritz, DPM, C. Ped...... Medical Advisor Director of Meetings and Conventions Allan B. Grossman, DPM, FACFAS...... Medical. Advisor John Rubsamen Editorial Staff Jay Strother...... Publisher and Editor Exhibits and Sponsorship Coordinator William Wargo...... Art. Director Wayne Horton Patrick Williams...... Design/Production. Director of Marketing Advertising & Services Gregory Akroyd Erin McGill ...... Membership Tracey Aaron ...... Current Pedorthics Marketing Associate Monica Kurlemann...... PFA Symposium Nikita Wilson
Current Pedorthics (ISSN 1552-8111) is published bimonthly by the Pedorthic Footwear Association (PFA), 2025 M St., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036. Telephone: 202-367-1145 or 800-673-8447, Fax: 202-367-2145, Web site: www.pedorthics.org, E-mail: [email protected]. Copyright© 2008, PFA. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission. Letters to the Editor and other unsolicited material are assumed intended for publication and are subject to editing. Articles in CP do not necessarily reflect the opinion of PFA, its Board of Directors or its employees. CP’s use of trademarked names is done in an editorial fashion intended to benefit the trademark owner, with no intention of trademark infringement. Subscriptions are available for $45 per year in the United States ($65 outside USA). Back copies, if available, may be purchased for $5.00 U.S. If you have any questions regarding display advertising or classified ads, please e-mail Tracey Aaron at [email protected] . Please send all product- and industry-related press releases to [email protected] .
2 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008
President’s Message
What to Consider When Choosing Who Accredits Your Pedorthic Facility
By Randy Stevens
eptember 2009 is not that far off, but do not facility recognizes and allows you to utilize your bow to the pressure of advertisements that full scope of practice. you see from pedorthic facility accreditation S If you maintain a pedorthic license, you should bodies and rush off in haste to have your pedorthic facility accredited. There are ten deemed accredi- question the pedorthic facility accreditation providers tation providers recognized by the Centers for that you are interested in to determine if they will Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), but there recognize and accredit your facility and recognize are several things that you need to take a look at your full scope of practice as a licensed pedorthist within your pedorthic practice and facility before as defined within your state’s licensure practice act, you choose who you want to accredit your pedor- including the definition of “pedorthic device.” thic facility. If the accreditation provider does not recognize Choosing the appropriate facility accreditation body your full pedorthic scope of practice, you should to accredit your pedorthic facility is one of the most find an accreditation provider that will, as this important decisions that you have to make. Choosing impact your ability to bill for items under the a recognized deemed accreditation provider that you definition of “pedorthic devices” and for you to will allow to accredit your pedorthic facility will set receive payment for those items dispensed. the tone for how your business practice operates and There is another thing to consider when your ability to bill Medicare. investigating facility accreditation providers There are many things to consider when choosing (especially when you carry multiple disciplines): who accredits your pedorthic facility, including does the provider charge you for each discipline in what credentials or licenses you currently carry: which you are licensed or credentialed, or does the provider offer a flat rate to accredit your facility? • If you carry a pedorthic license and a pedorthic credential, remember that your pedorthic license Keep in mind the facility accreditation provider’s in the state for which you practice is what you inventory requirements. Not all facility need to follow in regard to your pedorthic scope accreditation providers require that you maintain of practice. a certain level of inventory. Medicare has set a baseline for the deemed accreditation bodies to • In states that have pedorthic licensure, and if follow, and some have added inventory levels above you are licensed by the state, your pedorthic and beyond that threshold. Question the facility certification is considered a volunteer certifica- accreditation provider on their inventory levels tion and is not used as a basis for you to submit versus those set by Medicare (or by their own and bill Medicare. facility accreditation guidelines). • If you maintain a pedorthic license issued by the All pedorthic practices function differently, state in which you practice, always go by the especially with regard to items dispensed. So pedorthic scope of practice of your licensure prac- tice act and not the pedorthic scope of practice of each and every one of you may have different the certification body from which you carry your needs to be met when it comes to pedorthic volunteer certification, as these may differ. facility accreditation. Do a lot of research and choose wisely, because the accreditation body Many of PFA’s members carry multiple licenses or that you choose to accredit your pedorthic facility are crossed credentialed and practice in multiple will be for a three-year time period. For further disciplines. As a practitioner and business information on the 10 deemed accreditation owner you need to make sure that all of all your providers recognized by CMS, visit PFA’s Website disciplines are recognized by the accreditation at www.pedorthics.org . ■ provider you choose. Make sure the accreditation provider that you choose to accredit your pedorthic
4 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 BUILDING COMPLIANCE ON YOUR RECOMMENDATION
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To find a Procare fit specialist near you, visit newbalanceprocare.com ©2008 New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. All rights reserved. Inc. Athletic Shoe, ©2008 New Balance Safety First: Shoe Options Offer ‘Hard Hats’ for the Feet By Mel Cheskin, MBS., C. Ped
hatever the risk to which your feet may be Recreational Safety exposed, the shoe industry can supply you with For many years now, hikers, ice climbers mountaineers, suitable protective footwear. Hard hats may be the W trekkers, snowboarders, motor cyclists and emergency crews symbol for safety on the construction site but remember that have been placing their faith “at every turn” in the extreme accidents can happen at any time. Protective footwear runs ® the gamut, depending on need: abrasion, tear and rip proof keprotec fabrics from Schoeller, Switzerland. Keprotec fabrics contain Kevlar® fibers and are • abrasion resistant upper materials for mountaineering used for those shoes and boots that have to meet the highest rescue crews; safety requirements in terms of robustness, durability and • non-slip soling for fishermen; long life cycle – and still be comfortable. • Nomex® fire-retardant materials for fire fighters; • electrostatic dissipative soling in clean rooms; The different footwear qualities in this product range and the similarly abrasion-proof “dynatec” group offer further features • land-mine blast protection for soldiers; or such as breathability, good air permeability, full-surface • even reflective safety trim for night runners. reflection, comfortable stretch or a high standard of fire and Today’s consumers need to select the appropriate form of cut proofing. An additional significant criterion is the weight protection that fits their work or play activities to prevent factor, which ranges from the extremely light fabric to the their feet from being crushed, fractured, pierced or burned. compact weight class. Increasingly, lighter fabrics with good Here are some of the latest protective footwear products being stability and safety features are being used to reduce injuries introduced onto the market. in the workplace as well as for running, sailing and tennis. continued on page 8
6 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008
Safety First continued from page 6
The ballistic perils of firefighting, such as falling timbers and underfoot penetration, make it paramount to protect fireman from flame and heat.
Performance Updates Both are covered by 36 full pages of materials specifications and construction details. All boots made under DoD contracts The various shoe qualities acquire even greater functionality are held to strict military specifications adhering to ASTM, through modern Schoeller finishing technologies. ISO and SATRA standards. NanoSphere® technology offers an extremely high level of ® water and stain protection. 3XDRY provides active moisture Perhaps the most challenging specialized military safety management. Thanks to its antimicrobial protection, the new footwear is that produced to minimize injuries caused by “ActiveSilver™ finish brings day-long freshness. anti-personnel land mines. Protection for the foot can come from two types of footwear, depending on the type of mine: Active temperature regulation is achieved by the phase- change materials of the Schoeller® PCM™ textiles combined • Fragmentation mines scatter metal fragments through the with the “c-change™” membrane technology that opens or air cutting into anything in their path. Footwear protection closes again depending on temperature and moisture, offers from this form of mine takes the form of Kevlar and ballis- new footwear that is wind and waterproof and ensures a tic nylon-mesh reinforced upper materials to cover the top “feelgood” climate. of the foot and lower leg. Schoeller supplies performance upper materials to many brands: • Protection from the results of detonating an underfoot blast Bestard, Sportiva, Timberland, Scarpa, SpringBoost, Atomic mine demands more complex footwear construction meth- Amer, Raichle, Garmont, Murphy & Nye and Kolon (Activ). ods. Specialized protective anti-personnel boots from Welco in the United States offer soles with deep outsole cleats and Danner U.S.A. draws on its own innovative technology to an extra-thick midsole wedge that acts as a large cushion to offer the long-distance hiker relief from hot climates with its spread the shock impact over a greater surface area. new HOT technology. The Tucson HOT is constructed with materials and technology for warm weather conditions. The Another anti-blast footwear device comes in the form of a Coolmax lining wicks away moisture to keep feet dry and strap-on metal platform used to elevate the primary footwear. comfortable while out on the trail. Produced by Med-Eng Systems, the “Spider Boot,” as it has been nicknamed, exploits a unique design to distance the foot For Spring 2007 Danner has incorporated the new from the source of the blast with the intent of allowing energy technology into several models including Terra Force™, Terra and fragments produced by the blast to be dispersed and Force X and Camohide, with branded materials including deflected away from the foot. Coolmax, GoreTex®, Vibram® and Thinsulate™ Ultra Insulation to develop a boot that’s built for ultimate outdoor work or sport performance. Additionally, Danner partners A Hot topic in Safety Footwear with Realtree® and Mossy Oak® to incorporate their popular The ballistic perils of firefighting, such as falling timbers branded patterns. and underfoot penetration, make it paramount to protect fireman from flame and heat. Here also there are a number of specialist standards relating to footwear, which include Protecting Each Other flammability tests. Safety boots for the military services can include various categories from underfoot land-mine protection to Mountain Core safety footwear standard BSEN ISO 20344 provides the Cold Weather Boots, such as those specially designed by methods used to CE-mark the vast majority of safety footwear Danner for the United States Marine Corps. As in industrial applications, including a contact heat (sand bath) test in Europe. footwear, military footwear is produced to strict specifications. Other specialist standards detail other heat and flame tests: In the United States, military-grade boots and shoes are • prEN 15090 for firefighters’ footwear, which is currently legislated to be produced domestically to U.S. Department of under development; Defense Index of Specifications and Standards. A typical example • the UK national standard for foundry footwear BS 4676; and would be for Hot Weather Combat Boots, which come in two types; one for wet conditions and one for dry environments. • public order footwear against BS 7971-5.
continued on page 10
8 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 Our customer service reps told us we should change our pedorthic ad to tell practitioners Pedorthist about the products that they get requests for day after day. Some of these have been around for awhile and are proven winners. And some of them are new products that everyone seems excited Preferences about. But all of them are worth taking a look at if you haven’t tried them before. So call your friendly, knowledgeable PEL customer service rep today and order an old friend — or a new favorite.
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Pedorthic Ad_C.indd 1 9/21/07 11:58:22 AM Safety First continued from page 8
In addition, there is a wide range of foot problems associated with workplace conditions, including calluses, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis and (simply) tired, aching feet.
Typically, these standards specify performance levels for likely to have a fatigue-related mishap. footwear against small ignition sources, radiant heat, contact ® ® heat and molten metal. LaCrosse developed its Quad Comfort system to provide extra protection, support and comfort on the worksite. Two other less obvious categories of footwear requiring Featuring a four-layer cushioning system, it has an EVA heat and flammability safety regulations are children’s footbed for arch support and a second layer of EVA foam slippers and motor racing shoes. SATRA’s technology for added support. The Quad Core is another layer of EVA center has developed a test method (TM 225) to assess the covering the insole board for lateral support with cutout flammability of children’s slippers, including those novelty zones to offload and cushion notorious pressure areas in the designs that resemble animals and soft toys, in order to heel and forefoot. help manufacturers demonstrate compliance with European General Products Safety Directives. Work customers include people in law enforcement, agriculture, firefighting, miners, construction, industry and For serious motor car racing (and at 200 mph plus, who is other occupations that require high-performance and protective not serious?), safety footwear such as produced by Simpson footwear as a critical tool for the job. While manufacturing and Piloti, takes the form of DuPont’s Nomex® lining jobs have declined, the U.S. service sector continues to grow. material. Nomex is an inherently flame-resistant aramid fiber Companies such as Wolverine, Red Wing and Lehigh specialize that won’t melt, drip or support combustion in the air. Its in work-safety. Red Wing offers more than 180 styles of boots flame resistance is permanent, which means it cannot be and shoes from the stereotypical nubuck 6-inch, steel-toe washed out or worn away. construction boot to the non-slip athletic-styled look with disguised non-metallic safety toe cap. On the Industrial Side On the subject of safety toecaps: Australian company According to the National Safety Council in the United Footwear Industries Pty. Ltd., is making inroads with what is States., reported foot-related workplace injuries amount to claimed to be the first non-metallic and clear safety toecap in more 180,000 per year: That’s four hundred cases a day. the world to pass three major international impact tests: The U.S. industrial market for safety shoes and boots, rubber • the Australian and New Zealand Standards or plastic boots, and foot and leg guards is holding steady at AS/NZS 2210.3 Class 1; just over $1 billion. Approximately $80 is spent per employee • European EN 345 Class 1; and on foot protection per year. There are two major categories of work-related foot injuries: • USA ANSI Z41 Class. • The first includes foot injuries from puncture, crushing, The new toecap, known as Hi-PA, or High Impact Polymer sprains and lacerations. Alloy, is also marketed as being completely transparent. • The second includes those resulting from slips, trips and falls. The impact testing method conducted on safety toecaps is designed to represent common industry accidents. It requires Added together, the two categories represent nearly 25 a special drop test apparatus to be used. The toecap is held percent of all disabling injuries on the job. in place, and then a 20g weighted chisel is dropped from a height of 1,020 mm releasing an energy force of some 200 In addition, there is a wide range of foot problems associated joules. The height that the toecap depresses is then measured with workplace conditions, including calluses, ingrown after the impact. The minimum average height that the toecap toenails, plantar fasciitis and (simply) tired, aching feet. must obtain is between 12.5 and 15 mm, depending on the While difficult to measure, fatigue can be a contributor size of the toecap used. to accidents. Hence the trend toward lightweight, more comfortable footwear choices means workers will grow less Tests have shown that no steel toecap can receive two tired during the long workday and, employers hope, less consecutive 200 joule impacts and still pass the impact test
10 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 standard. The new Hi-PA toecap has been shown to retain it has become increasingly important for safety footwear its integrity after five consecutive impacts without failing manufacturers to adopt and adhere to ISO (International the minimum clearance. In addition the Hi-PA toecap was Standards Organization) standards. subjected to a number of additional tests that steel is not required to undertake, such as immersing the Hi-PA toecap in One such test is penetration resistance without the need for various solutions including sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide a metal plate to be imbedded into the midsole/outsole sole and isooctane for 24 hours prior to impact testing. Once again, assembly. The EN ISO 20345 standard test is a with penetration the Australian product exceeded the impact requirement. force of at least 1100N to push a truncated probe through the bottom assembly using the method in EN ISO 20344 (for metal Another recent development in safety toecaps has been plates). Surprisingly, some textiles used in forced lasting methods introduced by the Esjot Group, a division of Texon have proven to be offering as much protection as might be International Group Ltd. Using an new technology called expected from thinner metal types of plate. Liquid Forged Aluminum Alloy, the new toecaps are interchangeable with steel caps. They offer reduced weight, Tests on non-metal underfoot protection using a finer, smaller cost savings and are comparable in performance with hot- diameter probe have produced results below the 1100N forging. The new toe caps conform to the EN 12568 Standard standard, however this is somewhat offset by the argument and absorb more energy on impact than steel approved 200 that ballistic textile underfoot covering is more complete and joules. Like the Australian Hi-PA safety toecap, the Esjot cap therefore safer than coverage afforded by an 80-85 percent is non-corrosive and also non-magnetic, making it ideal for coverage with a metal insert. ESD safety footwear. Although the category may not be recognized as “cutting Underfoot plantar surface protection is equally important edge” technology, safety footwear, in its myriad forms is in the workplace and SATRA, as the leading EU Notified both innovative and progressive. Safety footwear plays an Body for safety footwear, has played a significant role in important lifestyle role and touches many lives positively recommending construction and37-8577 testing standards 1/2 for Pagesoling. 4Cwhether Horizontal they are worn in the workplace, on the battlefield, in the home, or simply at play. ■ With the ever-increasing productionSher shift Brand from West Handcrafted to East, Orthotics (7.25 x 4.75) Back in Action!
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CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 11 Enthesopathy in Pedorthics Paul A. Chromey, D.P.M., C.Ped.
nthesis is defined as an attachment of tendon, ligament a situation in considering the Achilles tendon’s attachment or articular capsuic to bone. The anthesis demonstrates to its bone, the os calcis. The Achilles tendon fans out at its Ea key position in the pathology of disease of the loco- insertion to bone and yet expands at its proximal extension motor system. The pathological entity known as enthesopathy as a muscle. This broadening will effectively reduce the unit is any abnormal attachment of tendon, ligament, or articular stresses and distribute the load more widely. capsule to bone. Enthesopathies are both the symptoms and disorder of function. Anatomically speaking, the enthesis or insertion is comprised of the attachment portion of the tendon; the attachment Histologically, the site of attachments of tendons, ligament or portion of the bone, which is not covered by the periosteum; articular capsule to bone is identified by four distinct zones.1 and any additional structure, such as bursae, fibrous tissue, adipose tissue and sesamoid bones. Each zone gradually merges into the adjacent zones. Furthest from the bone is the zone of tendon proper, which Sharpey and Ellis noted that “the periosteum contributes consists of collagen fibers interspersed with fibroblasts, to give firmer hold to the tendons and ligaments where referred to as “tendon cells.” Moving toward the bone, the they affix to the bone. These fibrous structures become tendon cells become more rounded and arranged in pairs incorporated with it at their attachment.” Sharpey’s fibers are with continuation of collagen fibers through the zone of a direct continuation of the tendonous fibers.3 fibrocartilage. Earlier we spoke of the fourth zone or so called “cement line.” In the third zone, the tendon cells increase in size and The cartilage layer adjacent to bone is calcified and known as become vaculated. The matrix is the size of crystallization Yoshida’s zone, which passes into the boney structure. These with mineral deposits. The fibrocartilage fibers remain fibers are not calcified.4 unchanged. However, in the fourth zone, a dark, regular band lies at the junction of fibrocartilage and calcified The enthesis has a very active metabolism. The enthesis is a cartilage. This is known as the “cement line.”2 metabolically active site, at least during growth – a point of possible significant since ankylosing spondylities, a known The calcification of fibrocartilage follows the more common enthesopathy, begins in adolescence and early adult life. pattern of apatite crystal deposits. Apatite deposition shortly Enthesis, being well described in adult spondyloarthritis before insertion serves as an excellent model for study of the as a site of rheumatic inflammation, has not been reported calcification process. in children. Numerous, anatomically complicated, and in children metabolically very active, sites of ligamentous The important transition from attachment of tendon, attachments to bone have been an unrecognized source of ligament, or articular capsule to bone is mediated by two musculoskeletal pain in childhood. tissues, i.e., fibrocartilage and its calcified counterpart. Frequency of enthesopathy and associated clinical The transmission of stress is greatly minimized when and radiographic features which characterize the the stress concentrations are reduced when the system is spondyloarthropathies in adults, as features of these arthritides in permitted to transmit stress equally to the load, rather than becoming injured by the loads it is exposed to. This is such continued on page 14
12 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 1ST
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Repeated stressing of the enthesis beyond the safe limits of their capacity creates marked pathological changes. This occurs particularly during sports activities.
childhood may lead to increased awareness of the importance of of the bone is irregularly undulated or ill defined. Outside enthesopathy as a cause of pain in these children.5 this is the calcified layer of cartilage. Demineralization is common with possible development of bone erosions. Small In addition, there is an abundant nerve supply to the attachment fragments of the repair process became known as osteophytes portion of the tendon. During movement, enthesis are exposed of enthesophytes. to large mechanical loads. The intrinsic elasticity of the fibers and their resistance both contribute to the strength of a tendon. Radiological changes in enthesis are often found incidentally. The shape of enthesophytes is influenced by the direction Hyaline cartilage is interposed at the site where the tendon of traction of the tendinous fibers as well as the external passes into the bone. The fibers are not calcified. The pressure exerted. calcified cartilage layer adjacent to bone is known as Yoshida’s zone. Hyaline cartilage, interposed between the tendon and The relationship between enthesopathies and degenerative bone, plays an important role as to prevent sharp angulation disease of bones and joints are essentially simultaneous. of the tendinous fibers when the direction of traction Enthesis becomes an integral component in other changes. Hence, hyaline cartilage compensates for pressure inflammatory rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid changes and buffering impacts. spondylitis. Findings in ankylosing spondylitis differ markedly from rheumatoid spondylitis. The width or thickness of the hyaline cartilage varies with age. During aging, the amount of ground substance diminishes The capacity to elude new bone formation is lacking; therefore, and the number of cells decline. In osteoarthritis and in rheumatoid spondylitis slackening of ligamentous tension other associated degenerative changes, enthesopathies are occurs, giving rise to joint laxity. Also, joints do not develop increasingly common with age.6 stiffness and ankylosis so typical of ankylosing spondalities.8 Repeated stressing of the enthesis beyond the safe limits of In Reizer’s Syndrome, a disorder in which insertion of their capacity creates marked pathological changes. This tendons and fascia become inflamed as demonstrated by bone occurs particularly during sports activities. The tendinous scans, heel pain occurs in more than 50 percent of patients fibers become ruptured, which impair the continuity of and calcaneal periostitis or erosions may be seen on X-ray. the cartilage zone, thus denuding bone and small portions In addition, “sausaging” or diffuse swelling of the digits, the of cartilage or bone that were separated by the pull on toes, is common and reflects combined articular and soft tendinous fibers. tissue involvement.9 The damage induces repair attempts with its abundant Also in Reiter’s Syndrome, the enthesitis of the calcaneous vascularity, therefore, attempting to reconstruct the cartilage is at first destructive and erosive. The enthesis is most often zone and ultimately bone. This level of healing occurs by localized to the distal, superior surface of the calcaneous, the means of the deposition of calcium apatite crystals into origin of the planter aponeurosis and long plantar ligaments collagen fibers, which together will form new bone.7 on the plantar surface of the oscalcis. The anthesis is often symmetrical. The classical signs of acute inflammation, i.e., pain, swelling, heat, redness and loss of function, will occur in an acute In psoriatic arthritis, the calcaneal enthesitis is also seen, enthesopathy. Almost pathognomonic is the acute pain which but the changes are often asymmetrical with less bone spur is best demonstrated by a resisted active movement from the formation.10 contraposition. The relationship between enthesis and other associated Thus, enthesopathy of the Achilles tendon insertion is tested metabolic enthesopathies are most evident when the enthesis is clinically by dorsiflexion of the foot and asking the athlete known as ochronosis. These are deposits of pigment in tendons to plantarflex the foot against resistance. Acute piercing pain and their insertions which may include the apatite crystals. develops at the site of insertion. In articular chondrocalcinosis (pseudogout), calcium Radiographically speaking, a technique suitable for soft pyrophosphate dehydrate crystals are found in cartilaginous tissues must be used. The surface of the attachment portion structures or articular capsule.11 In podogra, or urate gout,
14 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 tophaceous involvement of the Achilles tendon may produce 1. Jacobs, M.S., Philero, S.J. and Wischnitzer, S.: Atlas of Histology, J.B. erosive changes in bone. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia. 1965. 2. Luben, R.A. Sherman, J.K. And Wadkins, C.L.: Studies of the Mechanism of Enthesopathies are often encountered in hyperparathyroidism, Biological Calcification. California Tissue Res. 1:39, 1973. both primary or secondary to hemodialysis: in hypopara- 3. Sharpey, W. and Ellis, G.V.: Elements of Anatomy, Ed. 6, Vol. 1, London thyroidism; osteomalacia, acromegalic arthoropathy12 and in 1856. paraplegic victim. 4. Luben, R.A. Sherman, J.K. And Wadkins, C.L.: Studies of the Mechanism of Biological Calcification. California Tissue Res. 1:39, 1973. Treatment centers around a few common goals, that is, to 5. HLA-B27 Associated Spondyloarthritis and Enthesopathy in Childhood, improve disorders of posture and gait, to prevent contractures Journal of Pediatrics, Vol. 100: 521-28, 1982. and to eliminate the underlying cause or disease. 6. Videman, T.: An Experimental Study of the Effects of Growth on the Relationships of Tendos & Ligament to Bones, Ann. Chlr. Gynecol. Fon., In acute entheopathies, such as gout inflammation or sports- 59:35, 1970. related injuries to the Achilles tendon insertion, intermittent 7. McMaster, P. E.: Tendon and Muscle Ruptures. Clinical & Experimental and short-term immobilization may be necessary in order to Studies. J. Bone Joint Surgery, 15:705, 1933. avoid development of contractures. 8. Ball, J.: Enthesopathy of Rheumatoid and Ankylosing Spondylitis. Ann. Rheum. Disl, 10:231-32, 1971. The local application of ice compresses may be beneficial. 9. Reiter’s Syndrome: Clinical Conference at Johns Hopkins Hosp., Johns This is supported with elevation of the part, rest and oral Hopkins Medical Journal, 150:39-44, 1982. analgesics for pain and discomfort. 10. Mathies, H.: Arthritis Psoriatic, ACTAMedien Austr. 1:3-8, 1974. 11. Maksimovie, B. and Mladenovic, V.: Chondrocalcinosis – Clinical and For subacute or chronic enthesopathies, warm or hot compresses X-ray Findings in 26 Patients. Ann. Rheum. Be-Gradensia, 7:137-45, are effective. This is further supported with physical therapy 1977. involving whirlpool and ultrasound in an attempt to improve 12. Bluestone, R. Bywaters, E.G.L. Hartog, P.L. Holt, P.J.: Acromeglic the local circulation and enhance healing. ■ arthropathy. Ann. Rheum. Dis., 30:243-58, 1971.
CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 15 Spring has Sprung By Mel Cheskin, MBS., C. Ped
hile Einstein was busy extolling the credibility of • spiral to cantilever; his Theory of Relativity another European inven- • Belleville to torsion,; Wtor was exploring the first recorded use of springs • air to wave; and in footwear. This is not really surprising, as springs became a • gas to rubber band. necessity in the production of the famed precision Swiss time pieces and firearms from the 14th century onward. Mechanix Materials can vary greatly too. Although one usually Illustrated magazine featured spring-heeled shoes in a 1939 associates springs with their metal forms just about any edition, claiming to be the latest aid for “prolonging shoe material that stores potential energy can act as some form of life and eliminating all jars to the various organs of the body spring. Consider Nike’s compressed “Air” bag as a point in experienced by wearers of ordinary shoes.” question. Undoubtedly, the most successful shoe feature in The shoes shown in 1939 were coil springs attached to a the history of footwear, Nike’s adoption of the Frank Rudy rubber heel plate invented by a Swiss shoemaker. But there innovative air bag patent in 1978 is, according to definition, a have been several other spring formations placed in shoes form of compression spring. leading up to today’s latest entries into the marketplace. More recently there has been a renewed interest in the A spring is a flexible elastic object used to store mechanical insertion of springs of all types into modern day footwear – energy, not all of which adhere to Hooke’s law: “The force both for casual and performance uses. Why then, such an with which the spring pushes back is linearly proportional interest in adding springs to footwear when so many other to the distance from its equilibrium length.” Springs come in materials offer better shock absorption? numerous shapes and configurations: The answer is in the other reaction to a soft cushioned • from helical (coil) to tension; landing for the feet and body: namely, energy return. New • leaf to catapult; compression (volute) to V; Balance had a great advertisement for its running shoes years
16 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 Spring has Sprung
ago illustrating this point. The ads showed a runner wearing The pressure contained in the encapsulated underfoot device two pillows strapped to his feet. The accompanying copy is expressed in PSI (pounds per square inch) and may be stated, “What could be more comfortable than this?” varied in separate chambers thus enabling the stability and cushioning to be controlled according to the amount of Without an adequate return or rebound of energy, once the pressure in each chamber. An undoubted advantage of air or shoe has reached maximum compression, the shoe would gas shock absorption in footwear is its weightlessness. Air or only aid the foot when landing. Springs are the most efficient gas shock absorbers cannot take a compression set (or bottom form of stored energy return. Of course, the balance between out) unless the container loses pressure. shock absorption and energy return determines the ultimate success of the mechanism placed in the shoe. Coil Springs Let’s look at the latest spring-enhanced footwear offerings and An exaggerated commercial form of spring footwear comes how their manufacturers are positioning them: from Z-Coil®, founded by Al Gallegos in New Mexico in 1995. Gallegos and his son Andrés have established Z-Coil® Compression Air Bags footwear and its trademarked slogan Pain Relief Footwear™, The most successful use of a spring device in footwear to date despite the radical appearance of the product. has been Nike’s compression air bag. Now out of patent in its The company has spent years refining the shoes to stabilize original form, the use of a compressed gas has been emulated the three-inch-wide conical steel coil spring in the heel. The by many companies in various forms using helium, nitrogen whole emphasis of the shoe is on impact reduction at heel and even butane gasses. Air suspension has a dampening effect strike with the mission to bring relief to every person who upon landing in a shoe but any energy return is derived from suffers from foot, leg and back pain. the actual encapsulated bag or bladder containing the gas. continued on page 18
CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 17 Spring has Sprung continued from page 17
Initially, Z-Coil wearers experienced some instability when to be custom fit in their own stores by a trained Z-Coil running in the radically plantarflexed shoe; however with the representative rather than sell through other independent inclusion of a rigid, built-in polypropylene cradle, called a retail shoe outlets. Z-Orthotic, instability has been reduced. Much as a car’s steel frame supports its shock absorbers, this anatomical shaped platform inside the shoe – in combination with increased Wavespring thickness and cushioning in the forefoot – has reduced the Engendering much publicity from the media with its “Ban me angle of plantarflexion and provided an overall better support if you can catch me” campaign and favorable reports from for the foot. The spring coil is adjustable with a simple screw Orthopedic physicians, Spira® has made an impact with its mechanism in the heel. WaveSpring™ Technology. WaveSpring™ is mechanical and will not break down or lose its extraordinary feel over time. The founding and establishment of Z-Coil’s radical heel-spring In fact, the springs will most likely outlast the shoe. shoe would not have been possible without the relentless belief in the concept by Al Gallegos and a fortunate business Created and patented in El Paso, Texas, WaveSpring relationship with South Korean shoe manufacturer Yong Oh technology is laterally stable, lightweight and compact as Lee. After making shoes for Nike® and Reebok® for many opposed to more traditional coil or conical springs. According years, Lee offered to construct a shoe of any design for $50. to Ray M. Fredericksen MS of Sports Biomechanics Inc., Needless to say, Lee was taken aback by the Z-Coil concept at Michigan State University (and who directs laboratory but accepted the challenge and the rest is shoe history. testing for Runner’s World Magazine), Spira’s WaveSpring (tested separately) has the highest energy return of any shoe In 2005, Z-Coil launched its retail franchise opportunity technology tested. The patented steel WaveSpring design named Pain Relief Footwear stores. According to studies uses 87 – 96 percent of the potential energy that can be used conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Z-Coil’s during propulsion to optimize performance. unique concept offered consumers a 50-percent decrease in impact and between 40 and 50-percent improvements in Spira has several configurations of WaveSprings engineered energy return as compared to elastomer midsole running for running and walking shoes; single heel, dual heel and shoes. An interesting side note is that Z-Coil requires wearers forefoot and Tri Spring (with one spring in the heel and two in the forefoot). In addition to (up to) a 96-percent energy return, WaveSprings reduce peak impact forces by 20 percent to allow runners and walkers to participate in activities for longer periods with less stress on the body. On one hand, Spira has gained excellent support and positive testimonials from many Orthopedic surgeons who have recommended the shoes to patients recovering from knee surgery or to reduce stress on the joints of the ankles, knees, hips and back. On the other foot, Spira created considerable publicity with its campaign to offer $1 million as prize money to any winner of the famed Boston Marathon wearing Spira running shoes. This is in the face of an Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) and USA Track and Field Association (USTA) ruling that states that “no spring….may be incorporated in the shoes.” The 2007 Boston Marathon saw Spira team up with Foot Solutions, the largest comfort footwear chain in the United States, to sponsor the Foot Solutions Elite Racing Team of Kenyon runners. Although no runner wearing the shoes won the race, the team did lead most prominently for half the race and scored a moral victory: Runner Oleg Strijakov took the Masters division. Andy Krafsur, president and founder of Spira, has entered a $10 million lawsuit against the marathon’s two governing bodies on the grounds of “restraint of competition.” Secondly, Krafsur argues that the IAAF and USTA have always embraced innovation - citing fiberglass vaulting poles and rubberized track surfaces – so why not springs in shoes?
continued on page 20
18 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 Orthotics Materials Didn’t Grow On Trees - Until Now! IntroducingIntroducing PoronPoron®®WithWith BambooteccBambootecc™™ClothCloth TheThe ChoiceChoice MaterialMaterial ForFor CoveringCovering OrthoticsOrthotics
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PICTURES REPRESENT SAMPLES OF FINISHED ORTHOTICS JMS Plastics has laminated PORON ® Embedded with nano-particles of For pricing and shipping information, cellular urethane with BAMBOOTECC™ naturally grown bamboo charcoal. call JMS at 800-342-2602 or visit us fabric cover made from activated bamboo Bambootecc is: online at www.jmsplastics.com. charcoal. This covering gives your orthotics ® • Made without allergy-inducing the superior cushioning of PORON cellular chemicals Through partnership with PolyGel. urethane and a top cover that is: • Highly porous & breathable • Anti-bacterial • Incredibly durable • Deodorizing • Enhancing to the circulation • Breathable 3535 Route 66, Bldg. #4 • Insulating Neptune, NJ 07753-2625 • Ecological/Green Available in sheets and rolls. 800-342-2602 It is the first application of NANO bamboo (732) 918-8115 cloth in the orthotics industry. Fax: (732) 918-1131 www.jmsplastics.com
Bambootecc™ is a registered trademark of PolyGel. PORON® is a registered trademark of Rogers Corporation. Spring has Sprung continued from page 18
Gravity Defyer available Springs in footwear seem to attract attention, especially if DECEMBER they are advertised nationally. Such is the direct-sales U.S. 2007! advertising campaign launched by Gravity Defyer in airline magazines and catalog publications. The company is owned and operated by Alexander Innovation Wizard (The AROA Marketing Company) with offices in Hong Kong and California. Gravity Defyer make a quality range of men’s leather dress and casual shoes with industrial-grade metal-coil springs embedded in a high-grade polymer unit sole. The company’s ads say that Gravity Defyer does it all: makes you taller; help you lose weight (based on the assumption you will walk further and spend more time on your feet – thus using more energy exercising); ease joint pain and pressure on the spine; help you jump higher and walk faster; and, of course, defy gravity. Just to make sure nothing is left out, Gravity Defyer includes a magnetic disc valve in the heel to increase blood circulation.
Mechanical Springs On a much lower key, two other new companies are trying their luck with mechanical springs. Whatever the differences in technology, the one constant feature with all spring technology in footwear is that it is always located in the midsole. One company introducing springs into sandals and clogs is J. Rubio, a manufacturer in Alicante, Spain. The visible spring is located between the upper and midsole/outsole unit and comprises a “shock absorbing trained steel coil spring in the heel.” J. Rubio specializes in women’s shoes that are worn in hospitals throughout Europe. The company reports that its shoes benefit the wearer’s feet, back and knees. Another company, marketing its product under the name of “Dick Butkus Monster Spring Shoes,” offers a limited range of work, casual, walking and golf shoes with a patented titanium coil-spring system using 10 springs in both heel and forefoot to absorb shock at foot strike with mechanical integrity for better energy recoil . Monster Spring Shoes, located in California and Florida, makes similar claims for their shoes: maximum comfort, support and shock absorption for the wearer; lower foot fatigue; relief for aching arches and associated lower leg pain. The company says that wearing Monster Spring Shoes is most often described as “walking on air.” ■
Think outside the box.Live inside our shoes. Mel Cheskin MBS., C.Ped., is the author of The Complete Handbook of Athletic Footwear. In his career as a designer and consultant, Women’s Advance Athletic Comfort E3730 Cheskin has worked for Nike (Cole-Haan), Adidas, Puma, Reebok, (800) 225-2192 | [email protected] | www.advancefootwear.com Brooks and Spenco Medical Corp. Cheskin is also a member of the Bioelectromagnetic Society in Frederick, Md., and associate member of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.
20 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 PFA0108 11/21/07 11:57 AM Page 1
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By Berry Craig
“We’re trying to get the state legislature to pass a licensure bill,” she reports. “The PFA is advising us. Randy sent us a copy of the Pennsylvania bill, which the Kentucky Pedorthic Footwear Association likes.” The Bluegrass State group is small. Only about two dozen pedorthists practice in Kentucky, a mostly rural state. “Because there are so few C.Peds. in Kentucky, I especially enjoy going to the annual PFA symposia and meeting other C.Peds. from around the country,” Mattingly says. “The camaraderie is wonderful.” Mattingly has been to the last three symposia. “The 2007 one, where they talked about post tibial tendon dysfunction – the adult flatfoot deformity – was really helpful to me because I see a lot of that,” she says. “I learned some different ways of looking at and working with that condition.” Mattingly works with clients inside Shoe Stop Inc., her brother’s retail shoe store. Mark Shively was glad to make room for his sibling and a pedorthics practice. “Time after time, we had heard complaints from people with diabetes who said they couldn’t get the shoes and service they needed in Owensboro,” he says. “So when I expanded the store from 8,000 to 12,000-square-feet, I saw a perfect opportunity to add pedorthics.” Even so, Mattingly didn’t plan on making pedorthics her oard-certified pedorthist Cindy Mattingly sees diabetes life’s work. “Before I became a C.Ped., I’d been at a bank patients almost every day. Yet she won’t dispense “dia- for 12 years,” she says. “By then, I was looking for other Bbetic shoes.” opportunities. Pedorthics interested me.” “A person with this disease is not a diabetic,” Mattingly Her mentors included a pair of pedorthics pioneers, Dennis explains. “You’re somebody with diabetes.” Janisse and Carl Riecken. Based in Milwaukee, Janisse is a pedorthics educator, consultant and founder of National So she fits “approved footwear for people with diabetes.” Pedorthic Services. “That might seem like a little thing, but it means a lot to me,” “I really wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into until I went to Mattingly explains. “I’m a person with Type 1 diabetes. I’m school under Dennis in Milwaukee,” Mattingly says, chuckling. not a diabetic.” “He is such a caring person, which is important in a pedorthist.” Mattingly operates Shoe Stop Clinic in Owensboro, Kentucky. She Mattingly said she took to heart something Janisse said about became a C.Ped. in 2006, but joined the PFA two years before. people with diabetes. “He explained that a person with this “I can’t afford not to be a member,” she says. “The PFA helps disease isn’t a diabetic. You’re a person with diabetes. “So I me in so many ways.” don’t advertise ‘diabetic footwear.’ The signs in my clinic say ‘approved footwear for people with diabetes.’” Mattingly is happy to furnish examples. “[PFA Executive Director] Brian Lagana and [PFA President] Randy Stevens came Riecken, who died in 2006, also practiced and taught to Kentucky and helped us start our organization,” she says. pedorthics. He owned Riecken’s Shoes and Orthotic Laboratory in Evansville, Indiana, not far from Owensboro. Mattingly means the new Kentucky Pedorthic Footwear Association (KPFA). She is secretary-treasurer. continued on page 24
22 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 AD Page Name: Natural Step Pickup: Nov/Dec 07 – page 45 Member Profile continued from page 22
“When I started out, I phoned him to see if he would help got to fit the mind before you can fit the foot. In other words, me,” Mattingly recalls. “‘Ah, I have a new competitor,’ he said. you tell the woman she has to compromise on style if she He was only kidding. He invited me to come over. He gave wants her shoes to stop hurting her feet.” me a tour of his whole facility. He was a very caring man.” In addition to footwear, Mattingly dispenses prescription and About 80 percent of the clients Mattingly cares for over-the-counter orthotics. She casts patients’ feet for custom have diabetes. “My referrals come from podiatrists and work, which she farms out to the lab at Branier Orthopedic orthopedists as well as endocrinologists,” she says. in Sunrise, Florida. “There is more of a turnaround time when you use an outside lab, but I know I’m getting top- She said working with diabetes clients is more than fitting quality work from Branier. Their work is awesome.” problem feet with shoes and inserts. Mattingly also uses “awesome” to describe Janisse, who also “You must educate the person, too,” she says. “I talk to them taught her the proper way to size feet with the venerable and provide literature that helps them become more aware Brannock Device. Her fitting stool tells clients she is serious of the disease and how it affects them. The PFA literature is about fit. great. Our clients pick it up every day. Sometimes they come back and tell me, ‘I read about what you said in the pamphlet “CAN WE MEASURE YOUR FEET TODAY?” asks a red- I took home.’ That reinforces what you tell them.” lettered sign bolted to the stool’s foot rest. “Jerry, my husband, made it for me,” Mattingly says. “The rubber was Mattingly also educates local physicians, some of whom have coming off the stool, so I decided to replace it with this sign still never heard of pedorthics. “I visit their offices and leave under a piece of clear Plexiglas.” brochures and information explaining how I can help them. Treating people with diabetes is a team approach. Doctors Mattingly said some women would like to answer “no” to her don’t deal with shoes, but the right shoes can save a person’s fitting stool. She sizes their feet anyway, weight-bearing and foot from amputation,” she says. non-weight-bearing, carefully recording left and right foot measurements on a clipboard. In addition to people with diabetes, Mattingly sees clients with other foot problems, ranging from arthritis to plantar “I try to avoid talking sizes,” Mattingly says. “I explain to them fasciitis. Also, some of her clients just want “sensible shoes.” that as we get older, gravity takes over. Our feet get longer and wider. But if a woman says she’s a [size] 7 and she needs a 9, “Comfort shoes are an easier sell now,” Mattingly says. I’ll put her in a 9, even if she says she’ll leave if I do.” “They’re a lot more stylish than they used to be. They don’t all look like shoe boxes.” Shively said he doesn’t fret about possibly losing business because his sibling insists on fitting shoes, not just selling Even so, she said some people, especially women, spurn shoes. “Mostly what I hear from people coming from Cindy shoes that are longer on comfort than on style. “They still is, ‘When I came in here, I was in real pain. Now I’m not. want a fashion shoe,” she says. “Dennis Janisse says you’ve Cindy changed my life.’” ■
24 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008
PFA 2007 Symposium Wrap-Up 2007 Symposium Brings Together PFA Members
The PFA Symposium offers members their most direct contact with each other. It achieves what these professionals view as one of the main benefits of belonging to the association: direct networking. The conference also brings great educational opportunities to attendees. And it gives PFA the opportunity to recognize industry innovators and the vendors who continue to help the organization fourish. Don’t miss the 2008 Symposium: November 6-9, The Golden Age: Foot Health and Wellness for Life, the association’s 50th Annual Symposium & Exhibition at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.
PFA’s Board of Directors, third row, left to right: Brian Lagana, Executive Director; Ray Fritz, DPM, Medical Advisor; Art Smucker, Director; Allan Grossman, DPM, Medical Advisor; Craig Young, MD, Medical Advisor; Allan Weiner, Counsel; second row, left to right: Harlon Compton, Director; Randy Stevens, President; Kristi Hayes, Secretary-Treasurer; Jamie Dick, Director; Michael Veder, Director; Alan Barthold, Director; first row, left to right: Faith Ballard, Director; Liz Chiles, Director; Mike Forgrave, Immediate Past President; Dane LaFontsee, Vice President; and, Stuart Pressman, Director.
Mike Forgrave, Kristi Hayes and Dane LaFontsee discuss a point during the board Stuart Pressman presents the concept for a new award to recognize outstanding governance session. pedorthic invention during the board meeting.
26 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 2008-0125:ABC 1/25/08 3:13 PM Page 1
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PFA President Randy Stevens welcomes attendees to the Allan Weiner, PFA’s Counsel with Kelley Drye Collier Shannon discusses the legal intricacies of business 49th annual Symposium and Exhibition. succession planning during a breakout session on Thursday.
In and around the 2007 Exhibition – PFA’s biggest yet, and the only one solely dedicated to the practice of pedorthics!
28 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 EZ From Flat Insole to Custom Foot Orthosis in Minutes
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Shane Hayes Receives Seymour Lefton Award as well as getting involved in an organization then called the Prescription Footwear Association. Working his way through Shane Hayes’ story begins more the board seats, he eventually served PFA as president. than three decades ago when he had a dream to own his own While on the PFA Board and as PFA president of PFA, Hayes shoe store. After joining the continued to fight for our profession. He and the rest of U.S. Navy and doing a tour in the board at that time wrote and helped get passed into Vietnam he returned stateside, legislation, The Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Bill (now known married and had two children. as the TSD). He took a job with JC Penney In addition to serving PFA’s membership for 14 years, Hayes and ended up managing the shoe continues to lecture at symposiums. He writes articles for department – but the dream of Current Pedorthics Magazine and supports the PFA board. He doing more was still alive. always sees the big picture for pedorthics and strives toward a After finding and buying a better, more advanced profession for all of us. shoe store, he discovered some In June 2007, Hayes flew to Chicago as a member-at-large grotesquely modified shoes in the back of the store. There and past president of PFA to assist our board in a strategic were hunks of thick leather glued to the sole of a shoe and planning session. He also helped a PFA committee produce a strange ramps built up on sides of the heels. Curiosity got new brochure. And he is tackling a chapter or two in the new the better of him so he asked the old man he had bought the pedorthic text! store from what he had been up to and apparently, there were a lot of people with foot problems and deformities. The man He’s not just a leader in PFA, he has assisted the association had just been trying to help. formerly known as the Board for Certification in Pedorthics Well, the young shoe salesman decided there had to be a better way to do it than putting an extra five pounds onto the bottom of someone’s shoe and started his quest for knowledge. This quest landed him at Ball State University where he quickly attained his OST accreditation -- the Orthopedic Shoe Technician. That course and the knowledge fed to him by Carl Reicken and Clyde Edwards allowed him to meet other people that had the same interests as he did and those people brought him into the very young yet wonderful world of pedorthics. Hayes soaked up the knowledge and education these “pedorthists” offered him. They encouraged him to get involved with them – to JOIN them – and so he did. He became certified and applied all the things he learned into his shoe store and began making more money and actually helped people. In return, the people he helped brought him fresh-baked bread, cookies, cards, hugs and tears. Whenever he had someone come in that could not afford this great service he provided, he always worked something out, or in some cases he donated his hard work. Hayes learned more and more and became an expert thanks to his mentors and he did what was asked of him and got PFA President Randy Stevens presents p.w. minor with the 2007 Vendor of the Year more involved by teaching others what he himself had learned Award for outstanding service to pedorthics.
30 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 on many projects through the years and has also lent his PFA Bestows Awards – to Members and a support to ABC as a committee member to continue to look out for the best interest of the Certified Pedorthist. He Unique Vendor lectures and teaches all over the country; is the National Five PFA members also received awards during the Pedorthic Consultant for Brooks Sports, Inc.; is the CEO of Symposium. These professionals earned the 2007 three successful companies; and he was the first Certified Volunteer Appreciation Awards: Pedorthist to be published in The Journal of the American Mark Grundman, C. Ped. Medical Association (JAMA). Chris Costantini, C. Ped. Seymour Lefton was one of Hayes’ long-time friends. He Jimmy Foto, C. Ped., BSME once told him that he deserved to get the award that bore his name, but if he didn’t Seymour wanted him to know that in Louis N. Iannuzzi, C. Ped., PT his mind he was the best Certified Pedorthist there was and Vasile Faklis, CO that he was very proud of him. Even though Seymour is no longer with us, I know that he is smiling down on you right Also during the Symposium, PFA awarded the Vendor of the now for this was his wish for Hayes. Year Award to P.W. Minor.
CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 31 PFA 2007 Symposium Wrap-Up
The Pedorthic Footwear Association thanks its exhibitors and sponsors who helped make the Symposium possible.
Exhibitors FLA Orthopedics, Inc. PW Minor Foot Dynamics, Inc. Solidus USA Quality Outcomes LLC ABC Foot Solution, Inc. RENIA-Gesellschaft Acor Orthopaedic, Inc. Frankford Leather Co. Inc. Riecken’s Orthotic Laboratory Advanced Casting Technology Gateway Shoe Machine, Inc. Ruby Leather & Orthopedic Co./ Aetrex Worldwide, Inc. Guard Industries Miami Leather Co. Affinity Insurance Services Haflinger/Theresia M. SafeStep AGS Footwear Group Hapad, Inc. SAS Shoemakers Alden Shoe Company Instride Shoes, LLC Saucony Allied Plastic Supply International School of Pedorthics Schein Orthopaedie Service KG American Shoe Corporation Jerry Miller ID Shoes Sequoia Footwear Amfit, Inc. JM Orthotics Shoe Systems Plus, Inc. Apis Footwear Company JMS Plastics Supply Smooth Toe Sock Co. Archmolds LLC Joseph Deacon Company SOLE Custom Footbeds Arizona AFO, Inc. Justin Blair & Company Soletech, Inc./Advanced Footwear Atlantic Footcare KLM Laboratories, Inc. Southern Leather Company Atlas International Klogs-USA Spenco Medical Group Bintz Company, Inc. Kumfs Shoes NZ Limited Sroufe Healthcare Products, LLC Biocorrect Orthotics Lab Langer STS Company Biomechanical Services, Inc. LL Custom Superfeet Worldwide, Inc. Birkenstock Distribution USA, Inc. MatPlus Sure Fit Birko-Ortho Medical Resources Limited Sure Foot Corporation BOC MJ Markell Shoe Company Tekscan, Inc. Branier Custom Molded Inserts MMAR Medical Group, Inc. Therafirm, A Division on Knit-Rite, Inc. Branier Custom Molded Shoes Natural Step Thorlo, Inc. Brooks Sports, Inc. New Balance Athletic Shoe Tidwells Orthotics CARF New Step Orthotics Trulife Crocs RX Orthofeet, Inc. Tru-Mold Shoes, Inc. Dansko OTABO UCO International DB Shoes, Ltd. Partner Ship LLC Vasyli/Orthaheel Diabco Ped. Lite Vibram/Quabaug Corp. Diacare Corporation Pedifx, Inc. Waldlaufer Doctor Specified Pedors Shoes Waterhouse Leather Co, Inc. Dr. 2 Shoes, Inc. Pedorthic Footwear Foundation Wolky North America Dr. Comfort Pedorthic Technology, Ltd Wrymark, Inc. Dr. Zen Therapeutic PEL Supply Company Xsensible Footwear Drew Shoe PFA Resource Center Z-Coil Pain Relief Footwear Duramed Supply & Billing Solutions, LLC PG Lite Edser Pilgrim Shoes Engwer and Associates Pine Tree Orthopedics Lab Tabletop Exhibits Euro International, Inc. Poly Gel LLC Biomechanics Euro International, Inc. Prizm Medical Inc. Eneslow Pedorthic Institute Feels Good Footwear ProLab Orthotics USA O&P Edge Finn Comfort USA Propet USA Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee
32 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008
Association News Know Where We’re Going — PFA’s 2007- 2009 Strategic Plan
Note: Your association exists to serve your interests in the industry. • Develop educational course content that goes beyond the tra- While PFA is built on a foundation of service and education, ditional pedorthic education boundaries and scope of practice. there are some goals that the association identifies as strategies to tackle. This three-year strategic plan is printed here to ensure By December 31, 2009, PFA will: PFA members know what the board has concluded are the pressing • Develop a credential to recognize international pedorthists objectives for the association. Please direct questions to Brian completing a PFA-approved course of pre-certification Lagana, [email protected]. pedorthic education. • Partner with a recognized university to deliver an AA-level he Pedorthic Footwear Association (PFA), founded in pre-certification pedorthics program. The program would 1958, is the not-for-profit professional association which include actual clinical experience and real-life facility on- Trepresents the interests of the certified and/or licensed the-job-training, potentially modeled after the University of pedorthist and supports the pedorthic profession at large. Washington hospital’s orthotics and prosthetics laboratory. Through PFA’s efforts, pedorthics — the design, manufacture, modification and fit of shoes and foot orthoses to allevi- • Complete and deliver PFA’s second pedorthic text. ate problems caused by disease, congenital condition, overuse or injury - is a well-established allied health profession which Build Awareness makes an invaluable contribution to public health. PFA’s mis- The Pedorthic Footwear Association will be the recognized sion is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the cre- organization representing and supporting pedorthics amongst dentialed (certified and/or licensed) pedorthist through educa- member and non-member practicing credentialed pedorthists; tion; increase the demand for the credentialed pedorthist’s ser- pedorthists’ referral sources; allied healthcare associations; vices through marketing; and defend the credentialed pedor- government decision makers at the state and federal levels; thist’s right to practice through government affairs activities. high schools and community colleges; and, the general public. Education By December 31, 2007, PFA will: The Pedorthic Footwear Association will become the • Have begun the process of conducting a re-branding pro- gram to align the association’s identity and capability with recognized source of information on the pedorthic profession the pedorthic community’s perception of pedorthics in the and high quality, advanced pre- and post- certification 21st century. pedorthic education. • Implement a public access searchable database of all cre- By December 31, 2007, PFA will: dentialed members of PFA. • Increase the size and diversify the composition of the • Redesign the graphic look of PFA Online and increase the Committee on Pedorthic Education (COPE) to include greater frequency of delivery from a monthly e-newsletter to a participation reflective of the various specialties and practice weekly or bi-weekly publication. settings of the general membership (i.e. pediatric, geriatric, athletic, diabetic, clinical, retail, government, hospital, etc.). • Create an editorial advisory board for Current Pedorthics magazine consisting of an equal number of board members • Work – as an interim step - to encourage current pedorthic and individuals from the general membership to develop education providers to offer certificate courses and testing editorial direction and content, recruit content writers, mechanisms to allow credentialed pedorthists to gain the write original articles themselves, provide direction to the required additional knowledge and evaluation needed to editorial/writing/layout staff, etc. exploit their complete scope of practice. • Publish the results of its second annual Survey of the By December 31, 2008, PFA will: Pedorthic Profession. • Develop and deliver online continuing education programs. By December 31, 2008, PFA will: • Partner with a pedorthic education provider to develop a • Advance pedorthics as a critical healthcare career to stu- PFA-branded pre-certification program. dents at the high school and community college levels by developing resource material such as “recruitment” posters • Develop pedorthic technicians by restoring and deliver- and informational brochures and distributing them to high ing PFA’s Orthopedic Shoe Technician (OST) program and school and community college career centers; exhibit at credential through an existing pedorthic education provider regional or larger career fairs. delivering highly technical, hands-on course content. • Reevaluate the number of allied healthcare association con- • Provide PFA-branded “boutique” certificate courses (i.e. cours- ferences that PFA exhibits at each year, so that PFA has an es that go beyond the “general” being provided by current enhanced presence at the several that are the most important education providers) with testing mechanisms for credentialed to the profession (top referral sources, for instance APMA, pedorthists to gain the required additional knowledge and AAFP, AADE), with one new one visited each year. By refin- evaluation needed to exploit their complete scope of practice. ing the number of conferences that PFA exhibits at each
34 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 year, it can then enhance its exhibit presence at the most Governance important ones by redirecting resources once used to exhibit The Pedorthic Footwear Association’s volunteer leaders will at many conferences to also allow the purchase of advertising and sponsorship at the most critical ones it identifies. become a cohesive and aligned Board of Directors. • Utilize the Board of Directors more effectively as cohesive By December 31, 2007, PFA will: spokespersons for the association by developing unified mes- • Create position descriptions specific to each board member sages and delivering them via Current Pedorthics, the web- and their area of interest. site, at the annual Symposium and in public appearances. • Implement an annual governance session for the board at By December 31, 2009, PFA will: PFA’s annual Symposium to educate new board members and reacquaint existing board members with standard prac- • Redirect some of the emphasis within pedorthics from diabe- tices and procedures. tes and Medicare to other pathologies/alternative insurance coverage, and incorporate “lifestyle” pedorthics into the image. By December 31, 2008, PFA will: • Encourage greater participation on PFA’s standing commit- • Implement monthly board conference calls and twice-year- tees by the general membership to allow more input into ly in-person board meetings. PFA’s decision-making process. Reconfigure PFA’s commit- • Have a volunteer leadership body that speaks with a cohe- tee structure so that each committee is composed of 50% sive voice when together or separate in situations that board members and 50% general members, and chaired by require a response to the public, government, other allied a member of the board of directors. healthcare organizations, etc. Government Affairs By December 31, 2009, PFA will: The Pedorthic Footwear Association will be the voice for the • Have a Board of Directors that is comfortable with the role pedorthic profession, advocating at the federal and state levels of the Executive Committee and knowledgeable in their to increased quality standards for pedorthic practitioners so the specific roles as Directors of PFA. public is protected and public and private benefit programs • Have a committee structure that is more engaged, with maintain integrity; and, remaining vigilant to protect the greater direct input from the membership at large. credentialed pedorthists right to practice to the fullest extent of their scope and to receive fair payment for their services.
By December 31, 2007, PFA will: • Invigorate PFA’s Coding Committee into a viable resource for members. • Create a publication detailing every HCPCS code that a credentialed pedorthist could utilize within the pedorthic scope of practice. • Hold a second Capitol Hill briefing for House and Senate Members and staff on Medicare’s Therapeutic Shoes for Diabetics benefit and pedorthics. • Begin to utilize PFA’s Insurance Committee to educate pri- vate payer insurers about pedorthics, the benefits that can be derived to beneficiaries and insurance companies alike AD Page by adequately covering conservative foot therapies. Pedorthic Newswire (Aetrex) By December 31, 2008, PFA will: Pickup: September-October – • Have testified in at least two states supporting pending pedorthic licensure legislation. page 40 • Have promoted to all fifty states PFA’s model legislation as the example for state pedorthic licensure legislation.
By December 31, 2009, PFA will: • Have implemented either taxonomy code modifications to existing O & P codes that include pedorthists and pedor- thic practices, or pedorthic-specific taxonomy codes. • Have testified in at least two additional states supporting pending pedorthic licensure legislation.
CURRENT PEDORTHICS •January/February 2008 35 Association News
Welcome Aboard — 2007-2008 Board Ready to Lead During the fall 2007 PFA Symposium, new professionals joined the association’s Board of Directors. Here are the members and their photos. This board will be in place until the November 2008 Symposium.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Immediate Past President Randy Stevens, C. Ped., Dane LaFontsee, C.Ped. Kristi Hayes, C. Ped. Mike Forgrave, C. BOC Pedorthist, CFO Orthletek Shane’s Foot Comfort Ped., C. Ped. (C) Randy Stevens Family Waterford, WI Center Mike Forgrave & Associates Footcare Seattle, WA Kitchener, Ontario, Canada Harrisburg, PA
Former PFA Presidents DIRECTORS Arthur Smuckler, C.Ped. (in chronological order) General Orthopedic, Inc. Class of 2008 Albany, NY Alan Darby Faith Ballard, C.Ped., CO Elizabeth “Libby” McGraw Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center Michael D. Veder, C. Ped., CO, BOCO Donald R. Haynes Raleigh, NC Gaitwell O & P, LLC Roger Marzano Eaton, OH Matthew Mirones Alan Barthold, C.Ped. Dennis Janisse Jay’s Wide Shoes INTERIM VENDOR/ Shane Hayes Beaverton, OR Bob Schwartz MANUFACTURING MEMBER Herb Steb Harlon Compton, C. Ped., CO LIAISON Compton Orthopedic Services Bill Douglas Stephen O’Hare Oklahoma City, OK Patrick Hackett Pedors Shoes Saul Marmer Class of 2009 Marietta, GA Dean Morgan Jean Sears Liz Chiles, C. Ped. Fred Toenges H & H Shoe Repair MEDICAL ADVISORS Barry Ullman Raleigh, NC Class of 2008 Paul Thomas John Hooper, C.Ped. Craig Young, MD Dick Lavinthal Foot HealthCenter Medical College of Wisconsin Charles A. Roberts Hampton, New Brunswick, Canada Milwaukee, WI Deceased Former Presidents Stuart L. Pressman, C. Ped., CO Class of 2009 Morton Hack Pressman’s Orthotics, Inc. Raymond L. Fritz, DPM William Naythons Pembroke Pines, FL Allentown Family Foot Care, PC Seymour Lefton Allentown, PA Herb Saager Class of 2010 Clyde Edwards Jamie Dick, C. Ped., PT Class of 2010 Carl Riecken Abingdon Therapy Services Allan Grossman, DPM, FACFAS John O. McMahan Abingdon, VA Harrisburg, PA
36 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 2008 Standing Committees These dedicated members are driving the services and information PFA delivers to you. Committees outlined here will be in effect until November 2008.
Council On Pedorthic Education Nomination Committee (Board Ellie Wydeven, Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine Chair: Dane LaFontsee Class Of 2011) Staff: Al Baggett, Lauren Kemp, Brian Lagana Liz Chiles Chair: Jamie Dick Chris Costantini Appointed: Art Smuckler Vasile Faklis Selected by the Membership: Vendor/Manufacturer Committee Mike Forgrave Mark Hooper Chair: Stephen O’Hare, Pedors Shoes Anthony Harlon Jonathan McTague Jeffrey Alaimo, Acor Erick Janisse Francis Weibel Buzz Cutler, Soletech Medical Advisor: Craig Young, MD Staff: Brian Lagana Steven LeBow, FootEfx Staff: Al Baggett, Lauren Kemp Larry Schwartz, Aetrex Worldwide Pedorthic Educators Committee Linda Zender Staff: Brian Lagana Coding/Insurance & Third Party Chair: Rick Sevier, CFS Allied Health Payers Committee Services, Inc. Chair: Randy Stevens Gretchen DiFante, PW Minor CAPE (PFA Representatives) Harlon Compton (Insurance) William F. Faddock, Foot Solutions Corp. Chair: Ray Burdett Allan Grossman (Insurance) Robert S. Schwartz, Eneslow Pedorthic Institute Chris Costantini, Past President Mark Grundman (Coding) Kendrick A. Whitney, Temple University School Harlon Compton, Director Bill Meanwell (Insurance) of Podiatric Medicine Staff: Brian Lagana Rick Ravel(Coding) Jerry D. Wilson, Oklahoma State University – Brett Richey (Coding) Okmulgee Art Smuckler (Coding) Michael Veder (Coding) Staff: Brian Lagana, Ben Petok
Government Affairs Committee Chair: Randy Stevens Alan Barthold Jamie Dick Mark Grundman Kristi Hayes Dane LaFontsee Art Smuckler Michael Veder Staff: Brian Lagana, Ben Petok, Bill Applegate
International Development Committee Chair: Mike Forgrave Alan Darby Staff: Brian Lagana
Marketing/Communications Committee Chair: Kristi Hayes Faith Ballard Alan Barthold Liz Chiles Stuart Pressman Staff: Jay Strother, Greg Akroyd, Brian Lagana, Ben Petok
CURRENT PEDORTHICS •January/February 2008 37 nEW PFA MEMBErS
PFA extends a warm welcome to the following individuals and companies who recently joined the association. Domestic new Mexico California Andres Gallegos, Albuquerque, NM; Z-Coil Footwear
Nancy Elftman, C. Ped., CO, OST, La Verne, CA; Hands north Carolina On Foot, Inc. Rob Zellmer, Hickory, NC; Doctor Specified georgia Gail Posey, Roswell, GA north Dakota Benita Nordenstrom, Fargo, ND; Foot Solutions illinois John P. Cain, Palos Park, IL; Foot Solutions Orland Park rhode island
Massachusetts Richard Westlake, Providence, RI; Independence, LLC John J. Griffin, C. Ped., Green Harbor, MA; Griffin texas Orthopedic Tech Janet Dixon, C.Ped, Grapevine, TX; Healthy Steps DFW/ Minnesota Foot and Ankle Associates Of North Texas Mary Jo Hamilton, C. Ped., Baxter, MN; The Feet People Michael P. Smith, C.Ped, Baxter, MN; The Feet People international Montana China Dennis Roseleip, Billings, MT; Foot Solutions Of Billings Merv Stark, Hong Kong; Pacific Innovations International LTD
38 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 6QR%QXGT OCVGTKCNEQPVQWTU VJGHQQVRTQXKFGU 2QN[5JGNN NCUVKPIEQOHQTVCPF CXCKNCDNGKP KPETGCUGUUJQEM CDUQTRVKQP VJTGGFKHHGTGPV HNGZKDKNKVKGU
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CMS Proposes to Deny Medicare completed training and serves as a BOC facility accreditation on-site surveyor. Payments for Tax-Delinquent Equip- “I will never forget my first orthotic fitting – seeing that we ment Suppliers improve others’ quality of life gave me goosebumps, and I am honored and humbled that my colleagues have now offered The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has me this opportunity to give back,” says Hewlett. “Working proposed new standards for all durable medical equipment with BOC committees has sharpened my sense of the needs suppliers to meet in order to participate in the Medicare and opportunities facing our field. I am eager to use that program, including a requirement that suppliers not have any cumulative experience to help BOC meet the needs of current tax delinquency involving the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) practitioners, as well as those who will be entering our field.” or a state taxing authority. Rosen, who earned his bachelor’s degree in health science “To ensure that Medicare payments are only being made to at the City University of New York, Brooklyn College, has organizations and individuals who have satisfied existing tax also trained at New York University and the Institute of debts, we will have a basis to revoke the billing privileges Rehabilitation Medicine. He is certified in orthotics and of a [durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and prosthetics by BOC, and in orthotics, prosthetics and supplies] supplier, including physicians and non-physician pedorthics by ABC. He has been involved with several BOC practitioners who are also enrolled as a DMEPOS supplier, committees, including as an exam writer, and he has served that has failed to comply with this standard,” according to the as a VPE reviewer since the program’s inception. proposed rule. Referring to what he calls a “passion for our wonderful CMS cited findings by the Government Accountability Office profession and professional organization,” Rosen says he that more than 21,000 providers reimbursed under Medicare plans to use his education and experience to facilitate the Part B owed tax debts totaling more than $1 billion in 2005. growth and advancement of BOC. “I hope to push hard for the inclusion of BOC in OP&P policies set at both federal Similarly, CMS is proposing to revise the Medicare application and state levels, and for the kinds of responsible practice that to require that DMEPOS suppliers certify they do not have an reflect credit on all practitioners.” IRS or state taxing authority delinquency. McLeod and Sevier were both appointed to the BOC Board of The proposed rule was published in the January 25 Federal Directors in 2007. Register. McLeod, who works at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, began her career as a teacher. She was introduced to the pharmacy/DME world as a college student working her BOC Elects Four Board Members way through college; at the time, nearly all fitters were men, so McLeod began helping women with their fittings. She Certificants of the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification knew quickly that she’d found a career she loved. Currently, (BOC) elected two new members to its Board of Directors, she is managing the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center boutique and reaffirmed through the election process, two candidates at Sloan-Kettering, where she works with patients, trains and serving in one-year appointments to full three-year terms on mentors new fitters, and oversees budgeting, purchasing and Jim Hewlett, BOCO, CFO the board. Newly elected are and operations. She earned certification from BOC in 1985 as an Wayne R. Rosen, BOCPO, C.Ped., CPO ; Board members orthotic fitter, then added certification as a mastectomy fitter. Theresa McLeod, COF, elected to new full terms are She serves on BOC’s item-writers committee for mastectomy CMF Rick E. Sevier, B.S. Ed., C.Ped., ROPA, BOC , and exams. Pedorthist . “I am honored to represent the mastectomy fitter speciality Hewlett’s 36 years of experience include marketing/ with pride, knowledge, dedication and experience,” she merchandising, owning a DME/wholesale oxygen company, says, “and I look forward to continuing to work with fellow and operating an O&P facility. After selling his DME practitioners on behalf of a strong and vibrant BOC.” company in 2004, he has since focused on operational oversight of the O&P facility in Yuma, Arizona, where his Sevier, like McLeod, joined the board of directors in 2007. He son Benjiman is head BOCO. Though semi-retired, Hewlett is widely known as an instructor, both in the OP&P program also serves as an orthotic consultant to DME services and at Oklahoma State University (OSU) at Okmulgee, and via O&P practices nationally and is a national account manager CFS Allied Health Education, which specializes in innovative for GreenFlag Recovery. He is certified in orthotics by both distance learning programs for the healthcare community. In BOC and ABC. He is an associate member of the American addition to his educational duties, he also offers pro bono Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists, and a member of patient services through the University’s O&P clinic. the Orthotic & Prosthetic Group of American. In addition, he serves on BOC’s exam-item-writing committee and its orthotists Video Practical Exam (VPE) review panel, and continued on page 42
40 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 AD Page Name: Euro International Pickup: November/December p. 31 Industry News
Sevier holds dual associate degrees in orthotics and directors. “I know they each bring dedication and passion to prosthetics, as well as a bachelor’s degree in education our work, and it’s great to see those qualities harnessed on from OSU. He and his wife Yolanda, who is a licensed behalf of BOC’s certificants.” practical nurse and certified/BOC pedorthist, together own The Comfort Foot Store in Catoosa, OK. Before entering “The Board has outlined a series of goals and initiatives that healthcare and education, Sevier owned his own computer BOC wants to accomplish over the next several years,” says sales/service business and was a full-time faculty CAD BOC president Greg Safko. “I look forward to working with instructor for nearly seven years at the Des Moines Area the Board, helping them build the OP&P community as a Community College’s Advanced Technology Center. group and as individual practitioners.” “I have enjoyed serving in an interim position on the Board, which has allowed me to develop good working relationships with other board members. I am honored to be selected ABC Seeking Nominations for the for a full term, and will do my best to serve BOC and its Board of Directors practitioners in a way that grows and strengthens our field.” BOC offers certification in five practice specialties: The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics orthotics, prosthetics, orthotic fitting, mastectomy fitting, and Pedorthics (ABC) is seeking nominees for two positions and pedorthics. In 2007, BOC created a specialization in on its Board of Directors. Each position entails a four-year footwear, which is a non-credentialed specialty designed to commitment beginning December 1, 2008 help patients meet their footwear needs. In addition, BOC The selected directors will be voting members of the board is one of the 10 deemed providers of facility accreditation, and will participate in overseeing general management of as recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid the organization’s affairs, including policy development, Services. governance and budgetary matters. Nominees for the open “It’s a pleasure to welcome Jim and Wayne to our board, and positions must be ABC certified orthotists, prosthetists or to re-welcome Terry and Rick,” says Teresa Alpert-Leibman, pedorthists with a record of volunteer involvement through BOCO, C.Ped., BOC pedorthist, chair of the board of ABC or the former Board for Certification in Pedorthics (BCP). All submitted nominations will be evaluated by the ABC nominations committee and the ABC board of directors. This selection process follows norms for certification boards and is fully compliant with the standards of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, NCCA. The deadline for submission of nominations is June 1, 2008. For more information or to formally submit a nomination, please contact Tom Derrick at [email protected] or (703) 836-7114, ext. 224.
CMS Sets Long-Awaited Mandatory Accreditation Deadline for DMEPOS Suppliers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that the deadline for all providers of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) (Medicare Part B) to become facility- accredited is September 30, 2009. CMS’ quality standards for suppliers of DMEPOS mandate that pedorthic facilities, along with other DMEPOS providers who bill Medicare or have a National Provider Identification (NPI) or other supplier number, meet the new mandatory accreditation requirement in order to maintain their Medicare billing privileges. In 2006, Medicare announced the 10 deemed credentialing organizations that are available to provide facility accreditation services to the pedorthic community.
42 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 CMS has yet to announce when new DMEPOS providers will need to become accredited, or when providers in the second round of national competitive bidding will have to become available accredited. Providers in the first 10 competitive bidding DECEMBER areas are required to become accredited by September 30, 2009, even if they are not participating in the competitive 2007! bidding program. Beginning January 22, 2008 to assist provides with obtaining accreditation, CMS launched a series of educational teleconferences along with Medlearn Matters articles and other educational resources. The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) required CMS to promulgate regulations mandating all DMEPOS providers to become accredited. Since the legislation was passed, CMS developed the necessary quality supplier standards, but delayed in setting a final implementation deadline. PFA has long supported quality standards for DMEPOS suppliers as a way to provide quality patient care and maintain the integrity of the Medicare benefit.
2008 Foot Solutions C.Ped Training School Schedule
For information about any of these dates or for an application, call Tracy Strickland at (866) 338-2597 or e-mail [email protected].
May May 2 – One-Day Cram Session May 12-17 - ABC/BCP C.Ped Test Dates
July July 25 – One-Day Cram Session
August August 4-9 - ABC/BCP C.Ped Test Dates (Application deadline is June 1, 2008)
October October 31 – One-Day Cram Session
November November 17-22 - ABC/BCP C.Ped Test Dates (Application deadline is September 1, 2008) ■ Think outside the box.Live inside our shoes.
Men’s Advance Athletic Comfort E3230 (800) 225-2192 | [email protected] | www.advancefootwear.com
CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 43 Vendor News
Vasyli International Enters U.S. Market Vasyli International, an international footcare and footwear brand, is launching the Vasyli Medical and Orthaheel brands to the Pedorthic industry in the United States. The foremost “off the shelf” orthotic company in Australia, Asia and the United Kingdom, the company has opened U.S. offices in California. Company representatives report that Vasyli felt it timely to introduce the products to Certified Pedorthists and specialty footwear suppliers. Having run the largest custom orthotic lab in the Southern Hemisphere, and still the largest manufacturer of orthotics there, podiatrist Phillip Vasyli developed the current range of products to help treat more patients than just those requiring a custom-made device. David Fischer, C.Ped., pedorthist and pioneer in modern orthotic technologies, tested the products here in the United States and felt there was a great opportunity to introduce these highly effective and low-cost products to the industry. Fischer joined the Vasyli team as Pedorthic Sales and Marketing Director and will be providing sales and technical support to the pedorthists and footwear suppliers. He felt products like the Dananberg orthotic, designed for patients with 1st Ray conditions due to excess pronation and the Orthaheel sandals with a built-in Vasyli orthotic, were missing from the local market and can be an important addition to many pedorthic and footwear facilities. With many of the products available to both heat mold and quickly post to individual patient needs, the products can provide a fast, effective and low-cost solution for many patients. Best of all, the “average” correction has been built in enabling the product to also be used straight out of the box in many instances. The company has many design patents, awards and clinical studies to support the products and has recently formed a concept called the Vasyli Think Tank. This is a group of leading podiatrists, physical therapists and other practitioners who specialize in lower limb biomechanics. This group will be instrumental in providing education and further product development moving forward. For more information on the products and company, visit www.vasylimedical.com and www.walkpainfree.com . ■
44 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 Pedorthic Educators Directory
A PFA Pedorthic Educators Member exclusive, this directory highlights pedorthic education programs offered by member schools-in-good-standing. Statements about a provider or its services are the responsibility of the company and do not imply endorsement by the Pedorthic Footwear Association or its Board of Directors.
CFS Allied Health Services, Inc. P.W. Minor Contact: Rick Sevier, BS Ed., C. Ped. Contact: Gretchen DiFante, Dennis Janisse 507 W. Denny St., Catoosa, OK 74015 P.O. Box 678 – 3 Treadeasy Ave., Batavia, NY 14020 Phone: (918) 266-3678 Phone: (585) 815-0659; Fax: (585) 343-1514 Fax: (918) 266-1657 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.pwminor.com Website: www.learnpedorthics.com ABC approved Certified Fitter of Therapeutic Shoes course. Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine Online and distance continuing education; CDs and DVDs; Contact: Ellie Wydeven pedorthic exam review CDs. 3333 Green Bay Rd., North Chicago, IL 60064-3095 Phone: (847) 578-8410 Eneslow Pedorthic Institute Fax: (847) 775-6521 E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Robert S. Schwartz, C. Ped. Website: www.rosalindfranklin.edu 470 Park Avenue South @ 32nd St. New York, NY 10016 Phone: (212) 477-2300 or (800) ENESLOW Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine Fax: (212) 353-2876 Contact: Kendrick A. Whitney E-mail: [email protected] 8th & Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Website: www.eneslow.com Phone: (215) 625-5373 E-mail: [email protected] Eneslow Pedorthic Enterprises was founded in 1926 to Website: www.tmspm.temple.edu serve the medical community and public by providing footwear and related devices to prevent and relieve painful and debilitating conditions that are managed at the foot and lower extremity. The Eneslow Pedorthic Institute (EPI) was created in 1995 to enhance the pedorthic profession and offer pedorthic education and training to healthcare professionals and the public. EPI is headed by Justin Wernick, DPM, CPED, Medical Director, and Robert S. Schwartz, CPED, Managing Director and includes a multi-disciplinary faculty.
Foot Solutions Corp. Pedorthic Training Center Contact: William F. Faddock, DPM, C. Ped. 1730 Cumberland Dr., Ste. 5, Marietta, GA 30060 Phone: (866) 338-2597 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.footsolutions.com
Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee Contact: Jerry D. Wilson, C. Ped. 1801 E. 4th St., Okmulgee, OK 74447-3901 Phone: (918) 293-5330 Fax: (918) 293-4603 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.osu-okmulgee.edu OSU offers both traditional classroom based classes as well as internet based distance learning classes at home.
CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 45 Pedorthic Industry events
APRIL 2008 UPON REQUEST Eneslow Pedorthic Institute April 1-25 470 Park Avenue South @ 32nd Street, New York, NY Online Pre-Certification in Pedorthics: Level 1 Training and Tutoring Program, Individual and Small Groups Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL Contact Sarah Goldberg, (212) 477-2300 ext 211 or [email protected]. Ellie Wydeven, (847) 578-8410 [email protected]; www.rosalindfranklin.edu/scpm/ce COURSES Robert M. Palmer M.D., Institute of Biomechanics April 4 - 6 1601 Main St., Elwood, IN Pedorthic Association of Canada Courses providing pedorthic education for the retail, clinical 2008 Symposium - The Cycle of Pedorthic Care: Just Another Day in the Office or biomechanical knowledge seeking pedorthist. Also Ottowa Congress Centre, Ottowa, Ontario, Canada offering traveling courses to your area. Course dates for Contact PAC at (888) 268-4404 Levels 1-3 in a variety of locations in the United States, Hong Kong, Mainland China and Korea are available. April 27 - May 3 Contact Pam Haig, (765) 557-7216; pam@ pedorthicbiomechanics.org; Dr. Comfort www.pedorthicbiomechanics.org Pedorthics for Professionals (for those with prior medical knowledge) Dr. Comfort World Headquarters, Mequon, WI CFS Allied Health Education Contact Brian O’Reilly, C. Ped., at (800) 556-5572, or Pedorthic Certification: Exam Review e-mail [email protected] This program focuses on supplying the student with the skills and knowledge needed to pass the ABC Certified April 28-May 17, 2008 Pedorthic exam by presenting exam-like questions, exploring possible answers, and discussing rationales for Pre-Certification in Pedorthics: Level 2 correct and incorrect answers. Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin Phone: (918) 266-3678 or visit www.LearnPedorthics.com University, North Chicago, IL for additional information. Ellie Wydeven,(847) 578-8410 [email protected]; www.rosalindfranklin.edu/scpm/ce Oklahoma State University Courses providing pedorthic education for the retail, clinical or biomechanical oriented individual. MAY 2008 Contact: Jerry Wilson, (918) 293-5330, or Andrea May 2 Autaubo, (918) 293-5330, or visit www.osu-okmulgee.edu. Foot Solutions, Marietta, GA Scholl College at Rosalind Franklin University Pedorthic pre-certification course One Day Cram Session Contact: Ellie Wydeven, Special Programs Office, (847) Contact Tracy Strickland, (866) 338-2597, ext. 206; Betty Hubauer, (866) 578-8410, [email protected], or visit 338-2597, ext. 201; or, Dr. William Faddock, (866) 338-2597, ext. 209 www.rosalindfranklin.edu/scpm/ce May 7 - 20 MONTHLY Dr. Comfort Riecken’s Orthotic Labs Level 3 Pedorthics (no prior medical knowledge needed) 5115 Oak Grove Rd., Evansville, Ind. SAFIO Class, second Dr. Comfort World Headquarters, Mequon, WI Friday of every month. Four casting stands provided, Contact Brian O’Reilly, C. Ped., at (800) 556-5572, limited to eight students. or e-mail [email protected] For more information, contact Darlene at 800-331-8040. May 12 – 17 American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Alexandria, VA C. Ped. Testing Dates (application deadline is March 1, 2008) Visit www.abcopp.org May 15 - 17 Pedorthic Footwear Association AFO/SCFO Course Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA Contact Lauren Kemp at PFA on (202) 367-1145, or e-mail info@ pedorthics.org
46 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 May 16 - 17 August 3 - 9 Pedorthic Footwear Association Dr. Comfort Cadaver-based Anatomy Review Course Pedorthics for Professionals (for those with prior medical knowledge) Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA Dr. Comfort World Headquarters, Mequon, WI Contact Lauren Kemp at PFA on (202) 367-1145, Contact Brian O’Reilly, C. Ped., at (800) 556-5572, or e-mail [email protected] or e-mail [email protected] May 17 August 4 – 9 Pedorthic Footwear Association American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Sports Medicine & Injury Course, Indianapolis, IN Pedorthics, Alexandria, VA Contact Lauren Kemp at PFA on (202) 367-1145, C. Ped. Testing Dates (application deadline is March 1, 2008) or e-mail [email protected] Visit www.abcopp.org May 23 - 24 August 12 - 25 Dr. Comfort Dr. Comfort Continuing Pedorthic Education - Advanced Orthosis to include CAD Level 3 Pedorthics (no prior medical knowledge needed) (12 education points) Dr. Comfort World Headquarters, Mequon, WI Dr. Comfort World Headquarters, Mequon, WI Contact Brian O’Reilly, C. Ped., at (800) 556-5572, Contact Brian O’Reilly, C. Ped., at (800) 556-5572, or e-mail [email protected] or e-mail [email protected] August 29 - 30 JUNE 2008 Dr. Comfort Continuing Pedorthic Education - Advanced Orthosis to include CAD June 7 (12 education points) Pedorthic Footwear Association Dr. Comfort World Headquarters, Mequon, WI Advanced Shoe Fitting, San Diego, CA Contact Brian O’Reilly, C. Ped., at (800) 556-5572, Contact Lauren Kemp at PFA on (202) 367-1145, or e-mail [email protected] or e-mail [email protected] OCTOBER 2008 June 21 Pedorthic Footwear Association October 31 Reading Foot and Ankle X-Rays Foot Solutions, Marietta, GA Medical School of Wisconsin/School of Sports Medicine, Milwaukee, WI One Day Cram Session Contact Lauren Kemp at PFA on (202) 367-1145, Contact Tracy Strickland, (866) 338-2597, ext. 206; Betty Hubauer, (866) or e-mail [email protected] 338-2597, ext. 201; or, Dr. William Faddock, (866) 338-2597, ext. 209 JULY 2008 NOVEMBER 2008 July 7 - 18 November 6 - 9 Foot Solutions, Marietta, GA Pedorthic Footwear Association Pedorthic Pretest Training Program The Golden Age: Foot Health and Wellness for Life Contact Tracy Strickland, (866) 338-2597, ext. 206; Betty Hubauer, (866) 50th Annual Symposium & Exhibition 338-2597, ext. 201; or, Dr. William Faddock, (866) 338-2597, ext. 209 Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Nashville, TN July 25 Contact: (202) 367-1145; [email protected]; www.pedorthics.org Foot Solutions, Marietta, GA November 17 - 22 One Day Cram Session American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Contact Tracy Strickland, (866) 338-2597, ext. 206; Betty Hubauer, (866) Pedorthics, Alexandria, VA 338-2597, ext. 201; or, Dr. William Faddock, (866) 338-2597, ext. 209 C. Ped. Testing Dates (application deadline is March 1, 2008) Visit www.abcopp.org AUGUST 2008 August 1 - 2 Pedorthic Footwear Association Pediatric Pedorthics Course Northwestern University, N. Chicago, IL Contact Lauren Kemp at PFA on (202) 367-1145, or e-mail [email protected]
CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 47 Resource Center
From coding and billing to Medicare compliance to the art of patient management, PFA has your interests covered. To order any of the new titles or the many classic publications already offered through the Resource Center, visit PFA’s Web site, www.pedorthics.org, and click on the Resource Center button. Alternatively, you may request a 2007 catalogue and order form by calling PFA Headquarters at 202-367-1145. The Foot and Ankle in Rheumatoid Arthritis This publication emphasizes a practical and evidence-based approach to the foot and ankle in rheumatoid arthritis in a concise, up-to-date and well illustrated book. The team of authors consists of rheumatologists and podiatrists based at the highly respected Foot and Ankle Studies in Rheumatology (FASTER) program. Contributors included both surgeons and orthotists. A companion DVD contains many video clips of examination and injection techniques and gait analyses, additional downloadable images, assessment tools and an interactive injection resource. By Philip Helliwell, PhD., James Woodburn, PhD., MPhil., BSc., MRC; Anthony Redmond, PhD., MSc., Deborah Turner, BSc, SRCh., and Heidi Davys, MSc, BSc. The hard cover book is 180 pages. Cost is $75 for PFA members and $125 for nonmembers.
HCPCS 2007 Spiral Binding Maximize your Medicare reimbursement by using the most current HCPCS Level II codes. These codes must be used to bill Medicare for supplies, materials, DME and other services. This edition includes thumb indexing, lay-flat spiral binding and color coding to make coding faster and easier. Cost is $70 for PFA members and $90 for nonmembers.
Reimbursement Manual for the Medical Office This is the fifth edition guide to coding, billing and fee schedule management. From terminology, coding and E/M documentation to fee schedule review, superbill design and HIPAA, this book covers every step of the reimbursement process. Cost is $60 for PFA members and $75 for nonmembers.
Medicare Rules and Regulations 2008 This comprehensive annual compilation of Medicare rules and regulations will help you manage your practice. Material from the official Medicare Carriers Manual is reviewed, revised and supplemented by coding and reimbursement experts. Cost is $70 for PFA members and $85 for nonmembers.
Medical Practice Forms – Every Form You Need to‑Succeed Good records help protect your practice from audit liability. Keeping good records requires well-designed forms. The completely revised third edition of this publication includes over 130 ready-to-use forms for your practice. Forms cover all areas of medical practice, including clinical, administrative, financial, managed care, insurance, marketing, personnel and systems. Blank forms are easily removed for copying. The book also includes a CD so users can customize any form to meet specific needs. Cost is $60 for PFA members and $75 for nonmembers.
48 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 Medicare Compliance Manual 2008 This 900-page manual is packed with the information you need to maximize your Medicare reimbursement and protect yourself from audit liability. Formatted in a ring-binder with tabbed indexes, this edition is divided into four sections – Medicare Rules and Regulations 2007, Medicare Fee Schedule 2007, Medicare Coverage Issues Manual and Medicare E/M Documentation Guidelines. Cost is $155 for PFA members and $185 for nonmembers.
Getting Paid for What You Do – Coding for Optimal Reimbursement This is a completely revised fourth edition of this best-selling guide to reimbursement by Gary Knaus. Knaus is known as the father of the coding and reimbursement publishing industry and knows more about coding, billing and reimbursement than anyone else in the country. Tens of thousands of copies of this book have been used to code more accurately, file claims properly, and get paid faster. It is a must have for your practice management library. Cost is $60 for PFA members and $75 for nonmembers.
Accounts Receivable Management for the Medical Practice Do you do a great job of coding and billing for your services, only to have a significant portion of your revenues leak away during the collection process? Maybe it’s time to take a hard look at your accounts receivable management. This comprehensive guide takes you step-by-step through the process of analyzing your current receivables and then teaches you how to improve and maintain you’re A/R management. Cost is $60 for PFA members and $75 for nonmembers.
HIPAA Compliance Manual (2nd Ed.) This popular reference book brings all of the HIPAA rules, regulations, policies and procedures completely up to date. Includes an extensive glossary, introduction and detailed information regarding all of the HIPAA regulations. Cost is $100 for PFA members and $125 for nonmembers.
Behavioral Types and the Art of Patient Management The physician-patient relationship can have a great impact on the quality of medical care. Every patient encounter is affected by the personality characteristics of the patient, the physician and even the practice itself. This book teaches a new and innovative approach to medical excellence, quality assurance and risk management. It will helps readers develop skills to create high levels of trust with even the most difficult of patients. Cost is $60 for PFA members and $75 for nonmembers.
CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 49 Resource Center
Useful Web Sites for Pedorthists
Government Entities/Reimbursement/Coding/Billing www.acsm.org American College of Sports Medicine www.cms.hhs.gov Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) www.diabetes.org American Diabetes Association (ADA) www.medicarenhic.com National Heritage Insurance Company Jurisdiction A DME MAC www.aofas.org CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI and VT American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) www.administar.com www.aopanet.org AdminiStar Federal Jurisdiction B DME MAC American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, OH, WI - (temporarily WV and VA) www.apma.org www.cignagovernmentservices.com American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Cigna Government Services Jurisdiction C DME MAC AL, AR, CO, FL, GA, LA, MS, NM, NC, OK, PR, SC, TN, TX VI www.apta.org American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) www.noridianmedicare.com/dme/index.html Noridian Administrative Services LLC Jurisdiction D DME MAC www.amputee-coalition.org AL, American Samoa, AZ, CA, Guam, HI, ID, IA, KS, MO, MT, Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) NE, NV, ND, Northern Mariana Islands, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY www.bocusa.org www3.palmettogba.com/dmecs/jsp/index.jsp Board for Orthotic/Prosthetic Certification (BOC) Durable Medical Equipment Coding System (DMECS) www.charcot-marie-tooth.org Online coding assistance from SADMERC Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA) www.palmettogba.com www.nata.org Statistical Analysis Durable Medical Equipment Regional National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Carrier (SADMERC) www.pedorthic.ca www.palmettogba.com Pedorthic Association of Canada (PAC) National Supplier Clearinghouse www.twoten.org Two Ten International Footwear Foundation Links to Allied Health Organizations www.wocn.org www.aadenet.org Wound Ostomy & Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) www.oandp.org Professional Publications American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (AAOP) www.biomech.com www.aapmr.org Biomechanics American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AAPMR) www.footwearnews.com Footwear News www.aaos.org American Academy Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) www.aopanet.org O&P Almanac www.abcop.org American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association American Board for Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc. (ABC) www.oandpbiznews.com O&P Business News www.amerchiro.org American Chiropractic Association (ACA) www.acfas.org American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)
50 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 TM Premiere Comfort Footwear Co. Shoes & Inserts Comply with Medicare Requirements
9205 Black 9205 Angel White
Light! Extremely Light! 7 Ounces per shoe! Solid EVA Sole. NO KIDDING.
9205 Jade Green 9205 Ruby Red
Genuine Calf Leather! Soft as silk!
9205 Navy Blue 9205 Gray
More Widths: D(W); 3E(WW); 5E(XW), extended last widths and depths on each size.
9205 Brown 9205 Sky Blue
Sized to fit: 5, 5.5-to-10.5, 11. True American Last Sizes; Use generic Ritz® stick or Brannock® device to measure. NO GUESSING!
Apis Footwear Co. 2239 Tyler Ave. S. El Monte, CA 91733 Tel: 1-888-937-2747 Fax: 1-888-990-2245 www.bignwideshoes.com Pedorthic marketplace
Southern New England Pedorthist C. Ped. Wanted C. Peds. Wanted Opportunities… Brownfield’s Prosthetic and Orthotic Technologies is We have an excellent opportunity for Certified Independence HomeHealthWares is a leader in currently interviewing for a Certified Pedorthist. Our Pedorthists passionate about patient care. We the DMEPOS field located in Providence, Rhode company employs energetic, self-motivated, detail provide services and products to patients at clinics Island. Recent program expansion has created oriented individuals who take pride in being team where they receive medical treatment. Seeking the following openings: players. Brownfield’s is a well-established, fast- energetic, motivated professional individuals to paced, full service facility that will be opening a join the team. The C. Ped. provides excellent service • Pedorthic Footwear Program Manager second state-of-the-art location in late 2008. to patients by executing the company’s programs • Pedorthic Footwear Salesperson in a positive, effective and clinical manner. All The Treasure Valley area is an attractive, growing, paperwork, billing, appointments and administrative Join a team of self starters who enjoy the freedom family-oriented community only minutes away work completed at corporate office, allowing the to express their creativity, while meeting the needs from areas that offer great outdoor recreational C. Ped. to focus on patient care and to practice of referral sources and customers at the highest activities. Boise is home to Hewlett-Packard, their expertise of pedorthics. Requirements include level. Independence enjoys an excellent reputation, Micron, The Morrison Performing Arts Center and significant experience with the care and fitting of and we seek others who can contribute to our solid Boise State Broncos. the diabetic foot, excellent interpersonal skills, high program. Independence employees enjoy: Comprehensive benefits include health, dental, level of organization, motivated and willingness to • Competitive salary and commissions vision, short-term disability insurances, Simple travel (all expenses paid). Full time and part time positions available. Locations: Atlanta, San Francisco, • Fully funded health insurance IRA Plan, paid vacation, sick time, holidays and career development. Please contact or send Pittsburgh and Orlando. Competitive base salary, • 401(k) including company contributions resume to: Tom Padilla, CPO, 122 N. 5th St., bonus plan, health insurance, paid holidays, paid • Flexible hours Boise, ID 83702; (208) 342-4659, phone; (208) time off, and continuing education reimbursement. 342-8211, fax; or [email protected]. Send resume or for additional information contact Please email your resume and salary requirements to [email protected]; fax (310) [email protected] 330-0552. Pedorthist/Manager Wanted Therapeutic Shoe Fitting Foot Solutions, LLC of Madison, Wisconsin is hiring an experienced pedorthist/manager and Certified Pedorthist – Per diem in New York Area. Excellent way to shoe fitter to join a brand new store opening soon. Connecticut supplement your income. Work independently No evening hours or Sundays. Foot Solutions is a Growing healthcare services company has an on your on schedule. Must be a C. Ped. or other rapidly growing chain of foot care specialty stores immediate opening for an experienced Certified recognized shoe fitter. In home shoe fittings. using the latest CAD/CAM technology to scan feet. Pedorthist. Candidates must be able to work closely GenCare Systems Inc. Send resume and cover Contact: Lisa D. Rubrich, M.S., C.O., MAE Health, with podiatrists and possess strong professional skills. letter: [email protected] or Fax: (631) Inc., 3480 Whytecliff Way, Sun Prairie, WI 53590; Position includes travel to various long term care 544-4448 (608) 834-6112, phone; or [email protected] facilities. We offer a well established patient base and a competitive compensation package. If interested, please call Maria at (877) 724-4410, e-mail your Pedorthist/Manager Wanted Pedorthist Wanted resume to [email protected], or fax resume to Foot Solutions of Orland Park, IL is hiring an New Jersey established multiple location (866) 657-5400. experienced pedorthist/manager and shoe fitter orthotic and prosthetic company is seeking a to join a brand new store opening April 1, 2008. pedorthist. Candidate must have strong patient Excellent remuneration for top candidate. No care attributes and knowledge of custom and C. Ped. Wanted evening hours or Sundays. Foot Solutions is a orthopedic shoes. Contact Anthony Minelli - fax The Sports Medicine Store/Metro Walk and Run in global market leading foot care specialty retail resume (609) 393-5924. Scottsdale Arizona is seeking a Certified Pedorthist chain using proprietary processes and technology for a full time lab/sales position. Responsibilities that bring value to our clients and medical include measurement and fabrication of custom profession partners. Contact: John Cain / Owner - Certified Pedorthists Wanted and pre fabricated orthotics, sportsmedicine/ [email protected] (312) 343-6267 Advantage DME, a national provider of DME, is orthopedic product sales to retail and referral seeking to contract with certified pedorthists customers, general management in terms of ordering and receiving product and related Seeking a Professional throughout the U.S. to complete therapeutic/ diabetic shoe assessments and fittings on a store management issues. Individual must be Adventure? Become a DMEPOS “per patient fee basis” to our long term care outgoing and enthusiastic. Experience with Amfit Surveyor. customer base. Travel to various long term care measurement and milling unit a plus as well as Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation facilities required. Generous compensation, flexible involvement with running communities. Please send Facilities (CARF), one of the accreditation scheduling, and minimal paperwork requirements. resume to: [email protected] authorities deemed by CMS to accredit DMEPOS, Locations include TX (multiple locations), NV, MO is seeking pedorthists to join its growing ranks of and New Mexico. Please e-mail resume to jeff. a variety of experienced DMEPOS professionals to [email protected] or fax to (813) 662-5388. For Therapeutic Shoe Fitting become DMEPOS surveyors. Pedorthists who are additional information, phone (800) 798-1191, Per diem in New York City and surrounding interested in expanding their professional skills by ext. 6025. area, and Broward County, FL. Excellent way to conducting onsite surveys are encouraged to apply. supplement your income. Work independently For more information on becoming a surveyor and on your schedule. Must be a C. Ped., or other to apply, visit www.carf.org/surveyordmepos or recognized shoe fitter. Multiple fittings in one talk with a DMEPOS Resource Specialist by calling location. InStride Shoes, LLC. Send resume and (888) 281-6531, ext. 154. cover letter to [email protected], or fax to (908) 359-7434.
52 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 Eastern Pennsylvania – Seeking Pedorthist – Own Your Own to Hire Business Pedorthist wanted for a full time position in our Shoe store for sale in sunny Florida, close to Wyomissing, PA office. We are a well established five Medicare diabetic shoe provider selling orthopedic location O & P business. Come join the team of twelve shoes as well as other top name brands. Four professionals to serve the eastern Pennsylvania years old with a great customer base. Asking patient population. We work in several hospitals, $197,000 including inventory. Call John Brogan wound centers and therapy departments throughout with Acquisition Experts, LLC, (772) 220-4455. our region. This is a great opportunity to join a large team of professionals, office and technical support staff. We offer a competitive salary, 401(k) and Pedorthic Practice for Sale benefit package. Send all resumes to the attention Central states location owned and operated by of Bob Toth, C. Ped., C/O Boas Surgical, fax: (484) C. Ped. Twelve-year referral base. Pediatric and 895-0350; e-mail: [email protected], or call adult patients. Physicians per capita – 303.3. (610) 972-1920. Growing community – state university. Contact [email protected], or call (785) 625-3529. Visit www.pedorthicspecialists.com. C. Ped. Wanted C.Ped. needed at owner-operated comfort store. Stable customer base, friendly environment. At Classified Rates the Jersey Shore. Opportunity for growth. Contact [email protected]. Words Member Non- Member 50 or fewer words $25 $45 51-75 words $45 $65 76-150 words $65 $125
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CURRENT PEDORTHICS • January/February 2008 53 The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedothics
Our mission is to establish and promote the highest standards of professionalism and patient care in the delivery of orthotics, prosthetics and pedorthic services.
We’re proud of this mission, and proud to serve the pedorthic community. Stand tall with fellow Certified Pedorthists by having your pedorthic practice ABC accredited.
ABC Accreditation
COMPREHENSIVE PEDORTHICS
330 John Carlyle St., Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314 T: 703-836-7114 F: 703-836-0838 www.abcop.org Product Reference Guide
This reference guide is intended solely to make it easier for individuals, facilities and companies to locate pedorthic products. Companies listed in the guide are PFA vendor/manufacturer members. Companies may produce additional products beyond those listed, and most companies are pleased to provide additional information on request. As a courtesy to our readers, CP has noted the year the company joined PFA in parentheses after the company’s name. Inclusion in this list does not suggest or imply PFA endorsement of companies or products. For space reasons, company product descriptions are limited to 20 words or less. To‑arrange changes in your company’s listing, e-mail [email protected].
AGS Footwear Group (1995) Apis Footwear Company (2000) Branier Orthopedic Custom Molded Shoes (2004) Shoe store supplies, fabricating materials, prefabricated Women’s footwear, 103 sizes; men’s footwear, 98 sizes. Open Catalogue contains over 40 styles. Can duplicate any shoe on orthotics, heel cups and forefoot supports. stock for immediate delivery. the market. 12-day turnaround, great fit! Ashland, VA...... 800-446-3820 S. El Monte, CA...... 888-937-2747 Sunrise, FL...... 877-524-0639 Fax...... 800-822-0180 Fax...... 626-448-8783 Fax...... 954-727-2688. E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.agsfootweargroup.com. Web site...... www.bignwideshoes.com Web site...... www.branier.com
Acor (1979) Arizona AFO, Inc. (2003) Brooks Sports, Inc. (2001) Custom and comfort footwear, inserts and materials. Central fabrication facility specializing in custom-made Originator of Tri-Lam and P-Cell. leather ankle gauntlets. Walking/athletic shoes in women’s and men’s styles. Delivery includes special orders. Cleveland, OH...... 800-237-2267 Mesa, AZ ...... 480-461-1940 Fax...... 216-662-4547 Fax...... 480-461-5187 Bothell, WA...... 800-2-BROOKS E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] Fax...... 425-483-8181 Web site...... www.acor.com Web site...... www.arizonaafo.com. E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.brooksrunning.com Aetrex Worldwide, Inc. (formerly Apex Foot Atlantic Footcare (2007) Health Industries, Inc.) (1973) Prothotics prefabricated Therapeutic and Diasole Cascade Orthopedic Supply, Inc. (2000) polyurethane insoles are SADMERC coded and made in the Ready-made triple-density orthotics offering rearfoot posting Foot care products, including shoes, inserts, foot orthotics, USA. The Therapeutic is also available in anatomical and & metatarsal support options. socks, tools and supplies. All in-stock items ship same day wide versions. Teaneck, NJ...... 800-526-2739 with overnight delivery. N. Smithfield, RI ...... 401-765-8600 Fax...... 201-833-1485 Chico, CA ...... 800-888-0865 Fax...... 401-766-5327 E-mail ...... [email protected] Fax...... 800-847-9180 E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.aetrex.com. E-mai...... [email protected] Web site...... www.cascade-usa.com Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. (1998) Atlas International (1994) For pedorthic needs. Complete range of materials, prefabs Affinity Insurance Services administers the PFA product and tools. Chaco, Inc. (2004) and malpractice liability insurance program. Designed for Paonia, CO...... 970-527-4990 pedorthists, insurance protection can be customized for Rancho Cordova, CA...... 800-545-6287 Fax...... 970-527-4997 each‑PFA member. Fax...... 916-858-3320 E-mail ...... [email protected] Chicago, IL...... 800-544-2672 Web site...... www.atlasortho.com. Fax...... 312-922-9321 C.N. Waterhouse Leather Co., Inc. (1998) Manufacturer and distributor of fine leathers, woolskins, Alden Shoe Company (1969) Bintz Company, Inc. (1991) suede pig-skins, sheet goods and adhesives for use in the Sheet goods, inlays, and related products. pedorthic footwear and orthopedic industries. Goodyear welt construction footwear for men. Wheaton, IL...... 800-235-8458 Bedford, MA...... 800-322-1177 Middleborough, MA...... 508-947-3926 Fax...... 630-653-5077 Fax...... 508-947-7753 Fax...... 781-271-0499 E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.bintzco.com. AliMed, Inc. (2004) Colonial Shoe Company, Inc. (2003) Orthopedic products including orthoses and orthotic Biomechanical Services Inc. (2004) materials, orthopedic supports, walkers and shoes, Atlanta, GA ...... 800-678-7463 Custom foot orthotics as well as lower extremity evaluation therapeutic modalities, diabetic footwear and more. Fax...... 404-691-7663 systems, custom sandals, prefabs, balance therapy tools and Dedham, MA...... 800-225-2610 educational courses. Technical support services. Fax...... 800-437-2966 Brea, CA...... 800-942-2272 Dansko, Inc. (2007) E-mail ...... [email protected] Fax...... 714-990-4060 Every day we strive to make your world a little easier by Web site...... www.alimed.com E-mail ...... [email protected] providing state of the art comfort footwear. From innovative Web site...... www.biomechanical.com designs to retailer training, your comfort is our first concern. American Shoe Corporation (2003) We realize you lead an active life, and Dansko shoes are Custom shoe company. Complete lines for diabetic, arthritic Birkenstock Distribution USA, Inc. (1981) constructed with that thought in mind. Our footwear is an and geriatric patients. 15-day manufacturing time and fully Birkenstock Distribution USA, Inc. is the exclusive U.S. investment in your well-being. Styles may change, but our guaranteed fit and finish on each pair. importer, distributor and marketer of Birkenstock brand philosophy remains the same. Bedford Hill, NY...... 914-241-0422 footwear. We believe that comfortable, supportive footwear West Grove, PA ...... 610-869-8335 Fax...... 914-241-1974 leads to personal happiness and overall wellbeing. This belief Fax...... 610-869-5764 E-mail ...... [email protected] is why our products are designed around the concept that the E-mail ...... [email protected] shape of the shoe should follow the shape of the foot. Amfit Inc. (1996) Novato, CA ...... 800-949-7301 DB Shoes Ltd. (2003) Footfax-SL 3D Contact Digitizer, Footprinter Foam Casting Fax...... 415-209-4955 System, precision CAD/CAM Carving Mill, accommodative E-mail ...... [email protected] Manufacturers of PU direct injection moulded footwear in and functional custom foot orthoses and orthotic sandals. Web site...... www.birkenstockusa.com. EE, 4E and 6E fittings, all with removable socks. Vancouver, WA...... 800-356-3668 Rushden, Norhamptonshire, England. 00 44 1933 359217 Fax...... 360-566-1380 BITE, LLC Footwear (2005) Fax...... 00 . 44 1933 410218 E-mail ...... [email protected] Redmond, WA...... 206-957-7900 E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.amfit.com. Fax...... 206-957-7901 Web site...... www.dbshoes.co.uk
CURRENT PEDORTHICS • November/December 2007 55 Product Reference Guide
Dr. 2 Shoes, Inc. (2006) Finn Comfort (1993) InStride Shoes (2003) Dr. 2 Shoes manufactures, warehouses and distributes the Luxury comfort footwear. Men’s and women’s walking InStride is a manufacturer of Medicare reimbursable, finest quality extra-depth shoes for diabetics or patients shoes, sandals and boots featuring removable/modifiable multiple width footwear for diabetics that features the three who‑need quality comfort shoes. Dr. 2 Shoes has one of the orthopedic footbeds. Hand-crafted in Germany. layer Custom Fit System. largest selections given A5500 for Medicare’s Therapeutic Thousand Oaks, CA...... 805-375-0038. Hillsborough, NJ ...... 866-9-MY-FEET Diabetic Shoe Bill. Also offers insoles, gel silicone footcare Fax...... 805-375-0848 Fax...... 908-359-7434 products, ankle support products and diabetic inserts. E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] Hillsborough, NC...... 919-644-2288 Web site...... www.finncomfort.de. Web site...... www.instrideshoes.com Fax...... 919-644-2289 Foot Efx Wholesale Foot Care J.H. Cook & Sons, Inc. (2004) Dr. Comfort (2004) Products‑LLC‑(2003) Shoe Modification Components, Foot Comfort Products and Dr. Comfort manufactures, warehouses and distributes the Arch support, diabetic inserts, diabetic shoes and comfort shoes. Shoe Repair Supplies. Products from Aetrex, Spenco, Vibram finest quality extra-depth shoes for diabetics or patients who and Soletech. need quality comfort shoes. Las Vegas, NV...... 702-259-0955 Fax...... 702-258-6544 Granite Quarry, NC...... 704-279-5568 Mequon, WI...... 262-242-5300. E-mail ...... [email protected] Fax...... 704-279-5261. Fax...... 262-242-9300 Web site...... www.footefx.com E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.drcomfortdpm.com JMS Plastics Supply, Inc. (1990) Foot Management, Inc. (1984) Plastic sheet materials for fabricating and cushioning foot Manufacturer of custom orthotics. Also carries foam orthotics. Dr. Kong Footcare Limited (2005) impression trays, footpads, insoles, felt, foam and mole skin. Manufacturer of children’s, men’s and women’s healthy Neptune, NJ...... 800-342-2602 shoes, insoles, footcare accessories and computerized Pittsville, MD...... 410-835-3668 Fax...... 732-918-8499 assessment software. 33 chain shoe shops in Hong Kong. Fax...... 410-835-8966 E-mail ...... [email protected] Provides check and fit services and healthy products for E-mail ...... [email protected] Web...... www.jmsplastics.com everybody. Web site...... www.footmanagement.com Kwai Chung, N.T., Hong Kong . . . . . 852-2744-2638 Jerry Miller I.D. Shoes, Inc. (1977) Foot Solutions, Inc. (2004) Fax...... 852-2744-8845. Orthopedic, custom molded footwear. E-mail ...... [email protected] Marietta, GA...... 770-955-0099 Buffalo, NY...... 800-435-0065 Web site...... www.dr-kong.footcare.com.hk Fax...... 770-953-6270 Fax...... 716-881-0349 Frankford Leather Company, Inc. (1997) Dr. Zen, Inc. (2002) Joseph H. Deacon Company (2000) Manufacturer of therapeutic shoes made in leather, suede Diabetic seamfree socks, foot comfort products, shoes, shoe Shoe modification and lab supplies. Same-day shipping. and lycra modification/shoe repair supplies, foam impression kits, specialty adhesives and more. Same-day shipping. Products from Apex, Cherry Hill, NJ...... 800-355-7463 Sanford, FL ...... 407-688-2860 Soletech, Vibram, EVA, Sher, Dryz, etc. Catalogs available. Fax...... 407-688-2864 Fax...... 856-667-0665 E-mail ...... [email protected] Bensalem, PA...... 800-245-5555 E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.drzen.net Fax...... 215-244-4411 E-mail ...... [email protected] Justin Blair & Company (2001) Web site...... www.frankfordleather.com Drew Shoe Corporation (1968) Manufacturer of Ralyn Shoe Care and Backroom Supplies Men’s and women’s depth and comfort footwear in over and NightCare Foot Care. Distributor for Aetrex, Acor, 150 sizes. Gateway Shoe Machine, Inc. (2003) Darco, Herbal Concepts, Pedifix, Swede-O, Silipos and Lebanon, IL...... 800-752-7897 Therafirm. Lancaster, OH ...... 800-837-3739 Fax...... 618-537-4131 Chicago, IL...... 800-566-0664 Fax...... 740-654-4979 E-mail ...... [email protected] Fax...... 773-523-3639 E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.orthopedicmachines.com Web site...... www.drewshoe.com E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.justinblairco.com. Gerda Hoehm/Haflinger (2006) DUREA (2007) New York, NY ...... 212-949-6767 Woman’s comfort footwear, multiple widths. Simply the best Fax...... 212-949-8833 KLM Laboratories (2006) walking shoes in the world. Valencia, CA...... 800-556-3668 Fax...... 800-556-3338 Ridgefield, NJ...... 201-522-9791 Guard Industries, Inc. (1996) Email...... [email protected] Fax...... 201-840-6742 Components for shoe care, foot comfort, orthotics and E-mail ...... [email protected] prosthetics. Complete listing of available products will be sent upon request. Klogs-USA (2007) Sullivan, MO...... 573-468-5564 ESKO Orthopedic Specialties (1986) St. Louis, MO...... 800-535-3508 Fax...... 573-468-5560 Distributor for major manufacturers of pedorthic & shoe Fax...... 314-534-0035 E-mail ...... [email protected] store supplies. E-mail ...... [email protected] Austin, TX...... 800-252-2739, ext. 18 Web site ...... www.guardmfg.com Fax...... 512-837-3597 Kumfs Shoes N.Z., Ltd. (1998) E-mail ...... [email protected] Hapad, Inc. (1988) Quality, thoughtfully designed shoes and sandals. Orthotics Wool felt foot products and sports replacement insoles. friendly with specialist designed removable contoured footbeds. Euro International, Inc. (1997) Bethel Park, PA...... 800-544-2723 Preformed insoles, diabetic shoes and materials in different Fax...... 800-232-9427 El Dorado Hills, CA ...... 530-676-9960 hardnesses, especially for diabetics. E-mai...... [email protected]. Fax ...... 530-676-9965 E-mail ...... [email protected] Tampa, FL...... 800-378-2480 Web site...... www.hapad.com. Web Site ...... www.kumfs.com Fax...... 813-246-5998 E-mail ...... [email protected] The Home Foot Care Company (2005) Web site...... www.eurointl.com Hot and cold rolling foot massage device for the treatment of L’s Wear NY, Inc. (2005) foot pain. Dr. Scholl didn’t invent this, but his nephew did. European comfort socks and hosiery. Feels Good Footwear (2006) Mt. Vernon, IN...... 877-765-3338 Commack, NY...... 631-858-9500 Brookfield, CT...... 203-740-8504 Fax...... 812-254-0523 Fax...... 631-858-9449 Fax...... 203-740-8503 E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] Email...... [email protected] Web site...... www.thatfootthing.com Web site...... www.kunertusa.com.
56 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • November/December 2007
Product Reference Guide
Landesman Bros., Inc. (2003) Natural Step (2004) Pepper Gate Footwear, Inc. (2006) Distributors of foot comfort products, pedorthic, orthopedic Manufacturer of men’s and ladies’ handsewn moccasin Pomona, CA...... 909-865-2171 and wound care supplies. Same day shipping. extra-depth shoes. Available in a large selection of sizes and Fax...... 909-868-7252 Email...... [email protected] Island Park, NY...... 800-852-8855 widths. Fax...... 516-889-1253 Jupiter, FL ...... 866-500-7463 E-mail ...... [email protected] Fax...... 866-540-7463 Propet USA, Inc. (2000) Web site...... www.landesmanbros.com. E-mail ...... [email protected] Leading manufacturer in men’s and women’s comfort Web site...... www.naturalstepshoes.com. walking shoes. Available in up to 5 widths, sizes 5-13 in Langer Inc. (2006) women’s, 7-17 in men’s. Propet features a vast selection of Medicare A5500 coded footwear with removable orthotics, Deer Park, NY ...... 800-233-2687 N.E.O.D.S. (2006) secure closure and maximum customization. Fax...... 631-667-1203 Wilton, ME ...... 207-645-3200 Email...... [email protected] Fax ...... 207-645-3292 Kent, WA...... 800-877-6738 E-mail ...... [email protected] Fax...... 800-597-8668 E-mail ...... [email protected] LaZerFit (2006) Web site...... www.propetusa.com Cranberry Township, PA ...... 724-779-3893 New Balance Athletic Shoe/Aravon (1990) Fax...... 724-779-3895. A leading manufacturer of technologically innovative athlet- Email...... [email protected] ic products. Recently debuted Aravon comfort performance P.W. Minor, Inc. (1968) footwear for women. Footwear products for foothealth. Lord Custom Molded Shoes, Inc. (1994) Boston, MA ...... 617-746-2303 Batavia, NY...... 585-343-1500 Fax...... 617-746-6303 Fax...... 585-343-1514 Fashionable custom-molded shoes for men, women, and Web site...... www.pwminor.com. children. Guaranteed fit and service. E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.newbalance.com Bohemia, NY ...... 800-SHOES11 Remington Products (2000) Fax...... 516-471-3090 Orthofeet, Inc. (1999) Insoles and sheet packages, rigid arch supports, viscoelastic Manufacturer and distributor of high quality depth-shoes heel cups, 3/4 and full insoles. MMAR Medical Group, Inc. (2003) and orthotics. Wadsworth, OH...... 330-335-1571 Distributor of multiple diabetic shoe brands at manufacturer- Fax...... 330-336-9462 direct wholesale pricing. Other products include AFO’s, ankle Northvale, NJ...... 800-524-2845 E-mail Adress...... [email protected]. braces and cam walkers. Fax...... 201-767-6748 Web site...... www.remprod.com. E-mail ...... [email protected] Houston, TX ...... 800-662-7633 Web site...... www.orthofeet.com. Fax...... 713-465-2818 Renia GmbH (2001) E-mail ...... [email protected] Specially-designed adhesives and components for the shoe Web site...... www.mmarmedical.com. PAL Health Technologies, Inc. (2003) industry, shoe repair trade, and O & P industry. Custom lab for prefabricated and custom ankle braces Cologne, Germany...... 49-221-6307990 and‑orthoses. MacPherson Leather Company (2005) Fax...... 49-221-63079950 Seattle, WA...... 206-328-0855 Pekin, IL ...... 800-447-0151 E-mail ...... [email protected] Fax...... 206-328-0859 Fax...... 877-957-5647 Web site...... www.renia.com. E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.palhealth.com. Riecken’s Orthotic Laboratory (1985) Miami Leather Company (2001) Foot comfort products and custom orthotics from patient’s Wholesaler to the orthopedic, prosthetic, retail shoe and PartnerShip (2000) casts. Also, pedorthic education classes on second Friday of shoe repair trades. Wide variety of products. PartnerShip, in cooperation with PFA, offers members-only each month. discounts and savings on small package shipping with FedEx Evansville, IN ...... 812-476-8006 Miami, FL ...... 305-266-8328 Ground, and on large freight shipments with Yellow Freight. Fax...... 305-266-8728 Fax...... 812-476-4271 E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] Oberlin, OH...... 800-599-2902 Web site...... www.footcomfortworld.com. Web site...... www.miamileather.com. Fax...... 440-774-2823
M. J. Markell Shoe Company, Inc. (1973) PediFix, Inc. (2001) Rogers Corporation (1995) Offers a wide selection of specialty materials for‑the health Men’s, women’s and children’s comfort and orthopedic High quality pressure relief footcare products. care industry, including PORON Medical urethanes, Bisco footwear. Brewster, NY ...... 800-424-5561 silicone materials and Polyolefin foams . Yonkers, NY...... 914-963-2258 Fax...... 845-277-2851 Woodstock, CT ...... 860-928-3622 Fax...... 914-963-9293 E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.pedifix.com Fax...... 860-928-7843 E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail ...... www.litporonhc.com Web site...... www.markellshoe.com. Web site...... www.rogerscorporation.com. Pedors Shoes (1999) Mobils by Mephisto (1998) Orthopedic shoes with a neoprene forefoot. Ruby Leather & Orthopedic Company Inc. (1998) Extra-depth footwear with a removable footbed and natural Marietta, GA...... 800-750-6729 Milwaukee, WI...... 414-778-2288 orthopedic support. Fax...... 800-446-3101 Fax...... 414-778-2047 Franklin, TN ...... 800-775-7852 Email...... [email protected] Fax...... 615-771-5935 Web site ...... www.pedors.com SAS Shoemakers (1992) Email...... [email protected] SAS makes comfortable shoes that care for all‑feet. Web site...... www.mephisto.com Pedorthic Technology Ltd. (2007) San Antonio, TX...... 210-921-7455 Causeway Bay, Hong Kong...... 522-332-9375 Fax...... 210-921-7460 Munro & Company, Inc. (2000) Email...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] Hot Springs, AR...... 501-262-6156 Web site ...... www.ezped.com Web site...... www.sasshoes.com Fax...... 501-262-6165 PEL Supply Company (1995) STS Company (1997) National Foot Specialties (2005) Wholesale distributor stocks broad selection of finished Resin-impregnated tubular and fitted socks made to take Custom orthotic manufacturing and continuing education foot and arch products, materials and tools for fabricating foot and ankle impressions for custom shoes and foot/ankle courses. foot orthotics. orthotic devices. North Ft. Myers, FL...... 239-707-0279 Cleveland, OH...... 800-321-1264 Mill Valley, CA...... 800-787-9097 Fax...... 239-543-1890 Fax...... 800-222-6176 Fax...... 415-381-4610 Email...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail...... [email protected]. Web site...... www.nationalfoot.com Web site...... www.pelsupply.com Web site...... www.stssox.com.
58 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • November/December 2007 p.w. minor CP ad 1-08:color fullpage 1/17/08 2:47 PM Page 1
Learn With The Best! In 2007, p.w. minor’s commitment to education increased with the addition of our Therapeutic Shoe Fitter’s Course. It was finally a chance to be certified, and we will continue this course, along with our Xtra Depth® University course in 2008. Dennis Janisse, C. Ped., Director of Education for p.w. minor, will once again instruct both these courses along with Jeremy Janisse, C. Ped. We look forward to seeing you at our educational seminars in 2008.
For more information on the seminars including course content & descriptions, please visit our website at www.pwminor.com! And if you register online you can save $25!
2008 Xtra Depth® University & Therapeutic Shoe Fitter’s LIVE Course Schedule
Date Location Course April 19-20 Dallas, Texas XDU Seminar April 21 Dallas, Texas Therapeutic Shoe Fitter’s LIVE Course May 3-4 Minneapolis, MN XDU Seminar May 5 Minneapolis, MN Therapeutic Shoe Fitter’s LIVE Course June 1-2 Atlanta, GA XDU Seminar June 3 Atlanta, GA Therapeutic Shoe Fitter’s LIVE Course p.w. minor July 26-27 Orlando, FL XDU Seminar July 28 Orlando, FL Therapeutic Shoe Fitter’s LIVE Course August 9 Washington, DC Therapeutic Shoe Fitter’s LIVE Course August 16 Milwaukee, WI Therapeutic Shoe Fitter’s LIVE Course September 21-22 Atlantic City, NJ XDU Seminar September 23 Atlantic City, NJ Therapeutic Shoe Fitter’s LIVE Course therapeutic shoe fitters October 4-5 St. Louis, MO XDU Seminar LIVE course October 6 St. Louis, MO Therapeutic Shoe Fitter’s LIVE Course November 15-16 San Diego, CA XDU Seminar the leader in education November 17 San Diego, CA Therapeutic Shoe Fitter’s LIVE Course
XTRA DEPTH® UNIVERSITY SHOE FITTERS COURSE For more information, please contact 12 CPE category 1 8 CPE category 1 Cyndee Fitzsimmons at 585-815-0659 12 CPE category 1 8 CPE category 1
p.w. minor
800-796-4667 www.pwminor.com Product Reference Guide
Saderma – North (2005) Sugar Free Sox (2006) Wolky U.S.A. (2004) Pedorthic materials, diabetic shoes, crepe, cloud, soling Escondido, CA...... 760-739-9003 Fashion comfort footwear. Orthotic and modification materials, shoe care products, tools, machinery. Fax...... 760-739-9682 compatible. Yuba City, CA...... 530-674-5230 E-mail ...... [email protected] Tempe, AZ...... 800-965-5931 Fax...... 530-674-5238 Fax ...... 480-831-8074 E-mail ...... [email protected]. Superfeet Worldwide LLP (2003) Web Site...... http://www.wolky.com SafeStep (2004) Ferndale, WA...... 360-384-1820 Factory direct prices of various footwear brands. Fax...... 360-384-2724 Wrymark, Inc. (1986) E-mail ...... [email protected] Milford, CT ...... 203-874-7722 Pre-fabricated foot inserts; in-office orthotic fabrication Fax...... 203-723-0091 system; Resource Labs, central fabrication facility; and direct E-mail ...... [email protected] Tekscan, Inc. (1994) patient care facilities in central United States. Web site...... www.safestep.net Broad range of pressure assessment and clinical/research St. Louis, MO...... 800-969-3668 evaluation tools for use in orthotics, brace evaluations, joint Fax ...... 314-991-5720 Saucony/Spot Bilt (2001) biomechanics, and gait analysis. E-mail ...... [email protected] Peabody, MA ...... 978-532-5222 Web Site...... http://www.wrymark.com. Fax...... 978-532-9000 Boston, MA ...... 617-464-4500 Fax...... 617-464-4266 E-mail ...... [email protected] Xsensible Shoes (2002) Sequoia/Comfort Rite (1998) Patented stretchable leather, nubuck and fabric footwear Web site...... www.tekscan.com. Quality comfort footwear in a variety of sizes and widths. in many styles. All stretchable materials are breathable and wick moisture away from the foot. New Holstein, WI ...... 800-898-5556 Fax...... 920-898-4605 Therafirm (A Division of Knit-Rite, Inc.) (1999) Hickory, NC...... 828-328-4605 Quality medical-grade compression hosiery and diabetic Fax ...... 828-328-4842 socks. E-mail ...... [email protected]. Shoe Innovations (1998) Web Site...... http://www.xsensible.com. Distributers euro-comfort with style, available in different Ellerbe, NC ...... 800-562-2701 widths for women and men. Fax...... 910-652-2438 Web site...... www.therafirm.com. Z-Coil Footwear (2000) Woodlands, TX ...... 877-FIT-FEET Shoes feature built in orthotic, 3/4 length; spring cushioning Fax...... 281-465-8822 system with over 1-inch compression. E-mail ...... [email protected] Thor-Lo, Inc. (2001) Web site...... www.shoeinnovations.com Albuquerque, NM ...... 505-345-2222 Statesville, NC...... 704-872-6522 Fax ...... 505-345-2224 Fax...... 704-838-6323 E-mail ...... [email protected]. Shoe Systems Plus, Inc. (2003) Web Site...... http://www.zcoil.com Complete line of orthotic and prosthetic equipment Trulife (2006) including finishers/grinders, vacuum pans, pumps, presses, Jackson, MI...... 800-788-2267 industrial sewing machines, fume busters and more. Fax...... 800-245-3765 Goshen, NY...... 800-354-6278 E-mail ...... [email protected] Fax...... 845-291-7097 E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.shoesystemsplus.com. Tru-Mold Shoes, Inc. (1980) Tru-Mold Shoes offers a complete line of contemporary, fully Silipos, Inc. (1991) accommodating custom-molded shoes, including the Thera- Skin protection devices using an advanced polymer Medic Shoe package – the most flexible, highest value shoe technology incorporated into an entire orthotics/footcare package for Medicare-eligible patients with diabetes. product line. Buffalo, NY...... 800-843-6653 Niagara Falls, NY...... 800-229-4404 Fax...... 716-881-0406 Fax...... 716-283-0600 E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.trumold.com Web site: ...... www.silipos.com UCO International (1987) Soletech (1995) Materials, tools, and lab equipment for production of Salem, MA...... 800-225-2192 custom orthotics. Comprehensive line of pre-molded foot Fax...... 978-741-2091 orthosis and Quick-Sil silicone system. Solidschuhwerk GMBH (2006) Wheeling, IL ...... 800-541-4030 Fax...... 847-541-4144 Tuttlingen, Germany...... 074-619-6120 Fax...... 746-196-1270 E-mail ...... [email protected] Web site...... www.ucointernational.com. Southern Leather Company (1996) 7 locations nationwide. The most extensive pedorthic USA Orthopedic Manufacturer Shoes & and shoe care/repair inventory in the industry. Inventory Braces (2005) includes Apex, Soletech, Eva, Vibram and Acor. Manufacturer of high quality custom made orthopedic Memphis, TN...... 800-844-6767. footwear, orthotics & braces. Fax...... 901-946-1059 Gilbert, AZ...... 480-855-1287 E-mail ...... [email protected] E-mail ...... [email protected] Spira (2004) El Paso, TX...... 866-838-8640 Vibram-Quabaug Corporation (1998) Fax...... 915-838-8641. Quabaug Corporation is the U.S. manufacturer of Vibram soling products and Barge adhesives. Sroufe Healthcare (2006) North Brookfield, MA ...... 508-867-7731 Ligonier, IN...... 260-894-4171 Fax ...... 508-867-4600 Fax...... 260-894-4092 E-mail ...... [email protected]. E-mail ...... [email protected] Web Site...... http://www.vibram.us.
60 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • November/December 2007 ® TSD 1-800-750-6729 Compliant A5500
New Pedors Stretch Walker™ Available Now! Pedors Stretch Walker | $48 per pair | $36 single Stretch Vamp - Allows for edema and forefoot ailments such as bunions, 1 4 corns, hammertoes and joint pain 8 associated with arthritis. 7 Vibram® Outsole - Durable and 2 lightweight with great traction for 1 outdoor walking. 10 Extra-Depth Toe Box - Accommodates 3 3 custom orthotics & swelling accociated with diabetes.
Padded Tongue & Heel Cup - Reduces 4 friction and adds comfort to a sensitive foot. 6 5 9 Air Holes - Helps air circulate 2 5 throughout the shoe to keep the foot dry.
6 Reinforced Heel Counter - Offers lateral stability and keeps the heel centered over the midsole.
7 Available in speed lacing for a superior fi t or touch closure for ease of use.
8 Achilles Notch - Prevents irritation of the Achilles Tendon during fl exion.
9 EVA Midsole - Provides maximum cushioning and shock absorbtion.
10 5/16” Removable Layers - Adds additonal depth for custom orthotics or diabetic inserts.
800 801 900 901
Full and Half Sizes Wide, X-Wide, XX-Wide
No Obligation Sample Size Run
Order any six pairs or more and receive FREE shipping, FREE returns and FREE exchanges on your fi rst order!
Pedors® and Pedors Stretch Walker™ are trademarks of OMI Corporation, Marietta, Georgia.
Current Pedorthics Ad.indd 1 8/8/2007 4:48:20 PM Gramercy CP Ad.indd 1 11/13/07 9:47:39 AM