Feature
Idealism vs Realism: Balancing the Scales in O&P Practice
By Judith Philipps Otto
We all want to make a difference in this world; most of us want to leave it a better place than we found it. Unfortunately, with each passing moment, and with each of the hundreds of choices we make every day, we limit ourselves to a narrower and narrower path of opportunity and accomplishment.
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Cutting Edge
M.A.S. Socket: A Transfemoral Revolution
By Miki Fairley
The M.A.S.® socket design is an evolution—and perhaps even a “revolution”—in the development of ischial containment (IC) socket concepts.
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Leading EDGE
Hanger’s MCO: Where Is It Going?
By Miki Fairley
The recent launch of Hanger Orthopedic Group’s new managed care organization (MCO), Linkia, in mid-March has added a potent new element to the O&P scene. Where is Linkia headed? What are its goals and objectives?
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Salute!
Healing Hands for Haiti Foundation
By Al Ingersoll, CP
A recap of the recent Healing Hands for Haiti trip that was chronicled at the EDGE web site.
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Got FAQs?
Got FAQs?
By Lisa Lake-Salmon
The future of your practice depends onknowledgeable billing and collection information. Understanding thefull aspect of billing guidelines and procedures will effectivelyincrease your reimbursement. This informative column will helpproviders and t...
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Today's Consumer
Amputation Renews Zest for Life
By Joan Bennett
A seemingly innocuous accident at work in 1997changed 53-year-old George Hinckley's life. A fire at the Gilletteplant in Boston, Massachusetts, brought the manufacturing managerinto work after hours. Coming in from his boat, the burly 6'3"Hinckley...
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Perspective
Where Should Our Focus Be? Part II
By Tom DiBello, CO, LPO, FAAOP
In my last editorial I defined aproblem--diminished reimbursement--which I argued was a symptom, inthe minds of insurance companies and employers, of our growingirrelevance in the rehabilitation process. I also postulated thatorthotic and prosthet...
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Viewpoints
From the Editor - Progress and Idealism: Alive and Well
By Miki Fairley
Amazingly, despite all the current restraintshobbling the O&P field, progress continues to be made. Whatcould be justly called a transfemoral revolution--the M.A.S.®(Marlo Anatomical Socket) design, developed by Marlo Ortiz, aprosthetist and engin...
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Pioneer MSPO Class Looks Forward to the Future
Pictured on a vintage locomotive-a historical reminder of the many engineering feats and contributions to the world by Georgia Tech-are the members of the first MSPO graduating class and their instructors. Front row, from left are: Benjamin Lucas;...
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It Is a Widely Held Misconception That Billing Services
Cost Money,

The Facts Are:
- WE INCREASE EARNINGS
- DECREASE ADMINISTRATIVE TIME AND COST
- WE ARE HIPAA-COMPLIANT
Call NOW to increase your paycheck!
The added bonus is you will no longer be threatened by
billing noncompliance.
For information contact:
John Dolza
810.629.6424
cposervices@earthlink.net

Ongoing Care Solutions offers a complete line of
orthotics, including WEL-KARE" Night Splints at
only $27.00 each!
We offer two types of Night Splints to choose
from:
- WEL-KARE Passive Night Splint Nighttime solution for plantar
fasciitis.
- WEL-KARE Stretch Night Splint Adjustable solution for plantar
fasciitis.
Visit www.ongoingcare.com to view these Night Splints
as well as our complete, exceptional product line.
For More information, contact:
Ongoing Care Solutions
800.375.0207
www.ongoingcare.com

The latest innovation from College Park
Industries, the Tribute Foot offers a simple,
valuable solution for the dysvascular population. College Park
design principles, such as multi-axial and transverse rotation,
allow individuals with low to moderate activity levels to enjoy the
mobility they need for the freedom they desire.
Key benefits of the Tribute Foot:
- Simple Foot/Ankle unit with no required maintenance
- Multiaxial for superior stability on uneven terrain
- Controlled Dynamic Response for low to moderate activity
levels
- Full-length toe lever for increased comfort
- Adjustable Stride Control" to customize an individual's
gait
- 30-day trial period and one-year warranty
For more information, contact:
College Park Industries
800.728.7950
www.college-park.com

Apex Foot Health Industries, foot orthotics and
orthotic materials manufacturer and supplier since 1946, introduces
a comprehensive new orthotic line designed especially for diabetics
and to comply with Medicare's new K Code definitions. The
Conform ThermoThotic line consists of eight unique
insert styles to fill patient needs.
Four base material options, two Apex exclusives, include: ED-9
Polyetherdiol heat-moldable urethane compound; and Plastazote
X-Firm 45 Durometer closed-cell polyethylene foam. The
Conform ThermoThotic line also includes styles
featuring Thermosky EVA and Plastazote Firm bases.
Medicare's new K-0628 insert code replaces A-5509 which is no
longer accepted after June 30, 2004.
For more information, contact:
Apex Foot Health Industries
Attn: Donille Perrone
800.526.2739 X325
www.apexfoot.com

Available from Ultraflex is its latest
technological breakthrough, UltraSafeStep" (patent pending), for
your stroke rehabilitation patients.
The Ultraflex R&D team has developed the revolutionary
USS so you don't have to lock up the knee to have
the same stance control found on other traditional locking knee
joints. And it provides a dynamic swing assist
(UltraMuscle") to help gait training.
USS is indicated for stroke rehab patients
needing gait training (forced limb use programs) and for patients
needing permanent gait assist for extensor weakness causing knee
instability and buckling. Call for a FREE USS
packet, including an exclusive USS T-shirt!
For more information, contact:
Ultraflex Systems Inc.
800.220.6670
www.ultraflexsystems.com

PEL Supply is offering a 50% discount on new
EZTrim" plastic socket edging material from MICA
Tools. The special introductory price, applying to orders placed
throughPEL from June 1
through July 16, 2004, is only $12.15!
MICA notes that EZTrim extends the life of
suspension sleeves and liners. It protects against tears and rips
of suspension sleeves and helps prevent liners from getting damaged
or torn. Using EZTrim reduces worry about
finishing socket edges. Easily cut to length;
EZTrim is heat-moldable for uncomplicated
application at 60°-80° to a clean, dry, wax-free
surface.
EZTrim fits prosthetic sockets up to 1/8" wall
thickness. The complete kit includes the EZTrim
strip (3' X 1/8"), glue, and fabrication instructions.
For more information, contact:
PEL Supply
800.321.1264
www.pelsupply.com

Promote your business while keeping your patients
warm, covered and comfortable. After all, your patients value their
modesty and their privacy.
Comfort Product's modesty blanket is a
cost-effective way to advertise your company for enhanced awareness
and image building. Your patients will appreciate it, spreading
your company name far and wide.
Share these blankets with your physical therapists for added,
low-cost company visibility.

Blankets are custom-made of cozy, soft,
machine-washable, heavyweight knit with your company name and logo
in a single color; minimum three blanket order. It's just what you'd expect from the
industry's innovation leader.
For more information, contact:
Comfort Products Inc.
800.822.7500
frebern@aol.com

If you've been waiting to discover the benefits of
the new Alpha® MAX liners, wait no more! May
1July 31, 2004, SPS will provide a FREE Maglite® Flashlight
with purchase of two Alpha MAX liners.
Alpha MAX incorporates the skin-friendly
thermoplastic gel, with mineral oil and vitamin E, found in
original Alpha liners. The major difference is that Alpha
MAX integrates a custom fabric outer cover demonstrating
three times greater abrasion resistance than all other liners
available today. This fabric eliminates gel separation and the
Stabilizing Strip reduces movement and gel delamination offering
the perfect interface solution for highly active patients requiring
extremely durable liners.
Water- and shock-resistant, the rugged, machined aluminum
Maglite Flashlight features a high-intensity
adjustable light beam.
Wish Book

SPS proudly presents their 2004 Pediatric
Catalog. Says Connie Withers, vice president of Sales,
"SPS has received numerous requests from customers who specialize
in pediatrics, to put together a catalog which addresses the
unique, exclusive and varied offerings SPS can provide..."
The 2004 Pediatric Catalog features detailed
product specs, fitting and measurement information for new
prosthetic componentry, orthotic systems, fabrication supplies, and
exclusively pediatric patient aids.
New lines featured include: Bledsoe Wee Walkers, Ohio Willow
Wood PPOD line, Ossur Junior Solutions, and OTS StepLock and brace
componentry. New products from "old" favoritesAircast, Alps, Aspen,
Becker, Camp, Coyote Designs, Fillauer, Hosmer, Medipro,
Orthomerica, RCA, Seattle and Silipos are also showcased. Call now
for your 2004 Pediatric Catalog.
For more information, contact:
SPS
Ms. Molly Taylor
800.767.7776 X245
www.spsco.com

SWISSEX 1900 portable cast
cutter, available from Friddle's Orthopedic Appliances,
cuts or removes conventional and synthetic fiber casts and trims or
reshapes orthopedic products.
Highlights:
- portable (accumulator-powered; handy transport
case)
- quiet (~62dBA, excellent for peds)
- cool (patented eccentric blade generates very
low heat)
- dust-free (no floating dust; no vacuum
required)
- light-weight (~380 gr/0.75 lbs)
- heavy-duty (durable sealed metal casing)
- high-speed (~28,000 cpm, 450Hz)
- powerful (~max 75W, 48W continuous)
- ergonomic (non-slip comfortable handgrip)
SWISSEX 1900 is available in Standard
(700-1900) with up to 40 minutes cutting time, and
Professional (700-1900P) with up to 60 minutes
cutting time when fully charged. Makes cast removal or reshaping
fast, safe, and easy!
Friddles Orthopedic Re-Powers Variable Speed Router

Friddle's Orthopedic has become one of the first
companies in the O&P industry to offer a variable speed
router that is powered by an AC motor. New technology has
made it economically possible to vary the speed of AC motors, thus
eliminating the AC/DC motors most frequently used in the past. This
new powered router runs from 0 to 3600 rpm. Shaft
tolerances of .0005" insure smooth, vibration-free service.
Maintenance is minimal and durability is unsurpassed.
For more information, contact:
Friddle's Orthopedic Appliances
800.528.9339 " International 864.369.2328
www.friddles.com

Juzo announces the arrival of Juzo Silver
Compression Stockings, useful in the prevention and
treatment of venous stasis ulcers by increasing blood circulation
throughout the legs.
Juzo Silver Compression Stockings are knitted
with 23% X-STATIC® silver threads. By incorporating silver
into a compression stocking, Juzo has developed a product that is
naturally antimicrobial, anti-odor and cool-wearing. These added
benefits make Juzo Silver Compression Stockings
the ideal compression therapy solution for wound care patients by
extending the antimicrobial shield beyond the wound dressing.
Juzo joins NASA, the US military and NATO Forces in adopting
cutting-edge silver technology! (X-STATIC is a registered trademark
of Noble Fiber Technologies Inc.; www.x-static.com)
For more information, contact:
Juzo/Julius Zorn, Inc.
800.222.4999
www.juzousa.com

Otto Bock HealthCare recently introduced four new
thermoplastic prefabricated AFOs to its orthotic
product line, offering you a broad range of heat-moldable fitting
solutions that are available right off the shelf. They're
lightweight and low-profile, with a pleasing matte finish, and with
control solutions from a simple Blank to Posterior Leaf Spring,
Otto Bock's AFOs are a fast and high-quality
solution at an amazing price.
Journey Begins with One Step...
The new LuXon Journey from Otto Bock HealthCare
is designed to meet the needs of your moderately active patients.
Skillfully engineered, it incorporates the Multi-Sphere 360" and a
separate heel plate to offer the user terrain conformance and
exceptionally smooth rollover. Backed by a 36-month warranty, the
Journey is the perfect solution for patients who
need a natural gait and multiaxial function whether they're chasing
grandchildren, playing 18 holes, traveling, or enjoying nature.

Equally important, the LuXon
Journey requires less set up and maintenance than
comparable prosthetic feet, so you and your patients can spend more
time enjoying the things you love to do.
Otto Bock HealthCare
800.328.4058
www.ottobockus.com

NeuroFlex Orthotics Inc. introduces a recumbent
Ankle/Foot Orthosis (AFO). The NeuroFlex® Eclipse"
AFO treats ankle/foot inversion, eversion, and plantar
flexion while controlling unwanted hip rotation. Flexible calf
extensions with adjustable elastic straps provide Low-Load
Prolonged-Stretch effectively treating ankle/foot contractures. A
flexible Toe Guard "gives" with involuntary toe flex.
The Eclipse AFO's soft, breathable cover is
treated with KOOL-WICK" and BACTI-BAN" to keep skin cool and dry,
protect skin integrity, and reduce cover odor.
Use Eclipse AFO to treat joint stiffness,
adaptive tissue shortening, and abnormal ankle/foot tone and
spasticity. If your patient has the potential to bear weight and
walk again, treat their plantarflexion contracture with NeuroFlex
Eclipse orthotic therapy.
Thumbs Up!

NeuroFlex Orthotics Inc. has launched the
NeuroFlex® Eclipse" Finger Flex Wrist/Hand/Finger
Orthosis. Designed with bioengineered therapeutic flex at
the wrist, MCP, and PIP joints of the fingers, the Eclipse
Finger Flex WHFO reduces abnormal tone and spasticity of
the wrist/hand/fingers. Rather than immobilizing the hand during an
episode of tone; the Eclipse Finger Flex WHFO "gives", allowing
affected muscles to shorten, reducing Muscle Spindle firing and
involuntary muscle contractions.
The Eclipse Finger Flex WHFO cover is made of
soft, breathable foam and moisture-wicking KOOL-WICK" fabric
treated with BACTI-BAN" to protect skin integrity and reduce cover
odor. The proprietary strapping system allows a custom fit.
Patients report greater comfort compared to static hand
splints.
For more information, contact:
NeuroFlex Orthotics
800.652.1136
neuroflexjk@aol.com