Feature
Getting a Grip on Peripheral Neuropathy
By Miki Fairley
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) presents in astonishing variety—more than 100 types have been identified, each with its own characteristic set of symptoms, pattern of development, and prognosis, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disor...
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Online Exclusive
Users Rave about Evolution Custom Liners
"As a previous user of custom urethane liners, I have been very satisfied with the quality and performance of Evolution's custom silicone liners. The customer service is fabulous, and they will always go the extra mile to make sure you are totally...
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Feature
First Steps: Orthoses for the Pediatric Foot and Ankle
By Morgan Stanfield
Seeing a child walk for the first time can be one of life's great joys. Supporting a child in a lifetime of healthy movement can be even better. Clinicians who work to support and control the pediatric foot and ankle face an array of challenges on...
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Feature
Charcot Foot: A Case Study
By Gordon Zernich, CP, BOCP; Karin Zachow, MD, CWS; Gary Rothenberg, DPM, CWS; Tomas Dowell, CPO, LPO
Neuropathic osteoarthropathy, or Charcot foot, will affect 15 percent of the 18.2 million people currently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, according to the article, "Neuropathic Arthropathy (Charcot Joint)," (eMedicine from WebMD: www.emedicine....
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Today’s Consumer
Mike Garone: Standing Up to Every Challenge
By Brady Delander
Photographs courtesy of the Garone family. New York teen keeps pushing his pace- and his limits-a year after losing his leg. Mike Garone's thrills come in many forms.
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Perspective
The Art of Prosthetics
By Christina Skoski, MD
One popular definition of the word prosthetics is "the art and science of developing artificial replacements for body parts." As a transpelvic amputee and prosthesis wearer for nearly 48 years, I've noticed a disturbing trend recently. Somewhere a...
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Stepping Out
Custom Shoes: The Importance of the Cast
By Séamus Kennedy, BEng (Mech), CPed
"It is impossible to understand the science of shoes until one understands what science is." -Plato, The Theaetetus Despite the likely need for pedorthic services in ancient Athens, I doubt that Plato was a shoemaker. However, Plato's quote gets...
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Shop Talk
Biomechanics for Technicians
By Tony Wickman, RTPO
When I started out as an orthotic technician more than 25 years ago, I was taught to always flatten the plantar surface of an AFO mold. Then I had the opportunity to work with a group of physical therapy students. I felt secure in talking with the...
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Residency Report
Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk
By Stephanie LeGare
As an orthotic resident at National Orthotics and Prosthetics Company (NOPCO), Boston, Massachusetts, I spent the first seven weeks of my residency working on my technical skills at the central fabrication facility. When I was transferred to a cli...
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Face to Face
Bruce Jensen, CPed, and Rhonda Jensen, CPed
Bruce and Rhonda Jensen have the unusual distinction of sharing a business partnership, an O&P career path, and a 35-year marriage. They began their careers together making leather goods, progressed to cowboy boots and saddles, and then entered th...
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Got FAQs?
Billing and Collections Q&A
By Lisa Lake-Salmon
Running an O&P practice is complicated enough without having to deal with frequent denials. This month's column tackles your questions regarding Medicare denials due to incorrect knee-brace modifiers, denials due to incorrect prosthetic modifiers,...
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Progress on Parity
ACA Ramps Up Push for Parity in the National Healthcare-Reform Bill
By Morgan Sheets
Morgan Sheets On September 16, amputees from as far away as North Dakota and Montana joined local activists at a Washington DC "lobby day" organized by the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) along with its partners, the American Orthotic & Prosth...
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Viewpoint
Maintaining a Strong Foundation
By Karen Henry
The Greek philosopher Socrates once said, "When our feet hurt, we hurt all over." Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci described the foot as "a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art." Clearly, these men understood the solid foundation that the...
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Online Exclusive
Donated C-Leg Works Wonders
By Brady Delander
How one family and their prosthetist dealt with an insurmountable health insurance cap. Mike Garone was running on his Otto Bock C-Leg less than two weeks after first testing it out. It was comfortable.
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SPS launches the next step in the Flex-Foot® evolution, the Vari-Flex® EVO (Energy Vector Optimization), which controls ground-reaction forces transferred to the prosthetic foot. Each step is optimized through the magnitude, placement, and direction of forces for maximum efficiency.
The EVO feature provides the following benefits:
- Fluent rollover that mimics natural gait progression.
- Reduced fatigue.
- Effortless control of the ankle during stance.
- Less pressure on amputee's sound side and lower back.
Available in standard and low-profile versions.
SPS
800.767.7776
www.spsco.com
The new Orthomerica HealPRO™ (Positioning Recumbent Orthosis) is designed to unweight the heel and protect the foot from potential ulcers and/or loss of dorsiflexion range of motion. Its unique design reduces pressure on the toes from bed linens to facilitate comfort and protect the skin.
- Washable liner is easy to remove, clean, and re-apply.
- Soft and comfortable CoolFoam™ liner with finished edges.
- Easy opening Velcro™ tabs facilitate donning and doffing.
- Toe lift facilitates clearance in swing phase of ambulation.
- Includes extension straps for edema or bariatric patients.
- Universal sizing-fits left or right.
PEL Supply Company
800.321.1264
www.pelsupply.com
Intended for patients up to 320 lb. or those individuals with a severe biomechanical deficit the Model 1017-A38 Automatic Angled Lever-Lock Knee Joint is the latest addition to our comprehensive range of orthotic knee joints. Equipped with in. x ¾ in. (9.5mm x 19.1mm) aluminum uprights, the Model 1017-A38 is modular in design and may be used in either a unilateral or double upright configuration. The Model 1017-A38 can be fabricated into a variety of orthotic designs including conventional metal and leather, thermoplastics, and composites.
Becker Orthopedic
800.521.2192
www.beckerorthopedic.com
Friddle's now offers the time-saving Blockers from Acor® with three different Swirl Microcel Puff® topcovers. These pre-laminated, pre-skived Blockers come with EFM® reinforcement and a Microcel Puff base that, when heated, allow you to fabricate a pair of custom foot orthoses quickly and easily. The rear-foot portion of the blocker material is thicker than the forefoot, allowing for grinding of posting and edges of the orthoses. Blockers save you inventory, space, and time. View them and order online at www.friddles.com
Friddle's Orthopedic Appliances
800.528.9339
www.friddles.com
The new Seattle Catalyst 9™ Foot from Trulife is a multiaxial foot-ankle system that combines a carbon composite "C" design shank and split keel. It features heel-strike shock absorption, smooth rollover, controlled plantarflexion, split-keel stability, and a balanced transition from heel to toe. It offers increased axial torque absorption with up to 22 degrees of rotation at 14.7 ft./lb.
- Product weight: 449g for size 25cm (#3 keel).
- Minimum clearance: 18cm (7-1/8 in. from floor to top of pyramid dome).
- Heel wedge height: ¼ in. (6.4mm), in. (9.5mm), ½ in. (12.7mm).
- Warranty: three years for hard components; six months for foot shell.
- Maximum patient weight: 366 lb./166kg (medium activity).
PEL Supply Company
800.321.1264
www.pelsupply.com
Eliminate the need for realignment or painstaking adjustments and help improve your patient's stability with the 1M10 Adjust. Designed specifically for the K2 walker, the Adjust foot provides a stable center of gravity, allowing you to make adjustments, even change the heel-strike stiffness with the adjustable heel function, without realignment.
Otto Bock HealthCare
800.328.4058
www.1M10Adjust.com
Looking for a new way to feather foams? Try our new, lightweight, 6-in. pneumatic orbital sander. Use it on all surfaces. It has a speed regulator, is lightweight (under 2 lb.), and has an ergonomic rubber handle that reduces vibration. Sand, finish, and blend your work in a professional way at an unheard-of price. It comes with a sample pack of PSA sandpaper in assorted grits. Additional discs are available.
The Ortho Remedy
800.662.7993
www.orthoremedy.com
Mechanical advantage with no strings attached!
The innovative NINJA is a 6X mechanical-advantage orthosis that is like a string brace, but it uses straps instead of strings. The straps are more durable; they won't fray, tear, tangle, or wedge.
The NINJA belt is the foundation of each brace (L-0627, L-0631, and L-0637) in the NINJA Progressive Spinal System. It has a soft mesh inside and an aggressive loop outside. The single pull strap is easy to tighten and fasten. The NINJA Mid LSO is pictured.
HOPE Orthopedic: When you need it right fast!
HOPE Orthopedic
800.613.8852
www.hopeortho.com
We asked prosthetists what their clients needed. They said a durable, economical sleeve for transtibial suspension that was comfortable and easily applied yet secure. In response, Syncor's research team developed the Durasleeve EZ, an air-tight, hypobaric suction environment that provides virtually fail-safe suction.
The Durasleeve EZ is pre-flexed with no bunching, increasing comfort while making it less obtrusive. This also eliminates seams, reducing pressure on the patella. Constructed of cream-colored Hypalon®, the sleeve is less likely to cause irritation. Sizes available from S to XL, and custom orders are welcome.
Syncor Ltd.
920.435.1199
Differentiate your practice from pharmacies and DME suppliers selling over-the-counter inserts that do not provide sufficient protection for your diabetic patients. You need a custom solution that will fit the needs of these high-risk patients.
SureFit™ is dedicated to providing your patients with the highest quality custom and prefabricated inserts. All SureFit custom products are 100 percent Medicare compliant. Provide your patients with:
- Custom-molded inserts that providemaximum pressure reduction.
- Prefabricated inserts that require no trimming.
- Wide selection of custom accommodations.
SPS
800.767.7776
www.spsco.com
The FullStride™ Shadow from Becker Oregon is a lightweight KAFO that combines structural strength and cosmetic appeal with the FullStride mechanical stance-control orthotic knee joint.
The inherent rigidity of the FullStride Shadow ensures that optimal joint alignment and function is maintained throughout the gaitcycle. Constructed of lightweight and rigid composite materials, the FullStride Shadow's sleek and open design offers patients an unparalleled blend of form and function.
Becker Oregon
800.866.7522
www.beckerorthopedic.com
Europlast is a sleek design material that can be used as a top or bottom layer for your custom insoles. It is a 100-percent PVC material, which features a self-adhesive that is activated at 120 degrees C. It is stretchable, washable, and resistant to any abrasion. Europlast gives your insole a carbon-fiber look.
Velluxia is an antifungal, antibacterial microfiber top layer. It features a rubber cushioning layer and a microfiber lining. It is very easy to work with and glues easily to all types of materials. Velluxia is available in tan or medical blue.
Euro International
800.378.2480
www.eurointl.com
Over the years, Friddle's has provided the orthotics and prosthetics industry with top-quality, innovative products. The Mini-Vac Vacuum System is another standard-setting product. This vacuum system offers unmatched functionality and quality for your fabrication lab. Our low-maintenance unit is designed for convenience and longevity, using the finest materials and components available. This is a perfect match for our Vac-Max vacuum press. For professional supplies and products, always consider Friddle's
Friddle's Orthopedic Appliances
800.528.9339
www.friddles.com
Our unique and innovative system uses SPECTROMATCH to electronically measure skin tone to ensure a near perfect match to the wearer. Unlike similar products, our fabrication techniques involve coloring the silicone material itself prior to sculpting. This process allows the layering of different shades to give a translucent finish, similar to real human tissue.
Quick, easy, and versatile, the service can be used to create realistic cosmetic silicone prostheses including individual digits, full and partial hands, partial feet, and upper- and lower-limb covers. It can also be used in cosmetic restorations for burns and tissue loss.
RSLSTEEPER
210.882.8553
www.rslsteeper.com
SPS is offering special pricing on all DuraGel Suspension Sleeves through the end of the year. Discounts range from 19.4 percent on the basic sleeve up to 26.8 percent on the reinforced sleeves in all sizes, including the distal plus size.
DuraGel Suspension Sleeves provide a durable and skin-friendly solution:
- DuraGel mineral-oil gel moisturizes and conditions skin while providing increased durability.
- Skin-friendly gel works well with suction applications.
- Easy to don and doff.
- Available in 3mm gel thickness.
SPS
800.767.7776
www.spsco.com
Orthomerica Products Inc. introduces the new California® LOMBAR™, a streamlined, low-profile, customizable orthosis that promotes thoracic extension through targeted vertebral separation. The "aluminum spine" provides strength while conforming intimately to the patient's body to provide stability and pain relief. Contoured spine can be further customized with no tools. The apron front closes with Velcro® via dual pull tabs with finger pockets for abdominal compression that is easy to control and adjust. Contact us to view Orthomerica's California LOMBAR or any of our comprehensive array of prefabricated, semi-custom, and custom orthotic products.
Orthomerica
800.446.6770
www.orthomerica.com
The OP4 boasts an innovative combination of friction brake and pneumatic swing control in one sleek package.
Features of the OP4 include:
- Incredibly light (600g).
- Friction brake is adjustable to release before toe-off for smoother ambulation.
- Powerful pneumatic cylinder handles wide variations in cadence.
- Patients can transition from security to dynamic capability due to combination of braking system and pneumatics.
- Designed especially for the moderate to full K3 ambulator weighing up to 220 lb.
See page 5 for our free gift promotion.
Medi USA
800.633.6334
www.mediusa.com
Orthofeet is adding new styles to its Easy Slip-On® collection. These unique shoes feature a wide opening for easy on/off, along with a two-way strap system, which allows fastening on either side of the shoe and enables easy adjustment of the length of the strap for a perfect fit. Additional comfort features include a seamless fabric lining, extra foam padding, and a lightweight cushioning sole with Ergonomic-Stride™ design.
Orthofeet Inc.
800.524.2845
www.orthofeet.com
Clinicians using OMEGA® Tracer® may efficiently create custom insoles for their patients with minimal inconvenience and shorter fabrication time.
With the OMEGA Scanner, there are three shape-capture options:
- Directly scanning a patient's foot.
- Scanning the inner surface of a slipper cast.
- Scanning a foot imprint in a foam impression box.
OMEGA Tracer software offers a full range of modification tools. Clinicians may use the standard modification wizard or customize and make their own.
Final patient files may be carved on in-house carvers or sent to external custom-fabrication facilities.
Ohio Willow Wood
800.848.4930
www.owwco.com
With one of the largest and most extensive selections of diabetic and orthopedic footwear, stepping in style has never been so easy!
Our footwear stock includes BoxerDogs, Mt. Emey, and Answer2. We also offer Medicare-approved custom diabetic inserts, as well as toe fillers, prefabricated diabetic inserts, and other products pertaining to diabetic-foot management.
We guarantee value pricing, huge product selection, and a commitment to excellent service you have to experience. Our 2009 catalog is available.
Apis Footwear Co.
800.328.4058
www.ottobockus.com
SPS introduces the new footwear collection that your comments and feedback inspired-SureFit's Adventure Series.
SureFit, a division of SPS, has designed its new footwear collection as a marriage of originality and classically inspired styling. Constructed with the new Origins last, these beautifully tailored shoes are designed to fit like a dream. The extremely lightweight, fashion-right designs have hardware accents and touches of natural beauty that will provide your diabetic patients with lasting value. Request the new 2010 SureFit Therapeutic Footwear Catalog.
SPS
800.767.7776
www.spsco.com
Wound care centers trust Geritrex's tincture of benzoin product line because it provides effective skin protection. Available as a liquid (Benzoin Compound Tincture U.S.P.), topical spray (Sprayzoin™) and unit dose pouch (Benz-Protect™), these antiseptic formulas help toughen skin and increase adhesion of bandages, without irritation. Surgeons, orthopedists, orthotists, and prosthetists use Geritrex's benzoin product line and say that it helps shield skin during the healing process.
You may purchase Benzoin Compound Tincture U.S.P., Sprayzoin, and Benz-Protect through wholesalers, specialty distributors, or direct. Call today to order your free product sample!.
Geritrex
800.736.3437
www.geritrex.com
The TSS Vaculink Vacuum Pump from MICA Corp. was created for elevated vacuum socket management, enhanced suspension, and moisture control. The Vaculink is a mechanical pump mounted to a tibial component and driven by stance phase or combined foot and ankle flexion. The pump design is simple and effective, ensuring extended life, efficiency, and zero maintenance.
Features and benefits include:
- Zero battery dependence.
- Enhances blood circulation.
- Stabilizes limb volume and prevents fluctuation.
- Firmly secures socket to limb.
- Increases user awareness of limb/prosthesis position.
- Easily adjustable vacuum.
- Lightweight.
HI-Tech
888.750.6840
www.micacorp.com
Provel offers cost-effective, fast, easy-to-use, and reliable O&P automation. The D2 digitizer, C5 carver, and T6 thermoformer are appropriate for small clinics as well as large central fabs. All are AOP-file compatible and backed by a two-year warranty. The D2 digitizer allows automated shape capture of prosthetic casts with unmatched accuracy. The C5 carver is not only fast and precise, its self-contained dust-collection system is extremely quiet. The T6 thermoformer consistently produces high-quality thermoplastic sockets from industry-standard preforms.
Provel Inc.
509.857.2009
www.provel.us
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