Feature
Helping Kids Cope with the Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
By Judith Philipps Otto
SEEING THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES Ayden displays his Lego ninja lamination. Riley shows off her colorful froggy arm. Kids learn better, faster, and more confidently from others like themselves.
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Feature
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Helping Kids Meet the Compliance Challenge
By Miki Fairley
Photograph courtesy of Boston Brace. Being a teenager is stressful enough. Being a teenager who has to wear a scoliosis brace can be emotionally paralyzing.
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Feature
Society Spotlight – Pectus Carinatum: An Orthotic Approach
By Gina M. Retallack, CO; David M. Notrica, MD; and Dawn E. Jaroszewski, MD
Pectus carinatum (PC) is an anterior chest wall deformity associated with abnormal growth and development of the costal rib cartilages and sternum. The cartilaginous overgrowth is observed as an outward protrusion, tilt, or convexity on the anteri...
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Feature
Pediatric Applications of Functional Electrical Stimulation
By Phil Stevens, MEd, CPO, FAAOP
Hanger Clinic National Orthotics Specialist Curt Bertram with WalkAide patient Amber Konkol. Photograph courtesy of Hanger. Applications of functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices are most prevalent within adult populations, particularly p...
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Today’s Consumer
Zach Hanf: The Heart of a Survivor
By Laura Fonda Hochnadel
"Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started." —Steve Prefontaine, 1972 Olympian, American middle- and long-distance runner (1951-1975) Hanf and Crawford. Photographs courtesy of Jennifer Soto. Michael "...
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Perspective
Camp No Limits Helps to Empower Children Living with Limb Loss
By Mary Leighton, OTR/L, and Sarah Thomas, CPO
Leighton Thomas Many children, at one time or another, experiencefeeling self-conscious about the way they look-thattheir freckles, weight, or other perceived flaws areon display. For children with limb loss, this sense ofbody difference can...
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Stepping Out
Equinus
By Séamus Kennedy, BEng (Mech), CPed
Equinus is a common foot and ankle condition that, depending on the clinical definition, is thought to be present in the majority of the population. It is also recognized as a leading contributor to foot pathology. In simple terms, equinus is the...
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Shop Talk
Finding Efficiency with the Right Vise
By James “Jim” O. Young Jr., CP, LP, FAAOP
Have you ever tried to spin a spinal orthosis or transfemoral socket model with one hand while holding it in position and trying to tighten the pipe vise with the other hand only to have it slip out of position? The typical solution is to hit the...
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Face to Face
Geoffrey Christian
Geoffrey Christian, CO, of the Orthopliance Group, headquartered in Toluca Lake, California, is as much a firm believer in technical skills as he is in relationship-building skills to meet the needs of his pediatric patients and their parents. Asi...
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Got FAQs?
Billing and Collections Q&A
By Lisa Lake-Salmon
Running an O&P facility in today's landscape of enhanced scrutiny and changing billing requirements can leave even the most seasoned billing professional feeling frustrated. If you have a billing question or a question about a denial, "Got FAQs?"...
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Industry Review - Conferences
The Academy Annual Meeting Shines in Sunny Florida
By Andrea Spridgen
Exclusive live coverage by The O&P EDGE Shurr (left) accepts the Titus-Ferguson award fromMcClellan during the Opening Ceremony. Photographs courtesy of the Academy The American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists' (the Academy) 39th Annu...
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Industry Review - Conferences
Hanger Education Fair
By Andrea Spridgen
Exclusive live coverage by The O&P EDGE Kevin Carroll, with Molina, presents during one of the educational sessions. Asar addresses the attendees during the opening ceremony. Partnerships and Patient Focus The 2013 Hanger Education Fair and N...
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Industry Review - Conferences
ISPO 2013
Inclusion, Participation, and Empowerment Geertzen, the outgoing ISPO president, addresses attendees. The 14th World Congress of the International Society for Prostheticsand Orthotics (ISPO) was held in Hyderabad, India, February4-7. It is the...
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Viewpoint
Coming this Fall…EDGE Quick Credit
By Tonja Randolph
After returning from the Hanger Education Fair in Las Vegas, Nevada, The O&P EDGE crew headed to Orlando, Florida, for the 39th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy). We love these meetings! Going to...
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EDGE Direct
Schroth-Based Physical Therapy: Does It Improve Scoliosis Outcomes?
A physical therapy regimen developed in the 1920s by a young German woman, Katharina Schroth, to treat her own scoliosis and later refined by her daughter Christa Lehnert-Schroth, PT, has been used in Europe for decades and is growing in popularit...
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EDGE Direct
EDGE Quick Credit: Educating O&P One Credit at a Time
Western Media, publisher of The O&P EDGE , has announced the pilot phase of EDGE Quick Credit™. The program is being offered in cooperation with the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy), the American Board for Certificatio...
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Educate Referral Sources about Your Clinic.
Regular, ongoing communication with your
referral sources is critical to growing your
business. Here are just a few ways that
EDGE Custom Publications can help:
- Brand your clinic and build your reputation.
- Tell readers about your company, your specialties, and your patient outcomes.
- Create ongoing marketing campaigns with your own referral-source-focused mailer.
- Customize a publication to suit your needs and patient populations.
- Include contact information, maps, directions to your location, clinical services provided, and provider networks.
EDGE Custom Publications
866.613.0257
www.oandp.com/edgecustompubs
The Perfect Balance
For users with less active lifestyles who are engaged in low-impact activities and walk at a constant speed, the Balance Knee by Össur® offers the perfect balance of safety, adjustability, and durability. Adjustable stance control balances stability and swing initiation, while mid-swing shortening increases toe clearance to help prevent hiphiking and reduce the chances of tripping. Plus, the Balance Knee is maintenance free, easy to align, and fully adjustable without disassembly.
Össur
800.233.6263
www.ossur.com
At long last, Coyote Design has released a new catalog! It's been
an eventful year of changes, as we have been making a number
of improvements to our products. We have also been hard at
work on some new products that are already available and some
that will be out soon-all of which are in the new catalog. If
you would like to receive a catalog, visit our website and fill out
the online request form, or send your contact information to
Coyote Design
800.819.5980
www.coyotedesign.com
Available at SPS, the reliable, speedy, and versatile bebionic3
can be configured to handle almost anything your patient needs
to do. bebionic3 is designed to be stronger and more durable
so it can be worn daily and withstand the stresses and strains of
constant use.
SPS
800.767.7776
www.spsco.com
Spinal Technology is a leading central fabricator of spinal orthoses and
upper- and lower-limb orthoses and prostheses. Our ABC-certified staff of orthotists and prosthetists collaborate with highly skilled, experienced technicians to provide the highest quality products and fastest delivery time, including weekends and holidays, as well as unparalleled customer support in the industry.
Spinal Technology is the exclusive manufacturer of the Providence Scoliosis System, a nocturnal bracing system designed to prevent the progression of scoliosis, and the patented FlexFoam™ spinal orthosis.
Spinal Technology
800.253.7868
www.spinaltech.com
The avalon foot provides 12° of controlled ankle motion, allowing the user to safely negotiate stairs, ramps, and environmental obstacles with increased confidence and security.
Benefits include:
- Dorsiflexes from midstance to toe off for a smooth rollover.
- Remains dorsiflexed through swing phase for improved toe clearance, to minimize the risk of falls.
- Provides a more natural gait; reduces the need to compensate by hip hiking, circumduction, or lifting the knee to clear the toe during swing phase.
- Biomimetic ankle motion encourages equal loading during ambulation, which leads to less stress and thereby preserves the sound side.
Endolite
800.548.3534
www.endolite.com
Accommodate, NEVER correct! People with Charcot foot, edema, hammer toes, bunions, and RA foot pain cannot tolerate much correction or pressure caused by footwear. Proper fitting of footwear is essential, and our Mt. Emey therapeutic line offers shoes for any of these conditions. Whether accommodating for depth, width, size, or even for shape, select from our variety of shoes from our therapeutic line to fit that special foot of your patient. Call our friendly customer service department for more information or free samples.
Apis Footwear Co.
888.937.2747
www.bignwideshoes.com
Delcam's easier-to-use OrthoMODEL 2013 has new developments specifically for accommodative orthotics, which will benefit practitioners and laboratories that support patients with diabetes and clients who need comfort insoles produced from EVA or similar softer materials. The orthotic can be created from the prescription as it is input. Sculpting, cuts, and additions, such as depressions for relief of ulcerated regions, can be added at any stage. With the new "real-time" design, the complete orthotic can be visualized and modified in real time so the practitioner or laboratory can approve the generated shape before it is sent for manufacturing.
Delcam
877.335.2261
www.delcam-healthcare.com
medi USA is proud to introduce
the SLEEQ® series of spinal bracing
solutions. The SLEEQ Spinal Therapy
System's InvisAdjust™ technology
enables a universal fit for nearly all
patients while dramatically reducing
the hassle and cost of unwanted
inventory. SLEEQ's state-of-the-art
TruGlide™ tightening makes it easy
to achieve optimal compression for the most effective pain
relief. The advanced eco-friendly Q-Lex™ OrthoSport Material
promotes air flow to keep patients cool and dry. The low-profile
ventilated AeroFlex™ support system automatically conforms
to the patient's anatomy for a custom fit, providing optimum
comfort and pain management or operative treatment support.
medi USA
800.633.6334
www.mediusa.com
Cascade Orthopedic Supply is proud to announce the opening
of a new distribution center in Chicago, Illinois. Patient
care facilities local to the greater Chicago area will now have
access to same-day inventory, and next-day ground service
will be available to most patient care facilities located in the
surrounding areas. The new distribution center will allow the
company to deliver quality prosthetic products to customers and
continue setting industry standards as the largest independent
O&P distributor.
Cascade Orthopedic Supply
800.888.0865
www.cascade-usa.com
Fabtech's Advanced Cover Systems (ACS)
prosthetic limb covers are designed to provide your
patients' prostheses with maximum protection
from the elements encountered in everyday and
sports use.
Features and benefits include:
- Above-knee and below-knee versions.
- Waterproof design.
- High-stretch neoprene for a custom fit.
- Does not interfere with knee articulation.
- Easy to don and doff.
Fabtech Systems
800.322.8324
www.fabtechsystems.com
Have your patients experience the 3S80 Fitness Prosthesis—ask for a trial kit, which includes the 3S80 Fitness Knee, a variety of adapters, and a series of the 1E90 Sprinter Foot. The 3S80 Fitness Prosthesis makes it possible for your transfemoral patients to get up and move again, thereby increasing strength and mobility and enhancing overall health. Contact your sales representative to schedule a trial fitting. If you know which products your patients need, simply call our customer service department to order.
Ottobock
800.328.4058
www.ottobockus.com
Comfort, security, and reliability! Now your patients have more
options to meet the demands of their active lifestyles. The Triton
Low Profile (LP) and the Triton Heavy Duty (HD) are especially
robust and waterproof, ready for the most challenging conditions.
Or, choose the lightweight Triton carbon fiber foot, the Triton
Vertical Shock (VS), or the Triton Harmony® with integrated
vacuum technology for outstanding flexibility and support.
Ottobock
800.328.4058
www.ottobockus.com
The Stride4™ Shadow is a lightweight KAFO that combines structural strength and cosmetic appeal with the new Stride4 mechanical stance control orthotic knee joint from Becker Orthopedic.
Stride4 features include:
- Three operation modes: stance control, free motion, and locked with stance phase knee flexion.
- Four-bar linkage mechanism to afford stability and mimic anatomical knee motion.
- Integrated extension assist.
The inherent rigidity of the Stride4 Shadow ensures that optimal joint alignment and function is maintained throughout the gait cycle.
Becker Oregon
800.866.7522
www.beckerorthopedic.com
The Go AFO from Hersco is a rear-entry
ankle gauntlet designed for
patients who have difficulty donning
traditional braces. The gauntlet is a
traditional thermoplastic ankle foot
orthosis with a thin leather lining and
outer layer that secures posteriorly
using either a Velcro or lace closure.
Now Chopart, Lisfranc, or
transmetatarsal amputees who need
a partial-foot prosthesis (PFP) can
combine the Go AFO with a filler. The
Go AFO provides excellent support
and control for the remainder of the foot, and the PFP portion
can be fitted into regular extra-depth shoes.
Hersco Ortho Labs
800.301.8275
www.hersco.com
New Prosthetic Foot for Geriatric Amputees.
Gery®, another patented product from PROTEOR, is specially designed for K1 and K2 patients with limited indoor walking requirements and low-level activity. The innovative rigid core and Keasy®-like foam provide an easy gait, which reduces pressure forces to the socket and thus reduces residual limb pain. Less physically capable wearers are able to take symmetrically longer steps. The pyramidal connector and malleolar clip are included.
Benefits include:
- Comfort.
- Also available in ebony.
- Lightweight: 30% lighter than the SACH foot.
- Easy step completion.
Nabtescoproteor-USA
855.517.4414
www.nabtescoproteor-usa.com
The innovative cost-effective solution for optimal suspension in vacuum and expulsion systems.
Evolution Industries Inc.
888.839.6213
www.evoii.com
The KiddieROCKER™, the newest addition to Allard's ToeOFF family, supports the foot and ankle while allowing more normal ROM during developmental years and providing extra rigidity for enhanced balance and posture control, especially for weak quadriceps.
Features:
- Carbon composite with anterior shell, lateral strut, and engineered footplate with open calcaneal design.
- Allows integration of your custom foot orthotic to help control ground-up forces.
- Lateral strut can serve as a base for a T-strap to control excessive ankle eversion.
- Anterior shell assists in proximal deficits management by helping to manage knee hyperextension or crouch gait.
PEL Supply
800.321.1264
www.pelsupply.com
The DuraShock has quickly become the industry standard for dynamic torque and shock absorption because of its high performance and durability. The DuraShock uses a titanium core in combination with a durable, yet pliable geometric urethane coupling to provide a high degree of active performance for golfing, hiking, gardening, or simple everyday use.
Fillauer LLC
800.251.6398
www.fillauer.com
The Stride4™ is the latest addition to the Stride family of stance-control orthotic knee joints from Becker. The Stride4 knee joint is comprised of a four-bar linkage mechanism, whereby the upper and lower aspects of the joint do not purely rotate about one fixed center of rotation. Instead, the joint motion involves some translation, in addition to rotation, to more closely mimic anatomical knee motion.
Features include:
- Three operation modes: stance control, free motion, and locked with stance phase knee flexion.
- Integrated extension assist.
- Free motion option.
Becker Orthopedic
800.521.2192
www.beckerorthopedic.com
The STAR™ family of cranial orthoses has been used to treat post-operative and positional plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, scaphocephaly in infants from ages 3-18 months. Nearly 100,000 infants have been successfully treated with the STARband®. Orthomerica's cranial orthoses can be fabricated from an unmodified cast or a scan of the infant's head using the STARscanner™. In less than two seconds, the STARscanner collects the baby's head shape data, which is then transmitted to Orthomerica for fabrication of the custom cranial orthosis. For more information, visit us at ACPOC.
Orthomerica
877.737.8444
www.starbandkids.com
The Genu Sleeve is a transtibial suspension sleeve that provides
the ultimate in comfort, suspension, and ease of use.
- Inner TPE gel surface provides optimal sealing and suspension.
- Longitudinal-knit cuff allows generous radial stretch for a secure and comfortable fit.
- Round-knit textile cover means no seams to unravel or irritate.
- Comfort zone knitting in patella and popliteal region for greater freedom of movement during knee flexion.
- Smooth outer textile slides easily against itself for simple donning.
- Includes free inner protector sleeve (also available separately).
- Can be used with the new medi Vacu-Valve with simple fabrication.
medi USA
800.633.6334
www.mediusa.com
Amfit is the world leader in equipment and software for manufacturing custom foot orthotics quickly, accurately, and at a low cost. Choose either of our 3-D scanners—the Contact Digitizer™ or the Impress Scanner—and combine it with the Amfit CAD/CAM Mill to fabricate superior custom foot orthotics in your own facility. Our Correct & Confirm™ software is highly accurate and easy to use. Amfit combines cutting-edge technology and more than 25 years of global experience—making us the best choice for any foot care professional.
Amfit Inc.
800.356.3668
www.amfit.com
Finally, a humeral fracture orthosis (HFO) that will fit—because you fabricate it! The innovative, lightweight, and breathable 3D-LITE™ thermoplastic is pre-cut to fabricate an HFO. The 3D-LITE can be softened in three to five minutes using a heat gun or oven, allowing it to be custom molded to your patient's anatomy or easily remolded to assure continued intimate fit as any edema subsides. The kit includes straps and hardware, which are ready for you to attach and position to achieve optimum stabilization. Fabricate your own custom HFO in less than 30 minutes!
Allard USA
888.678.6548
www.allardusa.com
The echelonVT merges the fluid movement of our hydraulic ankle with the responsive function of our e-carbon foot springs and machined titanium spring. This combination results in a smooth heel-to-toe transition on all surfaces, absorbs ground forces, and provides energetic tibial progression and up to 15° of axial rotation.
- Self-aligning feature provides comfort while standing or traversing varied terrain.
- Independent, hydraulic-controlled plantarflexion and dorsiflexion.
- Hydraulic ankle dorsiflexes, which allows for greater toe clearance in swing phase.
- A dynamic, precision-engineered spring enhances the ankle's fluid movement.
- Foot shell and glide sock included.
Endolite
800.548.3534
www.endolite.com
Accepting Applications Now!
Begin your P&O career at NUPOC! Learn from leaders in the P&O profession! The NUPOC MPO is a 21-month graduate curriculum that prepares you to enter an accredited residency, sit for certification examinations, and become a P&O practitioner.
The online portion of the program includes live and streamed lectures, videoconference discussions, group projects, and case-study sessions that help you learn, apply, and review knowledge.
The on-campus practicum offers supervised opportunities to practice technical and clinical skills with patient models who have neuromuscular impairments.
Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center
Feinberg School of Medicine
NUPOC
312.503.5700
www.nupoc.northwestern.edu
College Park Industries has increased its offerings to include a line of commonly used endoskeletal components. Utilizing knowledge from 25 years of material research and product design, these endo components are carefully engineered for structural integrity and noise abatement. Tested to the highest quality standards, the endo components perfectly complement the performance and outcomes that College Park prosthetic feet are known for.
College Park Industries
800.728.7950
www.college-park.com
Look no further than the ComforGel Liner!
The ComforGel™ Liner has a unique design that sandwiches a specially formulated gel between inner and outer layers of cotton fabric. The stretch fabric allows the liner to conform to virtually any shape and provides exceptional comfort, while the nylon-reinforced distal end offers great durability. The great stretch allows ComforGel Liners to be used for every application. They are available in three- and five-ply and in a variety of sizes to accommodate practically anyone with an amputation.
Comfort Products
800.822.7500
www.comfortoandp.com
Provel offers fast, easy to use, and reliable automation for small clinics as well as large central fabs. The new, soon to be released S1 Scanner allows fast, accurate 3D shape capture with unmatched ease of use and low cost. The C7 Carver is not only fast and precise, its self contained dust collection system is extremely quiet. The T7 Thermoformer, now with IR sensing, consistently produces high quality thermoplastic sockets from industry standard preforms. Two year warranty. S1 and C7 are AOP, OBJ, and STL file compatible.
Provel Inc.
509.857.2009
www.provel.us
The Elevated Vacuum Locking System (EVLS®) is Prosthetic Design's modular push shuttle lock that is conducive for use in elevated vacuum socket systems. When properly fit into the distal void in the socket, the lock acts as a suspension mechanism, connecting the plate and sealing plate that has been designed to hold vacuum levels up to 27 inHg. The EVLS allows for the fabrication of a single-wall thermoplastic socket or a conventional laminated socket. Using ER resin, available from PRS, can eliminate the need for a Vivak®/PETG liner.
Prosthetic Design Inc.
800.459.0177
www.prostheticdesign.com