L-Codes: Why We Use Them and Why I Share My File

Someone once said, “In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice; in practice, there is.” I learned years ago in Northwestern’s P&O program that when you design a prosthesis or orthosis, you aspire to three things: weightlessness, invisibility, and insensibility. Over time, I learned that while those unachievable goals are good to bear in mind as you make the device as light as possible, as cosmetic as possible, and as comfortable as possible, my instructors had omitted one vital and achievable goal: It is mandatory that your product receive favorable reimbursement.