Feature
The Man Behind the Mask
By Meredy Fullen
Detroit Pistons power forward Richard "Rip" Hamilton garner drew a lot of attention in his team's triumph at the 2004 NBA finals, and much of the hype landed on the clear plastic protective mask that Hamilton wore.
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Feature
Today’s Dreams, Tomorrow’s Reality in O&P Technology
By Paul Prusakowski, CPO, FAAOP
Take a journey through what an O&P practice could be tomorrow, with the use of computer technology that is available today.
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Feature
Low-Temperature Thermoplastic Splints/Orthoses Made by Therapists: An Overview of Current Practice
By Judy C. Colditz, OTR/L, CHT, FAOTA
Therapists who treat patients with hand problemsfrequently use low-temperature thermoplastic materials for theconstruction of hand splints/orthoses 1-9 .Splints/orthoses are used by therapists to meet many differentclinical goals and are altered f...
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Leading EDGE
The “C” in Patient Care Merits an “A” in Marketing
By Patty Johnson
To earn an "A" in practice management, aim for a "C" in patientrelations. That "C" could be translated in several ways--courtesy,compassion, congeniality--but the one that is often the mostdifficult to sustain is a major player in all types ofrela...
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Cutting Edge
Lighter Breast Prostheses Equal Comfort, Benefits
By Mimi San Pedro, CMF
Breast prosthesis weight is an issue that hasevolved in recent years. The traditional school of thought was thatwomen should wear weighted silicone prostheses that are similar inweight to the natural breast to give balance. New research findingsan...
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Industry Leaders
Living Outside the Box: Kaia Halvorson, CPO, LPO
By Jodi Mills
Gracious and affable, Kaia Halvorson, CPO, LPO,speaks with enthusiasm when discussing the future of O&P. Hermindset is such that one would think nothing is impossible. With apositive, determined focus, Halvorson sees endless potential andopportuni...
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Stepping Out
Updating the Medicare Shoe Bill
By Seamus Kennedy, BEng (Mech), CPed
During the past year the Statistical Analysis Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier (SADMERC) and Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carriers (DMERCs) have been busy overhauling portions of the Therapeutic Shoe Bill. These most recent changes...
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Innovations
The New Expectations of the Prosthetic and Orthotic Clinic
By Jennifer Dowell, CPO
With the establishment of the Internet, networks,electronic billing and banking, we find that electronicrecord-keeping and paperless offices are becoming the norm in manyareas of our lives. This evolution of business and officemanagement is now fi...
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Association Spotlight
CAPO Conference Impressive
The Canadian Association of Prosthetists andOrthotists (CAPO) biannual conference is Canada's largest nationalO&P event. According to several exhibitors, 2004 CAPO, held inOttawa, Ontario, Canada, was a very well organized and unitedmeeting, offer...
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Association Spotlight
Turning Dreams to Promises
By Judy Hettinga
Returning to Nashville, Tennessee, after adecade-long absence, the AmputeeCoalition of America (ACA) hosted a record 726 attendees at the14th Annual Educational Conference & Exposition, August 57,making it evident that its mission to reach out to...
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Salute!
We Salute Amputees Across America
Riders assemble for a group shot at Rockefeller Center. From left: Linda Holt, Kip Peavy, Andrew Johnson, Joe Sapere, James Thayer, and Richard Hudon. At 3:00 AM EDT, on August 6, five amputees rodetheir bicycles into Rockefeller Center, New York,...
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Global View
Salford Students Savor ‘White Nights’ Trip to Russia, Finland
By Nina Darke
Salford University P&O students pose at the Prosthetic Museum in St. Petersburg. At extreme right is Dr.
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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
Amy Purdy Takes On Hollywood
By Meredy Fullen
Appropriately nicknamed "Purdygirl" among her circleof family and friends, Amy Purdy has taken Hollywood by storm,making her presence known. Although Amy is a youthful and energetic24-year-old, her spirit is mature beyond her years. She possessest...
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Profile
Mark Harris, RFO, LFO
Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics Fort Walton Beach, Florida What do you remember most about your first day onthe job? Being overwhelmed by dust, plaster, and chemicals. What Is the wackiest thing a patient/client everrequested?
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Perspective
Reimbursement: The Future Is Now
By Paul T. Webber, CPO, FAAOP, ABDA, BOCPO
The American population is growing older. The "babyboomers" are getting to the age where they will increasingly relyon the Medicare system to provide for their orthotic and prostheticneeds. Due to medical and technological advances, peoplewho woul...
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Viewpoints
From the Editor
By Miki Fairley
Take a mind-bending journey through the world oftomorrow's practitioner in the feature article, "Today'sDreams, Tomorrow's Reality in O&P Technology," by PaulPrusakowski, CPO, FAAOP. What's amazing is that most of thetechnology is available today....
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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

Ongoing Care Solutions offers a complete line of
orthotics, including the OCSI AFO (Ankle Foot
Orthosis) Splints starting at $31.00 each!
We offer three types of AFO's to choose from:
- In-Bed AFO BootTM
- Ambulating AFO BootTM (with permanent walking
pad)
- Dual AFO BootTM (with detachable walking pad)
Our AFO's come in either Fleece or Smooth liners and are
available in sizes small, medium, large, and extra large. The
OCSI AFO Splints are SADMERC approved with code
L-4396.
For more information, contact:
Ongoing Care Solutions
800.375.0207
www.ongoingcare.com

Patients with joint trauma or upper motor neuron
deficit affecting the elbow, wrist, or forearm position and/or
function, often have difficulty regaining full supination/pronation
motion with traditional rehabilitation.
Designed specifically to help patients lacking supination and/or
pronation movement, our newly improved Supronation
component addresses this problem by providing active and passive
traction therapy 24/7 in both directions, resulting in better
functional outcome for the patient, at a very economical cost.
The patented Supronation component is
guaranteed for the life of the patient, is custom fabricated using
patient's orthometry measurements, and is delivered in a quick 23
day turnaround.
For more information, contact:
Ultraflex Systems Inc.
800.220.6670
www.ultraflexsystems.com
from SOUTH WEST ORTHOPEDIC DESIGNS
- Less Bulky
- Less Weight
- More Support
- Washable, Breathable
- Abrasion Resistance
- Colors: Beige, Black, Brown & Green
5-7 Day Turn Around on request

The South West Ankle Brace is one
of the leading brands of custom thermo-molded ankle braces made for
non-operative management of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, as
well as many other foot and ankle pathologies.
Clinical Conditions:
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD)
- Ankle arthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- Tibial tendonitis (posterior or anterior)
- Ankle, subtalor, or midtarsal trauma
- Severe pronation or pes planus
- Talocalcaneal varus or valgus
- Post CVA/Polio Syndrome
Suggested L-Codes: L-1960, L-2280, L-2275, L-2820
For more information, contact:
Chuck Eral, CO
480.332.8120
fax: 480.556.9764
ceral1@cox.net
www.pttd.com

WBC Industries has you covered with SPT
Technology Sleeves.
SPT Technology's Carbon Braid Sleeves are
designed to reduce weight and lay-up time on a lamination, while
providing extra strength and rigid reinforcement. The 45-degree
angle and woven tubular shape of the braid allows for easier
angling around irregular forms. When properly engineered, carbon
fiber advanced composites can achieve the strength and stiffness of
metals at significant weight savings.
SPT Technology PVA Sleeves do everything the
high-price brands can do. It's the same polyvinyl alcohol quality
you expect--100 % guaranteed, at a fraction of the cost. The PVA
sleeves are, all 40" in length and 3mm thick (the standard for the
O&P industry).
For more information, contact:
WBC Industries
800.818.2932
www.wbcindustries.com

New and in stock, six bright new colors of
metallic foil laminated brace, belt, strap, and cuff
leather. These 4 1/2 ounce "medium weight"
leathers are perfect for jazzing up cuffs or
straps. If you have a youngster who would like to kick it up a
notch, try one of these new colors; hot pink, bright red, purple,
navy, turquoise, and green.
Call or write for samples:
Waterhouse Leather
1 DeAngelo Drive
Bedford, MA 01730
800.322.1177
waterhouse.leather@juno.com

Spinal Solutions introduces the first, rigid
spinal support system designed to maximize patient compliance while
allowing the practitioner the flexibility to provide an intimate
fit.
The VertiLok features a two-stage closure
procedure that allows the patient to don the orthosis without
assistance. By securing the built in corset first, which is
attached to the posterior panel, immediate abdominal compression is
achieved, and the patient is able to secure the anterior panel
without assistance. In the later stages of recovery, the patient
can be weaned off the rigid anterior panel.
The VertiLok is made of a lightweight,
breathable, and washable material. The orthotic device is MRI
compatible. Removable anterior/ posterior (lined with 3/16"
aliplast), and lateral panel inserts come in a wide variety of
configurations that are heat moldable. The three-point closure
system produces uniform, abdominal compression with just two
straps, which attach to the anterior panel and have large D rings
for better grasping.
The LSO version is easily converted to a TLSO by adding the
optional Posterior Thoracic Extension (PTE) and the Sternal Pad Kit
(SPK). Dorsal Strap Kit (DSK), Hip Spika Attachment (HSA), and
Inflatable Lumbar Chamber (ILC) are also available.
For more information, contact:
Spinal Solutions Inc.
800.922.5155
www.spinalsolution.net

For patients who want a bold new look for their
socket, SleeveArt® by Fred's Legs now offers
laminating sleeves. These laminating
sleeves, made from Lycra® Spandex, are available in a
variety of designs. Fred's Legs makes it easy for practitioners to
simply pull the laminating sleeve over the mold
before final lamination.
Fred's Legs offers three standard sizes (S, M, & L) with
custom sizing available. The sleeves come in a
standard length of 16", are cone shaped, and are unfinished at the
top and bottom. A longer 20" laminating sleeve is available upon
request at no additional cost. All laminating sleeves are priced
the same at $25.
For more information, contact:
Fred's Legs Inc.
954.646.1026
www.fredslegs.com

After 2 years of research and development, Acor
introduces a major enhancement to its comfort footwear line. The
entire line of Acor footwear is now fully lined with a unique
silver fiber called X-STATICTM.
X-STATIC provides the following benefits to the foot:
- Eliminates 99.9% of bacterial and fungal growth in the shoe
within 2 hours
- Binds with ammonia and denatured proteins (the causes of foot
odor) to naturally reduce odor
- Since silver conducts heat and friction, hot spots and blisters
are dramatically reduced
The entire line of Acor footwear has been renamed SOLE
DEFENSE Footwear®. The individual names of each shoe
(Broadway, RiverWalk, Comfort Street, Spring Street, and Activz)
will remain the same.
For more information, contact:
Acor Inc.
800.237.2267
www.acor.com

PEL Supply Company has the new Ratchet
Lock from Becker Orthopedic, in stock and available for
immediate shipment. According to Becker, the Ratchet
Lock is designed to promote full knee extension by
providing knee stability to the user through an incremental range
of knee flexion. The joint features a secure, semi-automatic
locking mechanism that can be quickly and easily disengaged. The
variable flexion knee lock has ten different locking positions in
nine-degree increments.
PEL Supply will ship the Ratchet Lock fully
assembled in adult and child sizes. There is a choice of aluminum,
stainless steel, or titanium round edge uprights.
For more information, contact:
PEL Supply
800.321.1264
www.pelsupply.com

OPTEC Inc. introduces the ATL
Hyperextension Brace. The strong yet lightweight aluminum
design can be easily modified to provide a custom fit. The height
and circumference of the ATL braces can be
instantly adjusted to conform to your patient's body dimensions and
fit well under their clothing.
ATL Features:
- Soft pads cradle the pectoral/sternal region eliminating
impingement to the neck region while providing comfortable firm
support.
- Universal & adjustable dual front closure design reduces
rotation when donning brace.
- Slotted bars allow for quick and easy custom fit.
- Gender adaptable to accommodate both female and male
patients
Available in 3 designs:
- ATL-SPK (Anatomical Sternal Pad Kit)
- ATL-STD (Standard Sternal/Pubis Kit)
- ATL-PPK (Pectoral Pad Kit)
For more information, contact:
OPTEC Inc.
888.982.8181
www.optecbrace.com

Fillauer LLC announces the King Pin
Lock.
- Stronger than many popular locking knee joints
- Stainless steel joint
- Accepts stainless or aluminum uprights
- No lubrication required
- Novel enclosed lock prevents debris from building up in
mechanism
- Sleek appearance
- Improved durability
For more information, contact:
Fillauer Inc.
800.251.6398
www.fillauer.com

CPI's new Adjustable Stride
Control allows prosthetists to customize an individual's
gait without the need to change soft components. The Stride
Control adjuster, located on the back of the foreheel,
determines preload on the bumpers. Convenient adjustment, from the
top or the side, increases or decreases resistance.
Key benefits of the Adjustable Stride
Control:
- Adjustment of plantar and dorsiflexion resistance
- Fine-tunes the feel of the foot without having to change
bumpers
- Available on TruPer®, VentureTM and
TributeTM feet

Align perfectly the first time, and every time,
with College Park Industries' Adjustable Stride
Control.
For more information, contact:
College Park Industries
800.728.7950
www.college-park.com

Prosthetics Research Specialists Inc. introduces
E-R Resin, a new type of two-part Epoxy blended
resin. E-R Resin works just as well under water as
it does with no moisture present. This means no more fuzzy
laminations due to wet casts or PVA bags that were not dried
properly.
E-R Resin is heat adjustable so you can make
future adjustments. Per ASTM Standards, at independent lab testing,
it was by far the strongest of the four popular resins we tested.
Best of all, E-R Resin works out to be the most
economical, and offers a 14-minute working time.
For more information, contact:
Prosthetics Research Specialists Inc.
800.952.6744
www.prostheticsresearch.com

The original gold standard attachment kits from
ProAdvantage® just got better with
ClickLockTM--an audible locking
mechanism that enhances patient safety and security.
Fully tested, the new ratchet mechanism was subjected to a
pulling force strong enough to cause the suspension liner to detach
from the patient's limb, yet the ratchet mechanism held. The
ClickLock features a positive one-way clutch
offering maximum safety from loss of suspension due to clutch gear
reversal or slippage. Even if the clutch fails, the ratchet can
suspend loads in excess of 300 pounds.
ClickLock comes standard in all 600 and 650
series kits (replacing the ProAdvantage 500 and 550 kits). The
ClickLock cartridge is retrofittable into
ProAdvantage 500 series attachment kits and many other similar kits
including AlpsLocks and SPS 500 kits. The cartridge is available
separately.
Breg Products

Cascade Orthopedic Supply now offers customers
access to the Breg orthotic product line,
including the X2K knee brace (shown) with its diamond design for
ACL and PCL support.
Well known in the orthopedic industry, Breg
products are well made and properly designed to fit. In addition to
the X2K brace, Cascade can supply post-op braces, soft bracing,
PTOs, and upper extremity bracing. The new Polar Care continuous
cold therapy systems come in a variety of sizes. Accessories are
also available.
For more information, contact:
Cascade Orthopedic Supply
800.888.0865
www.cascade-usa.com