Feature
Spina Bifida: Proper Care Helps Kids Have High Quality of Life
By Sherry Metzger, MS
The Doyle family. Four-year-old Michael Doyle of Phoenix, Maryland, races his twin brother Christopher around the local zoo, and long after Christopher's energy fades, Michael asks to go see the polar bears. As Christopher sinks into the oversized...
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Feature
Relief for Growing Pains: Expandable Internal Prostheses for Children
By Judith Philipps Otto
The idea of internal prostheses for children isn't new. For more than 20 years, surgery to remove bone cancer tumors from pediatric patients often has included an implant to replace the missing bone in the child's arm or leg-a welcome alternative...
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Feature
Research Study to Look at P.A.P. Cranial Helmet
By Miki Fairley
The P.A.P. (Plagiocephalic Applied Pressure) Cranial Remolding Orthosis developed by Fit-Well Prosthetic & Orthotic Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, will be the focus of a study later this year in collaboration with Primary Children's Medical Center,...
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Feature
Paralympic Athletes Travel Glory Road
By Miki Fairley
The 2006 winter Paralympic Games in Torino, Italy, began and ended in a blaze of glory. From March 10-19, participating athletes provided examples of hope, integrity, and courage that touched the world.
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Frustrated Mothers Come Together for Shoe Solutions
By Tina Eichner
Hilory Paster, VP Sales & Marketing; John Wall, PT, CPO, FAAOP; Lori Watson, Founder & President. Children: Samuel Paster, Hilory's son and William Watson, Lori's son. Driven by the challenge of findingfunctional, durable, comfortable, and fashion...
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Today's Consumer
Duncan Wyeth - Waging War on Disability Concerns
By Judith Philipps Otto
When Duncan Wyeth, executive director of theMichigan Commission on Disability Concerns, investigates issues ofconcern to those with disabilities, draws thoughtful conclusions,and makes his recommendations, he tends to truly grasp thesubstance and...
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Shop Talk
A Quick, Easy Way to Save Time and Money: Sealing Nylon Vacuum Socks
By Jack Pranzarone CP, LP
I would like to share with you a discovery I made afew months ago. Heat Wheel Sealer Having begun my career over 20 years ago as atechnician, I still have a slight bend toward the technical side ofthe house. Being extremely picky about quality wo...
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Progress on Parity
ACA Working to Advance Prosthetic Parity
By Morgan Sheets
To take on the critical challenge of advancinginsurance parity, the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) launchedthe Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL). At the beginning of January, key ACA staff met to finalize acampaign plan for 2006. W...
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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 iformative column will helpproviders and th...
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Practitioner Profile
Five Questions for John Izak, CPO
John Izak is an orthotist/prosthetist withOrthologix in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The practice is heavilyfocused on pediatrics with 95 percent of its orthotics work forpediatric patients. Orthologix specializes in difficult cases anddoesn't do a...
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Perspective
Mentoring Matters
By Jeff Frederick, MS, CPO
Japanese culture reveres its elderly, whileAmericans seem to view them quite differently. Why? Perhaps thefact that we are a younger culture has something to do with it.
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Viewpoint
From the Editor: Pediatric Innovations Bring Hope, Healing to Families
By Tina Eichner
I often wonder how different life might have beenfor my family. In 1968 my parents and my older brother awaited theApril birth of their second child. Tragically, a 2½-lb.
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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.
- Stabilizes the ankle area, talocalcaneal,
midtarsal, and subtalar joints
- Creates circumferential medial and lateral
stability
- Improves mobility and lower-extremity
stability
- Cost-effective option to surgery
Contact Chuck Eral, CO, for more
information:
South West Orthopedic Designs
15905 Greenway Hayden Loop, Suite
103
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480.332.8120 " fax: 480.556.9764
ceral1@cox.net " www.pttd.com

The Earthwalk" 2 Foot and Ankle
combination from Ohio Willow Wood provides level 1 and level 2
amputees comfort and durability without the weight. Features
include:
- Stability
- Natural foot and ankle motion
- Low combined product weight of 643 grams&lighter than the
Endolite/Blatchford Multiflex!
- The redesigned multiaxial Earthwalk 2 Ankle
with cushioned stop and no annual maintenance requirements
With the flexible keel of the Earthwalk 2 Foot
and the stability provided by the Earthwalk 2
Ankle, low-activity amputees can move around with
confidence.
For information, contact:
Ohio Willow Wood
800.848.4930
www.owwco.com

Our high-tech look eliminates the stitching and
provides a stronger bond. AFO Pads can be ordered
in beige or white. Our three sizes: 1-in., 1 ½-in., and 2-in.
are sealed in packages of ten.
Also available in packs of five, our AFO Strap
Kits include our new pads which will enhance your
patient's comfort and add to your convenience. Priced at less than
conventional stitching.
For more information, contact:
The Ortho Remedy Inc.
210.943.3900
www.orthoremedy.com

A new Pediatric Plantar Fasciitis night
brace, manufactured by BOLT Systems, is now available from
PEL Supply. According to BOLT, the new night splint features
adjustable dorsi-assist straps, as well as a non-slip pad for
walking. The liner is washable, and the universal brace will fit
either left or right leg. Contact PEL for information on the
Pediatric Plantar Fasciitis night brace, or any
pediatric products from BOLT Systems.
For more information, contact:
PEL Supply Company
800.321.1264
www.pelsupply.com

Blake Barlow, CP, FAAOP, has patented a
one-piece utility garment with dual purpose:
fashion and function for amputees. Barlow, a sportsman, amputee,
and ACA member, created the design to provide a smooth transition
from traditional underwear and the separate application of a
residual limb sock.
The functional advantages are a 75-percent reduction in
pinching, bunching, slipping, sliding, rotation, pistoning, and
having to remove the prosthesis to recover the limb sock. The
garment helps decrease skin problems caused by ground reaction
forces transmitted via two separate garments.
The garment, with a custom-design sportswear look, may be
custom-fitted by your prosthetist. Swimwear and leisure wear
available.
For more information, contact:
Genuine Care Rehab
405.604.5907
www.prostheticfashions.com

You can order the ORIGINAL
ToeOFF® from SPS. Distribution
agreements with the current manufacturer of the
ToeOff assure SPS has full availability of this
unique product for all US customers.
The Original ToeOFF is a thin, lightweight
carbon and Kevlar®- reinforced Dynamic Response
Gait Rehabilitation Orthosis. It has helped tens of thousands of
people cope with footdrop evidenced as a side effect of stroke,
multiple sclerosis, polio, and other neurological illnesses.
ToeOFF® differs significantly
from other products designed for footdrop. The open-heel design and
anterior approach facilitates a more normal biomechanical chain
reaction, reducing stress on proximal joints.
For more information, contact:
SPS
800.767.7776
www.spsco.com

OrthoLux" from Hope Orthopedic,
distributed by SPS, is a patient-friendly LSO/TLSO producing better
outcomes through increased compliance. Its moldable
Kydex® inserts in anterior,
posterior, and side panels can be reshaped with a heat gun for
sagittal and coronal spinal control.
The OrthoLux is:
- ConformableSeven sizes may be mixed and matched for best
possible fit. Unisex version comprises male back and female front
for near-universal fit.
- Excellent ControlAnterior and lateral bending tests demonstrate
significant reduction in both sagittal and coronal motion.
- AdaptableFour styles of Extender", a low-profile
TLSO add-on, are available for applying high-profile sternal or
pectoral pressure as needed.
For more information, contact:
SPS
800.767.7776
www.spsco.com

To celebrate, all orders are 25 percent off* for a
limited time.
Evolution custom liners can be made from a
negative cast, positive cast, or AOP file. Designed by a certified
prosthetist, standard liners are made in three business days.
Different thicknesses and designs are available on request.
Available in cushion and pin configuration, Evolution
Custom Liners are made from a unique medical-grade
silicone that keeps them fresh and odor free.
Send casts to: 40 West Illiana Street, Orlando, FL 32806, or
e-mail your AOP to: liners@evolutionliners.com
*based on regular list price
For more information, contact:
Evolution Liners Inc.
407.839.6213
www.evolutionliners.com

SPS introduces the new line of medipro knee
joints.
The OH5SF is designed for multi-speed
ambulation and higher impact levels. It employs a geometric lock
making it virtually impossible to collapse in full extension during
heel loading. NEW IKF Adapter provides adjustable stance flexion
without activating knee joint function.
OH6SF offers the same features for amputees up
to 300 lb.
The OFM1SF knee offers adjustable stance
flexion in a 4-bar polycentric joint design with swing-phase
control for either manual friction OR manual locking.
OFM2 is a 425-gram monocentric knee for use
both as a locking joint with manual release and a free-swing knee
joint.
For more information, contact:
SPS
800.767.7776
www.spsco.com

Freedom Innovations now offers the
Pacifica" LP Prosthetic Foot, a new and
improved addition to the company's Freedom Series" line. The
Pacifica LP Prosthetic Foot offers the same great
features as the original Freedom Series FS 2000, in a lower profile
design with less than 2-in. of clearance required. The split-toe
carbon fiber design is ideal for K3/4 level amputees with long
residual limbs seeking a dynamic energy-returning foot that is
lightweight and durable. Freedom Innovations offers a 60-day No
Risk Trial Period and a 36-month warranty on the Pacifica
LPProsthetic Foot.
The foot also is distributed through SPS; call 800.767.7776.
For more information, contact:
Freedom Innovations
888.818.6777
www.freedom-innovations.com

Freedom Innovations offers its most affordable
advanced prosthetic solution to date, the Senator"
Prosthetic Foot. The Senator is a
lightweight, economical, energy-returning foot that shares
composite engineering features with the company's advanced Freedom
Series prosthetic foot products. Truly sophisticated simplicity at
its best, the Senator is designed for low to
moderately active K3 amputees. The foot is not pre-bonded to foot
shell, unlike other products in this category, allowing clinicians
to easily access the foot module. The Senator is
sold with a 24-month warranty; the foot cover has a six-month
warranty. The Senator also is distributed through
SPS; call 800.767.7776.
For more information, contact:
Freedom Innovations
888.818.6777
www.freedom-innovations.com

The SKINERGY Cosmesis from
RSLSTEEPER is now available through Knit-Rite Inc. Manufactured
using Tufsil 2, the latest innovation in silicone polymer
technology, SKINERGY provides extremely
high-level
cosmesis, incorporating a unique seamless finish.
SKINERGY provides improved tear resistance with
up to 25-percent stretch, accommodating even bulbous sockets.
Besides regular finish, SKINERGY is available in enhanced "True
Finish"--a unique process featuring micro-pigmentation embedded
within the silicone layers for added depth and realism. SKINERGY
for both split toe and closed toe designs is available in a range
of 12 color shades; nails can be hand-painted to complete the
realistic finish.
For more information, contact:
Knit-Rite Inc.
800.821.3094
www.knitrite.com

With many new products on the market today,
keeping up can be difficult. We want to make it easier for you to
use and understand our products. For those using central
fabrication services, we are establishing the Coyote
Certified Fabrication Network. We are teaming up with the
best fabrication companies in the business and providing exclusive
training and updates on our products to ensure they are very
familiar with their use and fabrication. Their abilities, along
with special training and updates on our products, allow them to
guarantee the highest quality fabrication with the highest quality
products.
For more information, contact:
Coyote Design
800.819.5980
www.coyotedesign.com

CareCredit® has developed a new,
revised patient presentation chart to make it
easier for enrolled practices to present financing during the
discussion of fees and payment options.
Featuring a fresh new look and feel, the new patient
presentation chart provides details on CareCredit's
popular No Interest and Low Interest Payment Plans, including
estimated monthly payment examples that patients can use to
determine the plan that will work best for them. The
presentation charts are available to enrolled
practices at no cost and are a part of CareCredit's practice
resource center, which includes promotional, marketing, and patient
education materials.
For more information, contact:
CareCredit
800.300.3046
www.carecredit.com

Ongoing Care Solutions/NeuroFlex Inc. offers a
complete line of orthotics, including the COKO Orthotic
Knee Orthosis!
Available in Small, Medium, Large, and Extra-Large, the
COKO Knee features removable/inflatable bladders,
which provide low-stretch therapy. The removable KWIK-SET"
flexion/extension hinges control and maintain desired degrees; an
optional knee cap control pad is available. The COKO
Knee is SADMERC-approved for Code L-1847.
AND--
The NEW ORTHO PRO" STABILIZER"
Knee Orthosis!

This new design is an ambulating neoprene knee
support and features breathable neoprene with front wrap closures
for easy application. KWIK-SET" hinges allow for full ROM--no tools
required.
Suggested HCPCS code is L-1832.
For more information, contact:
Ongoing Care Solutions
800.375.0207
www.ongoingcare.com

The improved Maple
Leaf" Orthosis offers a re-designed,
anatomically contoured proximal section to provide greater control
of the lumbar spine and pelvic region. The improved pelvic design
also allows for ease of adjustability. The hip joints have been
offset to provide greater clearance, while the updated thigh cuffs
provide greater leverage for abducting the patients hip. In
addition, the new Maple Leaf is now offered in
extra-small to accommodate the smallest of patients.
For more information, contact:
Becker Orthopedic
800.521.2192
www.BeckerOrthopedic.com