Feature
O&P Education Reaching Master's Level and Beyond
By Miki Fairley
Despite upheavals, turmoil, and changes in the U.S. and international healthcare arenas, O&P education is revved up and moving ahead. All of the current O&P practitioner programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educa...
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Innovations
Nonsurgical Treatment for Bone Cancer
By Morgan Stanfield
Osteosarcoma, the most common primary bone cancer,strikes about 900 people per year in the United States, 400 of themchildren. According to the American Cancer Society, its five-yearsurvival rate is only 60-65 percent, and in the three years after...
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Perspective
Academy Guidelines Can Help Educate Researchers
By Edward S. Neumann, PhD, PE, CP
To help researchers conduct studies that advance evidence-based practice (EPB) in O&P, the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy) has developed State-of-the-Science Evidence Report Guidelines. These guidelines propose a seri...
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Education Outlook
A Week in the Life
By Michael Carroll
Where do I begin? Should I tell you about my firstdays in the St. Petersburg College (SPC) O&P program, or aboutthe depths to which I've already been exposed to anatomy andphysiology for O&P?
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Sports
The CAF SDTC: More than a Race...an Experience
Fifteen years ago, a group of friends held a triathlon fundraiser in La Jolla, California, to help disabled endurance-sports legend Jim MacLaren regain his independence after a devastating accident. Soon after, they formed the Challenged Athletes...
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Face to Face
Five Questions for Harry Layton, CPO, LPO
Harry Layton, CPO, LPO, has been working in O&P since he pushed a broom around his father's shop in Lawton, Oklahoma, at age 11. Now, at 53 years old, Layton can count himself as a clinician, business owner, inventor, university guest lecturer, an...
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Got FAQs?
Got FAQs? - Billing and Collections Q&A
By Lisa Lake-Salmon
Running an O&P practice iscomplicated. When you have a question, count on "Got FAQs?" to getyou back on track. This month's column tackles your questions aboutquality guidelines for the provision of diabetic shoes, L-Coderesources, claim denials,...
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Progress on Parity
ACA Calls on Activists to Mobilize
By Morgan Sheets
Second annual lobby day to be held in Washington DC,March 9 and 10. During the recent election cycle, much was made ofour country's healthcare crisis. Its challenges are certainly feltby many of the almost two million amputees across the United St...
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Viewpoint
Change Is Afoot
By Karen Henry
A few weeks ago, the world watched the United States make history by electing its first black president. "Change has come to America," President-Elect Barack Obama said on November 4 before an estimated crowd of 240,000 people in Grant Park, Chica...
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EDGE Direct Sponsored Story
Evolution Custom Silk Liners...Because Everybody’s Different
Designed by a certified prosthetist, Evolution Silk customliners fit the exact needs of each user. Evolution Silk liners aremanufactured from a unique medical grade silicone that keeps theliner fresh and odor free. Cushion and locking designs area...
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Correction from The O&P EDGE
In the December 2008 issue of The O&P EDGE , one of the answers in "Got FAQs?" contained incorrect information. The question asked was, "I have always been a non-participating provider with Medicare, and my enrollment period is coming up. What are...
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Now you can have a choice. OPTEC is offering the
revolutionary Stealth and
Vertamax orthoses in new, appealing colors. The
Stealth and Vertamax will be
offered in white and beige respectively. Both spinal systems will
continue to be available in black.
The Stealth and the Vertamax
continue to offer superior support and comfort, which your patients
deserve. Call today for a free 30-day trial sample of the
Stealth and Vertamax.
OPTEC
888.982.8181
www.optecusa.com

Ossurs new Flex-Foot® Assure
is the perfect solution for diabetic and vascular amputees, as it
incorporates basic Flex-Foot technology, which
allows for a soft, smooth rollover, creating a stable gait with the
benefits of dynamic response. The Assure, designed
specifically for slower walkers, incorporates an active heel and
full-length keel that work together to protect the vulnerable sound
limb. The simply designed, simple-to-fit Assure
restores symmetry, reducing impact on the sound side and allowing
basic ambulators to take advantage of premium technology that
is just right for them.
Ossur Americas
800.233.6263
www.ossur.com

The new Black Iron Trainer is a
lighter version of the heavy-duty, high-performance Black Iron
Master. While the Black Iron Trainer is smaller
and lighter in weight, it is capable of handling the wide range of
handle diameters that are encountered in modern fitness and
exercise facilities.
The completely manual operation and positive locking and
unlocking design provides uncompromising security and stability for
bench pressing, dumbbell flys, dead lifts, pull-downs, and more.
The Black Iron Trainer, with a load-rating of 440
lb., also carries a smaller price tag than its larger cousin.
TRS Inc.
800.279.1865
www.oandp.com/trs

Three external locks, available
from PEL Supply, offer Fillauer function and quality in a new
modular design, suitable for use with any 36mm threaded
adapter.
Using high-strength titanium cores, each lock offers a 300-lb.
weight rating. The External Shuttle Lock uses the
same simple, rugged, tool-steel lock insert found in other Fillauer
shuttle designs. The clutch insert has a greater density of
engagement teeth and a left-handed thread to avoid loosening. The
adaptable Razor lock is an ultra-thin
nickel-plated design with through holes to allow any number of
distal attachments.
PEL Supply Company
800.321.1264
www.pelsupply.com

Integrating a dynamic pylon, the multiaxial
OnyxTM Foot allows active users to
demand more. Highly customizable with four degrees of
plantar-dorsiflexion Angle Control" and adjustable Stride
Control® for fine-tuning gait, the sleek Onyx
Foot delivers balanced energy with ideal comfort and
enhanced terrain compliance.
Key benefits of the Onyx Foot include:
- Dynamic pylon foot.
- Superior terrain compliance.
- Precision gait matched for out-of-the-box performance.
- Adjustable Stride Control to fine-tune foot stiffness from heel
strike to heel off.
- Three-year warranty.
- Onyx balanced energy, ideal comfort.
College Park Industries
800.728.7950
www.college-park.com

Model 1017 is a modular, lever-lock knee joint
with a locking mechanism that will automatically engage when the
joint reaches full extension. The modular design increases
manufacturing options and allows for easier maintenance of the
orthosis. The long, angled lever is easily operated by the patient
and can be shortened or contoured to suit individual needs.
Model 1017 comes with an optional anterior
pull-cable that allows the patient to simultaneously disengage both
locks by pulling on it.
Becker Orthopedic
800.521.2192
www.beckerorthopedic.com

Our new Universal Attachment
Plate is meticulously machined from Nylon 66 material,
making the unit extremely light and strong. The attachment plate
far exceeds torque recommendations, due to a full ¾-in.
threaded four-bolt pattern. The helical sidewall configuration
makes this unit ideal for diagnostic, laminated, and thermoplastic
socket attachments. It comes equipped with the necessary screws,
and the price is out of this universe.
The Ortho Remedy
800.662.7993
www.orthoremedy.com

The Alpha® Flex Sleeve
features Kevlar®-reinforced Alpha gel for greater durability,
greater puncture resistance, and greater abrasion resistance, while
still providing increased range of motion.
Alpha Flex Sleeve fabric is highly flexible and
provides comfort and flexibility when wearing. Designed to use with
the LimbLogicTM VS, the Alpha Flex
Sleeve is also compatible with traditional suction and
locking suspension methods.
An interior polyurethane pad at the socket brim line provides
extra protection for sleeve longevity. Available in black and buff
fabric. The sleeve has a 90-day warranty.
Ohio Willow Wood
800.848.4930
www.owwco.com

With one of the largest and most extensive
selections in diabetic and orthopedic footwear, stepping out in
style and color 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, prefab diabetic inserts, and other
products pertaining to diabetic foot management. We guarantee value
pricing, huge product selection, and a commitment to excellent
service that you have to experience to believe. Our 2008 catalog is
available.
Apis Footwear Co.
888.937.2747
www.bignwideshoes.com

The BRAE Orthosis manages
forearm-rotation contractures using a static, progressive
stretching protocol. The orthosis treats forearm contractures
caused by upper-extremity fractures and injuries. Forearm rotation
is adjusted by means of a dual-offset channel with a patented
overlapping,adjustable rotation component.
Benefits:
- Maintains post-surgical forearm rotation positioning.
- Decreases substitution that can result from misalignment of the
mechanical to anatomical axis for forearm rotation.
- Maintains static progression of infinite positions in both
supination and pronation.
- Controls forearm rotation position while allowing free motion
in the sagittal plane.
Becker Oregon
800.866.7522
www.beckerorthopedic.com

Friddles Orthopedic is proud to now offer the
Royal Flush line of socks from Royal Knit. These
wonderful socks stretch in both length and width, are form fitting,
andthe best partare simply wash and wear. The Royal
Flushsocks are latex free, resist
shrinking, and are odor and mildew resistant. They are offered with
and without a distal rubberized reinforced opening. Visit us online
for pricing.
Friddles Orthopedic Appliances
800.528.9339
www.friddles.com

Brightree is a proven solution that gets you paid
faster and manages all aspects of your business better than ever.
Brightree is the only solution of its type endorsed by VGM and
OPGA.
Brightree includes the following features:
- State-of-the-art data center: secure, Internet-hosted platform
and automated IT management.
- Billing: real-time Medicare eligibility; automated eClaims;
on-demand EOBs; and remittance management.
- A/R management.
- Patient scheduling.
- Patient management.
- Inventory management.
- Retail sales.
- Reporting.
Brightree
888.598.7797 x5
www.brightree.com

This unique new liner protects against bacteria
that cause odor. By using the natural antibacterial effects of
Sanitized® silver, the SiliconGel Liner 6Y75
preserves the material, helps improve hygiene, and protects against
odor.
The SiliconGel Liner is durable yet soft and is
ideal for people who meet low to moderate activity levels.
Available in 15 sizes, it is ideal when used in combination with
6A30 or 6A20 shuttle locks and is retrofittable with the current
SiliconGel 6Y70 liners. Contact your local sales representative to
find out more!
Otto Bock HealthCare
800.328.4058
www.ottobockus.com

Allsport WristTM products help restore
functional and structural characteristics of the wrist that have
been negatively affected by injury. All Allsport
Wrist models are designed to enable patients to return to
activities sooner, while reducing the risk of reinjury, even in
activities with a high incidence of wrist trauma. The patented
biaxial articulating hinge system limits extension and flexion, as
well as ulnar and radial deviation. The open-palm design is
comfortable and limits the obstruction of the patients grip. The
rigid dorsal frame provides stability and support. Available in
custom and off-the-shelf models.
Allsport Dynamics
800.594.5350
www.allsportdynamics.com

The Smart Adaptive is an MPK for
K3-K4 active amputees with a moderate to high level of voluntary
muscle control. The new Smart programming mode
reduces programming time. Using hydraulics for stability and
pneumatics for efficient swing control, the Smart
Adaptive learns how amputees move to allow greater
confidence during locomotion.
The Smart Adaptive includes the following features and
benefits:
- Gives support for stairs and slopes.
- 140-degree knee flexion.
- Stumble and support mode.
- Stanceflex for comfort and smooth progression through the gait
cycle.
- Amputee may use any foot of his or her choice.
Endolite
800.548.3534
www.endolite.com

The OFM2-HD boasts an innovative
combination of friction-brake and manual-lock features. Easy
conversion between functions allows changes between K1 and K2
activity levels.
Key features of the OFM2-HD:
- Single-screw adjustment makes functional conversion simple and
quick.
- Friction brake can be adjusted to release before toe-off for
smoother ambulation.
- Internal extension-assist eliminates noise and hassle of
external spring systems.
- Lightweightonly 425g.
- Enhanced braking-system durability provides reliable response
for the K2 amputee weighing up to 275 lb.
See page 31 for details on our OFM2-HD
promotion!
Medi USA
800.633.6334
www.mediusa.com

The new Lyn Valve RV
SLIDETM by ESP is compact, reliable, and easy
to use. The RV SLIDE provides reliable
auto-expulsion with the added feature of maintained, hands-free
operation. Simply slide the operator button in any direction, and
the valve stays open, eliminating back-pressure for easy prosthetic
donning and doffing.
The RV SLIDE includes the following
features:
- Auto expulsion with ½-psi release pressure.
- Great for both AK and BK applications. Perfect with Seal-In
liner.
- Audible "click" indicates manual operation; "click" back to
center position restores auto-expulsion function.
- Install in ANY socket material.
ESP LLC
888.932.7377
http://wearesp.com

Designed for children who wear a cranial orthosis,
Knit-Rites new Infant Cranial Interface is used to
protect the skin, wick moisture, control rashes, and guard against
dermatitis. If skin eruptions occur, changing interfaces two or
three times a day and washing the head area and garments daily are
helpful. Available in Mullet and Balaclava styles and in both
anti-microbial CoolMax® and X-Static®.
Knit-Rite Inc.
800.821.3094

Dycors ADL-LCD Lisfranc/Chopart Energy
Returning Foot provides maximum flexibility and
resiliency, strength of attachment, and anatomical support of
hindfoot, with minimum weight (12.5 oz. with foot shell, 26cm med)
and socket clearance (3/8 in. including foot shell).
The forefoot is horizontally split into five segments to
maintain the same degree of forefoot flexibility, regardless of
medial and lateral shift of the floor reaction. Integrated carbon
fiber "tie-ins" around the heel portion of the keel are epoxied
directly to the end of the socket, forming a stronger lap joint
between the heel segment of the keel and the prosthetic socket.
Dycor
800.794.6099
www.dycormfg.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

Acor Quikstrip® Wheels are
sheets of materials in easy-to-use wheels. The 4½-in.-wide
strips are available in many different material combinations.
Quikstrip Wheels improve fabrication efficiency,
minimize wasted materials, and decrease the bulk of flat sheets.
The protective dispenser box keeps materials clean and dust-free
and reduces damage to the product. Perfect for making foot
orthotics.
Knit-Rite Inc.
800.821.3094

Matthew Dobbs, MD, designed this new
dynamic clubfoot bar to allow active movement,
preserve muscle strength in the foot and ankle, and be less
restrictive to the child than traditional fixed-bars. Children
using the Dobbs Bar can crawl and kick their legs
independently.
Children will sleep better because they can get comfortable in the
DobbsBar, and heel blisters
commonly associated with fixed bars are no longer a problem. The
Dobbs Bar is adjustable from 8 to 14 inches to
accommodate growth; no need to buy replacement bars. The foot
plates are universal and can be attached to shoes and AFOs. The
results are better compliance, a more active child, and happier
parents.
D-Bar Enterprises LLC
314.968.8555
www.dobbsbrace.com
- Immediate cash: plan your future.
- We solve business issues, allowing you to focus on your
patients.
- We are not a broker, buyout fund, or corporate CPA.
- We are well-funded, have experienced O&P management, and
are focused on creating a great company.
- If you are interested in finding a partner to run the business
side of your practice, contact us. All discussions are
confidential.
BridgePoint Medical
859.260.8576
http://bp-medical.com/page8.php

These seam-free, wrinkle-free AFO and KAFO socks
for kids now come in pink, purple, blue, grey, and black, as well
as traditional white. SmartKnit KIDS AFO and
KAFOsocks feature a "heelless"
design to ensure a perfect fit every time. Each sock is knit with
CoolMax®, polyester, or X-Static®the silver fiber with
spandexfor superior moisture wicking and antimicrobial properties
to inhibit bacteria for improved skin health and odor control.
Knit-Rite Inc.
800.821.3094