Dear Mr. Loke –
I snipped your reply to the recent KAFO question out of the summary….it
appears below. My post is in reference to your post….
I am currently seeking an orthotics residency position so I have not become
a certified orthotist YET, but I am a mechanical engineer and a KAFO wearer.
My experience working in this industry has been short lived so far – I
finished the Northwestern program in May, and completed NCOPE’s clinical
requirement for the orthotics certificate about a month ago…. I am
watching the industry and how you guys do business so that I can figure out
where I fit. The kind of information you have given us in the post below is
a sales pitch, not the kind of information professionals exchange between
professionals. Certainly there is no way that the three shops you mention
would be able to service the entire population of KAFO wearers who stand to
benefit from your revolutionary advancement. Rather than selling a product,
why not write an article describing the biomechanical principles your system
utilizes along with fitting and manufacturing parameters… hell, even sell
componentry that is necessary to fabricate your system …..and let all
orthotists (at least those who care to read JPO) learn about your system and
thereby advance the quality of care for the whole industry? I would imagine
that you will NOT lose business – there are enough people who insist on
going to “the source” rather than to those who learn from “the source” who
would end up in your offices, but the exposure you would gain would be
invaluable to your business! Why do we have to be so proprietary about our
methodologies?
I understand that the number of orthotists available to service the patient
population is much smaller than the number of orthotists available. There’s
plenty of work to go around….
I’d like to know more about this revolutionary KAFO. I’m about to build
myself a new one – maybe I could incorporate some of the lessons you have
learned into my new one! My next KAFO could be a “Loke KAFO!” After all,
second to profit, aren’t we all in the business to improve the quality of
life of those people who come through our doors?
Sincerely,
Karen Steele, MS, PE, CO Wannabee
____________
We believe we have such a KAFO. We have developed a new orthotic system
that will create a paradigm shift in the future. Only three centers are
presently fitting these new advanced systems. One is in Las Vegas, Nevada,
USA the second is in Vancouver, BC, Canada and the third is in San Diego,
California. The new systems can control the leg and body so much better. We
guarantee a structural outcome, no other system can provide this.
Our new systems are based on very complex principles. The outcomes are
clearly showing improvements that most of these people dream about and are
looking for. Our systems can allow for an unlocked knee, even with those
who have zero quads and are presently wearing a locked system. We are
eliminating or greatly reducing gross b ody compensations. People can
walkmuch more efficiently, with less energy.
We also have systems with energy response capabilities, to add a spring or
life back in ones step. Our systems can help most lower extremity needs.
Sincerely,
Marmaduke Loke, C.P.O.
(858) 268-7000
