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FAQ About Pedorthist |
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Q) WHAT IS A CERTIFIED PEDORTHIST? AND WHY SHOULD I SEE ONE? A) A certified pedorthist, or C.Ped. (pronounced SEE-ped),is a specialist in using footwear- which includes shoes, shoe modifications foot orthoses and other pedorthic devices – to solve problems in or related to, the foot and lower limb. When a foot requires medical attention, footwear becomes a factor in the patient’s treatment, recovery or rehabilitation. It’s a team approach: While the doctor treats your foot, the C.Ped. Addresses your footwear needs. Q) HOW DOES THE TEAM APPROACH WORK? A) When appropriate, doctors refer patients to specialists-and C. Peds are specialists in using footwear to address lower-limb –related problems and pathologies. Certified pedorthists understand the properties of footwear, and the interaction between the patient’s foot and shoe. C. Peds are also skilled at evaluating feet and fitting footwear. After your physician has determined what kind of assistance your footwear should provide for you, a C.Ped . Can fill the prescription. Q) WHAT DO C. PEDS ACTUALLY DO? A) They select and modify footwear (or make it , if necessary) to help people maintains or regain as much mobility as possible. When your ability to walk is affected, everything that surrounds or touches your foot-n whether it’s foot orthoses, shoes, boots, slippers, sandals, socks, hosiery, night splints, bandages, braces, partial-foot prosthetics or other devices – interacts with your foot. That makes footwear a crucial part of your recommended treatment plan. Footwear adjustments can be made inside or outside a shoe. Foot orthoses, also called orthotics, are an important component of footwear that can accommodate, support or relieve specific function. In addition to designing and fabricating and appropriate orthotic, a C.Ped . Can provide you personalized attention in selecting, fitting and modifying shoes so that you can wear the orthotic effectively. C.Peds follow up to make sure the footwear functions as your doctor prescribed. A footwear prescription, like any other prescription, takes into account your medical history, activities of daily living, and treatment goals. Q) WHAT KINDS OF PROBLEMS DOES A FOOTWEAR PRESCRIPTION ADDRESS? Q )WHAT QUALIFIES SOMEONE TO BE A C.PED A) People coming in to pedorthics study foot and lower limb anatomy; pathology; biomechanics, which involves human locomotion; gait analysis; footwear fitting, lower extremity orthotic design, fabrication, and materials; shoe construction and modification; and patient / practice management. In addition, most seek non- academic experience under the supervision of a certified pedorthist to familiarize themselves with pedorthic approaches, terminology and techniques. After studying and being mentored, they attend specific pedorthics courses which are prerequisites for their certification examination. C. Peds maintain their certification by following Continuing Education and renewal requirements. Q) MY FEET SOMETIMES BOTHER ME, BUT I DON’T NEED A DOCTOR, I JUST NEED MORE COMFORT IN MY SHOES. CAN A C. PED HELP WITH THAT? A) Yes. Many people can benefit from pedorthic devices or footwear modifications to make these shoes more comfortable. Pedorthics ( PEH-DOR-THIX) Is the design, manufacture, modification and fit of footwear to alleviate problems caused by disease, overuse, congenital condition or injury The world “ pedorthics” first appeared in medical dictionaries in 1980, although the field itself began to emerge in the late 1950s, after World War II and an outbreak of polio created a need to deal with foot trauma through footwear. Q) WHERE CAN I FIND A C.PED? A) At its web site, www.cpeds.org, the Board for Certification in Pedorthics maintains a Directory of C.Peds. Many of them are in private practice; others work at hospitals, clinics, shoe stores or other facilities, if you don’t have a computer at your home or office, check with your local library for web site assistance. This information is taken from the brochure What is a Pedorthist? Printed by the Pedorthic Footwear Association. PEDORTHIC FOOTWEAR ASSOCIATION
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