Current Pedorthics www.pedorthics.com Volume 39, Number 1 January/February 2007 PFA’S 2006 Symposium Wrap-Up CONTENTS January/February 2007 PFA: A Year in Review, A Glimpse of the Future 12 Features Pedorthic Management of Arthritis Departments 6 Thinking Outside the Shoebox: Answers to Pedorthic Marketing Questions 16 Preview for Pedal Pushers 18 Bad Break: Avoid World-Class Footwear Injuries 20 PFA’s 2006 Symposium & Exposition A Huge Success 24 Association News 28 Vendor News 32 Pedorthic Industry Events 36 Government Affairs 38 Pedorthic Marketplace 46 New PFA Members 48 Pedorthic Product Reference 50 On the Cover: PFA members enjoy a memorable symposium. The 2006 event featured a sold-out exhibit floor. December 2006/January 2007 • Current Pedorthics 3 Editorial Staff Jay Strother ..............................................................................................................Publisher Dennis Coyle ................................................................................................................Editor William Wargo............................................................................................Design/Production Advertising & Services Brian K. Lagana ..........................................................................................Membership Sales Brian K. Lagana..........................................................................................Current Pedorthics Monica Karlemann ........................................................................................PFA Symposium Pedorthic Footwear Association Board of Directors Randy Stevens, C. Ped., President Dane LaFontsee, C. Ped., Vice President Kristi Hayes, C. Ped., Secretary/Treasurer Mike Forgrave, C. Ped., C. Ped. (C), Immediate Past President Jamie Dick, PT, C. Ped., Director Arthur Smuckler, C. Ped., Director Michael D. Veder, C. Ped., CO, BOCO, Director Faith Ballard, C. Ped., CO, Director Alan Barthold, C. Ped., Director Harlon Compton, C. Ped., CO, Director Liz Chiles, C. Ped., Director Stuart L. Pressman, C. Ped., CO, Director Paul A. Chromey, C. Ped., DPM, Director David Solomon, Vendor/Manufacturer Member Liaison Allan J. Weiner, Legal Counsel Brian K. Lagana, Executive Director David J. Levine, DPM, Medical Advisors Craig Young, MD, Medical Advisors Raymond L. Fritz, Medical Advisors Pedorthic Footwear Association 2025 M St., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036. Telephone: 202-367-1145 or 800-673-8447, Fax: 202-367-2145 Current Pedorthics (ISSN 1552-8111) is published bimonthly by the Pedorthic Footwear Association (PFA), 2025 M St., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036. Telephone: 202-367-1145 or 800-673-8447, Fax: 202-367-2145, Web site: www.pedorthics.org, E-mail: info@pedorthics.org. Copyright© 2007, PFA. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission. Letters to the Editor and other unsolicited material are assumed intended for publication and are subject to editing. Articles in CP do not necessarily reflect the opinion of PFA, its Board of Directors or its employees. CP’s use of trademarked names is done in an editorial fashion intended to benefit the trademark owner, with no intention of trademark infringement. Subscriptions are available for $45 per year in the United States ($65 outside USA). Back copies, if available, may be purchased for $ U.S. 5.00. If you have any questions regarding display advertising or classified ads, please e-mail CPadvertising@pedorthics.org. Please send all Prodcut News press releases to CPeditorial@pedorthics.org. 4 Current Pedorthics • January/February 2007 Headquarters Staff Executive Director Brian K. Lagana Senior Association Assistant David Lind Director of Education Al Baggett Education Assistant Andrea Tsupros Meetings and Conventions Manager Audra Franks Exhibits and Sponsorship Coordinator Monica Kurlemann Membership Recruitment and Retention Al Lehtonen AD Page Name: Aravon/New Balance Location: Page 5 Pickup: October/November 2006; page 5 PEDORTHIC MANAGEMENT OF ARTHRITIS By Theresa Rubinas D o you have joint problems including pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage and surrounding structures? Does it hurt to walk or move? Such damage can lead to joint weakness, instability and visible deformities that, depending on the location of joint involvement, can interfere with the most basic daily tasks. Arnold Davis, C. Ped., presented “Pedorthic Management of Arthritis” during the Pedorthic Footwear Association’s 48th Annual Symposium & Exposition. Davis, who founded Davis Shoe Therapeutics in 1977, spoke from his experience in the industry and discussed how people can effectively manage the often painful and uncomfortable stress of arthritis. Davis focused on three types of arthritis, their affects and pedorthic objectives to alleviate or amend the pain. The three types of arthritis include the following: • Osteoarthritis (DJD) – This type of arthritis is local, not systemic, but it can involve several joints. The changes are degenerative, and they are caused by wear and tear, time, overuse or poor mechanics. Pedorthics works to prevent compensation through different methods. When the immobility is in the sagital plan joints including metatarsal phalangeal joints (MPJs), Lisfranc, ankle or knee, the affected person may wear rockerbottom soles. Pedorthic management of arthritis is crucial in caring for and treating some of the painful symptoms of arthritis. What can pedorthics do for you? • • • • • • Stop painful motion; Prevent compensation (can lead to pains elsewhere); Align joints so they function on their axis; Facilitate forward motion; Diffuse areas of high pressure; and Improve stability and balance. Davis noted different pedorthic modalities work to ease the pains and frustrations noted in the above list. These products and devices come in many forms to suit your particular needs. They include: • • • • • • Over-the-counter comfort footwear; Foot aids and orthotic devices; Therapeutic modifications to footwear; Ready-made in-depth footwear; Custom-made and molded footwear; and Ankle foot orthoses. Davis said that painful consequences often accompany arthritis. The upside is that you can often find a way to alleviate some of the suffering. Symptoms vary from person to person. Fixed or Immobile Joints When this arthritic symptom occurs, often a person will search for ways to compensate to avoid having to use these joints. When you compensate, ultimately you end up injuring or weakening other limbs or joints in the process. • Rheumatoid Arthritis – This type of arthritis is a systemic disease. It has an autoimmune component and is characterized by profound deformities of the hands and feet. Rheumatoid arthritis is both chronic and destructive. Pedorthics works to prevent compensation through different methods. When the immobility is in the sagital plan joints including metatarsal phalangeal joints (MPJs), Lisfranc, ankle or knee, the affected person may wear rocker-bottom soles. • Traumatic Arthritis – This type of arthritis is caused by external trauma to a joint or joints. It can cause joint dysfunction and rigidity. It induces compensation. It is associated with chronic pain and nerve entrapment. Rocker-bottom soles can be as beneficial to mechanical control of painful foot disorders as foot orthotic devices. While foot orthotic devices address problems of frontal ARTHRITIS continued on page 8 6 Current Pedorthics • January/February 2007