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What's a Pedorthist?
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| To Understand what a Pedorthist is, you must first understand what PEDORTHICS is, please read on! |
What is Pedorthics?Pedorthics is the design, manufacture, modification and/or fit of footwear, including shoes, orthoses and foot devices, to prevent or alleviate foot problems caused by disease, congenital defect, overuse or injury.
What's a Pedorthist?
A Board-Certified Pedorthist is an individual who has studied foot anatomy and pathology, biomechanics, shoe construction and modification, foot orthoses fabrication and materials, footwear fitting, and patient/practice management, and who abides by BCP's Code of Ethics outlining responsibilities to the patient, the physician, the public and the profession. For C.Peds, hands-on training in the field is also part of their learning process.
The Certified Pedorthist is an essential professional in foot health care! The Certified Pedorthist works in concert with physicians and other allied health professionals such as orthotists, prosthetists, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and nurses in the "team approach to foot health care."
The doctor provides the prescription from which the Certified Pedorthist designs and fits the prescribed therapeutic footwear for the patient. The Certified Pedorthist fabricates custom Orthotics using either computer aided design and manufacturing techniques or the traditional method of taking casts of the patient's feet. The Certified Pedorthist also evaluates footwear on the patient to assure optimum fit, function, and workmanship. He or she advises patients in the proper use of prescribed footwear and related devices, and is an integral team member in a comprehensive, well-coordinated program of care.
Areas of expertise within the field of Pedorthics include: Adult foot deformities, Amputations, Arthritis, Congenital deformities
Diabetes, Geriatrics, Overuse injuries, Pediatrics / rotational disorders, Polio / Post-polio, Sports-related injures, Trauma, or any type of foot deformity which requires Pedorthic footwear modifications.
Certified Pedorthists are innovators in the development and use of new techniques and materials in footwear, foot orthoses, and shoe modifications. Pedorthic professionals test and strive to improve the methods used to enhance foot health. New technology within the Pedorthic industry is changing the profession daily. Automation and high tech development can be found in an array of computer-based techniques and tools are the catalysts that attract hundreds of people to the Pedorthic profession. From computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to three-dimensional cast modeling and biomechanical evaluation, patients are offered the aesthetics and function of traditional, handcrafted, quality footwear and/or orthotics with the speed of manufacturing and technology with computerization.
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What is PFA?
The Pedorthic Footwear Association (PFA), founded in 1958, is the not-for-profit organization representing professionals involved in the field of Pedorthics. PFA's mission is to increase knowledge and understanding of Pedorthics and its practice, to encourage development of new Pedorthic tools and techniques, and to foster the professional development of Pedorthic practitioners.
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What is BCP?
The Board for Certification in Pedorthics (BCP) is an independent certification body that sets Pedorthics standards, and is itself recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
BCP serves two primary roles, determining whether individuals and facilities meet national standards for the practice of Pedorthics and serves as the public's guardian regarding standards of Pedorthic practice. Certification assures the health care professions and the public that a Pedorthist is qualified to fabricate and fit prescribed footwear and related devices. Facility accreditation recognizes that the physical location where Pedorthics is practiced includes the necessary staff, records and resources (such as inventory, equipment, fitting room and workshops) to perform Pedorthic work on premises in a timely fashion.
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