It’s finally that time of the year, THE HOLIDAYS!! It’s also the end of the year, so it’s a good time to offer a special deal on some of your remaining stock that you might want to get rid of to make room for next year’s stock. Have a sale on that case of toenail fungus gel that has been sitting in your store room.
A lot of our customers start now to offer a deal on QUADRASTEP® and littleSTEPS® orthotics for the holidays. It’s a great time to offer something like: Buy 1 pair of orthotics, get a second pair for 1/2 price! Or Buy a Pair ofQUADRASTEP®orthotics for just $99!
Get littleSTEPS®foot orthotics for $50
– whatever falls in line with your practice’s pricing guidelines.
Do an email blast, post a flyer in your office, or send a holiday card to your patients with an offer or coupon inside. Post a coupon code on Facebook, tweet it, just connect to your patients in any way that works for you.
Don’t forget to stock up on QUADRASTEP® and littleSTEPS® orthotics during our End of the Year Restocking Sale going on now! It’s a great time to stock up and use your end of the year budget to save on taxes. For info on the sale, call Bert Parsloe at 203.725.6179 or call to order 877.792.4669.
As the end of the year is closing in on us, we are reminded that many of us need to complete continuing education units. Nolaro24 offers 2 NEW Live 1.5 Hour Webinars That Will Revolutionize The Way You Look At Feet!
2 Contact Hours Each, $95 Each, take BOTH for $175!
Pre-approved for Scientific Credits by ABC
This webinar will provide an introduction to functional foot typing and gait analysis utilizing a simple 4-Step method of visual gait assessment. The presentation will give an overview of 24 variations of the “normal” adult foot, and protocols for classifying feet into 6 major subgroups or “Quads”. This 4-Step Foot Typing method is quick and easy to learn and will offer the practitioner a biomechanically based approach to gait assessment and foot classification. The participant will learn that each “Quad” presents with specific foot traits, such as arch height, toe sign, callouses, and gait pattern; which can predispose a patient to a particular array of clinical conditions. Participants will be required to complete and submit a post webinar quiz and course evaluation for CEU eligibility.
This webinar will explain the rationale and importance of early intervention when treating children diagnosed with pediatric flat foot. The presenter will discuss common myths related to the treatment (or lack thereof!) of childhood foot disorders and why ‘blind neglect’ is not the appropriate course of treatment. It will provide the participants age specific protocols to help them determine when treatment intervention is necessary, and tools for educating parents and referring practitioners on the importance of early management. This session will review why ‘pain’ should not be the only consideration when determining whether or not to treat a child, and why other factors such as posture, strength, endurance, coordination and balance should be given equal attention. Torsional deformities and toe walking are reviewed with an explanation on the use of gait plates. One of the most commonly injured parts of the body in adolescents is the foot and ankle, particularly those involved in sports. More than 2.6 million children are treated in the emergency department each year for sports and recreational-related injuries. Therefore it is prudent to understand functional foot types that may predispose youths to particular pathological conditions and risk of injury. This webinar will educate the participants on an easy to learn 4 step method of identifying 6 functional foot groups by examination of gait. It will also teach about particular musculoskeletal pathologies common to each group, and how to biomechanically manage each group using a prefabricated orthotic selection process. Treating the pre-teen and adolescent [foot type] before the injury happens is the best form of prevention, while eliminating the chance for repeated, chronic injuries that could potentially have long term implications later affecting them in adulthood. Participants will be required to complete and submit a post webinar quiz and course evaluation for CEU eligibility.
Approved by ABC for 2 Category 1 Units for Certified Pedorthists, Certified Orthotists, Orthotic Assistants, Orthotic Technicians and Orthotic Fitters. Participants must complete and pass a post-webinar quiz for credits to be awarded.
Dr. Louis DeCaro at the 2017 Western Massachusetts annual Down Syndrome Buddy walk
On September 30th, 2017 the DeCaro Total Footcare Center joined up with the American College of Pediatric Foot & Ankle Specialists to sponsor the 2017 Western Massachusetts annual Down Syndrome Buddy walk. Over 800 attended the walk. ACFAP President Dr. Louis DeCaro was present to screen the participants for biomechanical issues associated with Down syndrome. “The combination of ligamentous laxity and low muscle tone in a majority of those diagnosed with Down syndrome contribute to a lifetime of orthopedic problems. Screening the feet as early as possible is imperative for successful prevention of these issues, “ said DeCaro. The Buddy Walk was established in 1995 by the national Down syndrome society to celebrate Down syndrome awareness month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.
The Down Syndrome Patient
In a patient diagnosed with Down syndrome, there are a multitude of concerns which may be present involving the heart, digestive system, spine, eyes, intellect, joints and mobility. Individuals with Down syndrome typically have problems with collagen, which is the major protein that makes up ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bone, and the support structure of the skin. This creates significant laxity from the feet up, thus beginning at a young age the lifelong destruction of the kinetic chain. “Almost all of the conditions that affect the bones and joints of people with Down syndrome arise from the abnormal collagen found in Down syndrome.” The resulting effect in 88% of the Down syndrome population is hypotonia, with ligamentous laxity and/or hyper-mobility of the joints. The combination of this ligamentous laxity and low muscle tone contribute to orthopedic problems in people with Down syndrome.
Within the feet, the most common foot problems which can be found in the Down syndrome patient are “digital deformities, hallux abductovalgus, pes plano valgus, metatarsus primus adductus, hyper mobile 1st ray, brachymetatarsia, Haglunds’ deformity, syndactaly and Tailors bunion.” Genu valgus and subluxation and/or dislocation of the patella are another concern due to this condition. Hip and spinal issues are often seen as well.
Overall laxity of the feet has been reported in 88% of children with Down syndrome. This percentage is far higher than in those without, yet often their feet are ignored. The primary medical diagnosis seems to trump the importance of good foot health. They should not. All medical issues should be addressed.
Specifically the Feet
Typical foot type in those with Down syndrome: The D foot type (neutral forefoot with compensated rearfoot)
Many patients with Down syndrome have flat feet due to this laxity, which will not cure itself. We need to screen for this early. This troubling flexible flat foot can be spotted at a very young age. Unlike with many children though, this flat presentation does not go away by the age of three but continues, causing foundational destruction to the rest of the body as the years go on. Your young Down syndrome patients have an inability of the heel bone to come out of eversion. When that happens, the arch, the ankle, and inevitably the rest of the body stay flat and become “dragged down” toward the midline. This causes many kids with DS to have trouble sustaining good strength when they stand and building good core musculature.
Typical foot type in those with Down syndrome: The F foot type (rigid forefoot varus with compensated rearfoot
This “collapse” will impair normal external rotation of some long bones of the body, which leads to multiple postural changes. When physical therapy is called upon to strengthen the child, failure or delay of achieving a strong kinetic chain is inevitable. You can’t build on a poor foundation! Not only will the structure not support it, but due to poor foot alignment, the muscles during the exercises may not even fire.
