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<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nDevelopmental Flatfoot<\/strong><\/p>\n Developmental flatfoot is one of\u00a0the most common conditions affecting\u00a0the musculoskeletal system of children\u00a0and teenagers. There is a tendency to\u00a0under-treat or ignore a child\u2019s flatfoot\u00a0unless it is severe. Developmental flatfoot\u00a0is the precursor to serious foot\u00a0dysfunction and often results in some\u00a0level of disability in the adult foot.\u00a0Recognizing this anomaly early in life\u00a0can prevent joints and musculoskeletal\u00a0issues later in life.<\/p>\n For age ranges 1-4 years old, a\u00a0child most likely will have a flatfoot.\u00a0This is considered normal. The two\u00a0treatable \u201cfoot\u201d issues for this age\u00a0range, whether or not a flatfoot is involved,\u00a0are a) the degree of calcaneal\u00a0valgus or heel eversion and\/or b) the\u00a0milestone\/gross motor impairment\u00a0created from a poor foot\u00a0type\/egregious flatfoot causing ankle\u00a0instability. A child with a significant\u00a0finding of calcaneal eversion will\u00a0severely toe out walk and will look For age ranges 4-10, a child\u2019s foot\u00a0should not have a flatfoot appearance.\u00a0This is an important message to\u00a0impart to parents. A child in this age\u00a0group who stands with a flatfoot\u00a0should be treated with an orthotic.\u00a0Once again, just like in a younger\u00a0child, flatfeet at this age may not present\u00a0with pain. Typically, pain is a\u00a0rare symptom of a poorly functional\u00a0foot type between the ages of 4-10.\u00a0More commonly, children will experience\u00a0balance, coordination, stural,\u00a0or strength issues.<\/p>\n As early as 4 years old, kids will\u00a0begin to show their disinterest in running\u00a0sports. They may not know why\u00a0they don\u2019t \u201clike\u201d running sports, but\u00a0they do know that their body is at a\u00a0Figure 2: A Pediatric patient is observed during a For kids 10 through 12 years old,\u00a0an over-the-counter deep heel\u00a0cupped orthotic is a great tool to\u00a0have at a screening. Orthoses should\u00a0incorporate a deep heel cup, high\u00a0medial and lateral flange, medial\u00a0rearfoot posting. and a medial skive.\u00a0You can show kids and parents instantly\u00a0what good foot correction\u00a0looks like. If a child exhibits a rotational\u00a0deformity, gait plates are also\u00a0available over-the-counter to demonstrate\u00a0to patients.<\/p>\n Once a child hits the age of 10,\u00a0we as clinicians cannot necessarily\u00a0treat kids as adults, but most of the\u00a0time the child\u2019s foot type can be\u00a0grouped into its final adult foot type\u00a0category. We know that genetic\u00a0makeup dictates a large component of\u00a0one\u2019s foot type. There are a variety of\u00a0foot types, but in general, all foot\u00a0types can be sorted into six major categories.\u00a0It is important to know exactly\u00a0what foot type is involved before\u00a0orthoses are prescribed. Each foot orthosis\u00a0should be designed specifically\u00a0for one\u2019s foot type. In some cases,\u00a0one\u2019s left and right foot may not have\u00a0the same foot type, and you will need\u00a0two different types of orthoses.<\/p>\n The Quadrastep system of foot\u00a0typing (www.thequadrastepsystem\u00a0.com) is an easy-to-use tool for determining\u00a0which of the six foot types\u00a0your patient has. This system will\u00a0allow you to meet all of your patients\u2019\u00a0orthotic needs, particularly\u00a0when patient finances are an issue.\u00a0Additionally, patients can leave the\u00a0clinic wearing these prefabs, immediately\u00a0benefiting from the clinic. Alternatively,\u00a0casts can be made during\u00a0the clinic for those patients who cannot\u00a0be fitted with prefabs, and can\u00a0return at a later time for final fitting.\u00a0In addition to a day filled with dispensing\u00a0orthotics, you will add to\u00a0your list of recurring patients who\u00a0will seek your attention for many\u00a0years to come.<\/p>\n Here is a quick how to:<\/p>\n Pre-Planning<\/strong><\/p>\n Pre-Planning involves a series of\u00a0steps to plan and prepare for a successful\u00a0clinic:<\/p>\n \u2022 Pick a mid-week date that will\u00a0include hours after 5 PM for working\u00a0parents, or consider a Saturday. Notification<\/strong><\/p>\n Getting the word out to the public\u00a0is a necessity! There are many potential\u00a0avenues of promotion. Some are\u00a0simple and can be activated immediately.\u00a0Don\u2019t assume, just because you\u00a0are running a clinic, parents will find\u00a0out on their own and show up. Keep\u00a0promotional announcements brief and\u00a0to the point, expressing FREE foot\u00a0exam for Kids. Examples include:<\/p>\n \u2022 Use newspaper Ads. Cost-effectiveness\u00a0will vary based on location. At your office facility, use signage,\u00a0take home reminders, mentioning\u00a0at desk (do you know about our\u00a0upcoming Kids Clinic?) Have your\u00a0staff ask adult patients if they have\u00a0kids or grandkids that might benefit\u00a0from the upcoming free foot exam.\u00a0Set up registration by calling a\u00a0number, or going to a registration\u00a0web page. For call-ins, try to schedule\u00a0an appointment to manage patient\u00a0flow. Walk-ins should be accepted\u00a0but reservations will get preference\u00a0for a free exam.<\/p>\n Clinic Day<\/strong><\/p>\n Be sure your receptionist is prepared\u00a0to welcome clinic parents. Have\u00a0a registration sheet handy for contact\u00a0information that includes the question,\u00a0\u201chow did you hear about the\u00a0clinic?\u201d This will tell you about the effectiveness\u00a0of each notification\u00a0method. Be sure to get e-mail addresses.\u00a0Since there will be walk-ins,\u00a0have staff on notice that they may be\u00a0called for assistance. Have brochures\u00a0or an overview sheet in the reception\u00a0areas for those waiting.<\/p>\n Follow-Up<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Be sure to contact each parent\u00a0attendee within a week following the\u00a0clinic, by phone or email. Foot Screening Process<\/strong><\/p>\n Your initial exam may be exactly\u00a0what you typically perform on a daily\u00a0basis with your patients who come to\u00a0you with complaints of biomechanical\u00a0foot pain or gait abnormalities. Of\u00a0course, this will include discussing\u00a0with the parents or guardians their\u00a0primary concerns that prompted their\u00a0appointment with you. Some of the\u00a0more common conditions you are\u00a0going to be presented with in children\u00a0under the age of 10 are flexible pes\u00a0planus, developmental flatfeet,\u00a0\u201cgrowing pains\/tendinitis\u201d, and Severs.\u00a0The majority of these conditions\u00a0can often be treated with a pre-fabricated\u00a0device that offers a deep heel\u00a0cup with a few degrees of medial\u00a0posting and skive.<\/p>\n Starting with the size based on\u00a0foot\/shoe size of your patient, you\u00a0can simply check the fit to the foot\u00a0just as you would a custom device\u00a0with the end of the shell just proximal\u00a0to the apex of the 1st MPJ for maximal\u00a0control. Adolescents from the age\u00a0of 10 and up have often developed\u00a0their adult foot type and have completed\u00a0any de-rotation that is going to\u00a0occur within the foot. At this age and\u00a0foot size, the patient may be ready for\u00a0fitting with prefabs such as the\u00a0QuadraStep adult orthotic system.\u00a0The system will allow you to fit most\u00a0feet from the most severe cavus foot\u00a0type to the most over-pronated foot\u00a0type. With a quick weight-bearing\u00a0screening, looking at features such as\u00a0medial longitudinal arch height, toesign\u00a0and angle of gait, you can quickly\u00a0narrow your orthotic selection\u00a0down.<\/p>\n In summary, these complimentary\u00a0pediatric screening clinics can increase\u00a0your patient base for years to\u00a0come, create \u201cfamilies\u201d of patients,\u00a0allow you the opportunity to dispense\u00a0prefabricated devices on the spot creating\u00a0an increased cash flow, create\u00a0opportunities for an \u201coutgrowth program\u201d,\u00a0and will earn you recognition\u00a0as a pediatric specialist in your community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here\u2019s how to create a one-day pediatric foot-screening clinic at your own office BY LOUIS J. DECARO, DPM There are millions of parents\u00a0out there who are concerned\u00a0about how their\u00a0child runs or walks. The\u00a0problem for you is that\u00a0they are told by countless professionals\u00a0to do nothing, or sometime worse,\u00a0they are referred to the wrong specialist.\u00a0The problem is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nolaro24.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nolaro24.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nolaro24.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nolaro24.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nolaro24.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/nolaro24.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":112,"href":"https:\/\/nolaro24.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109\/revisions\/112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nolaro24.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nolaro24.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nolaro24.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nlike he or she has a collapsed ankle\u00a0and severe flatfoot. Most often, the\u00a0parent will note a coordination issue,\u00a0postural issues, and\/or trouble progressing\u00a0with ambulatory milestones.\u00a0In addition, if the child has a significant\u00a0amount of heel eversion or valgus,\u00a0a child\u2019s core strength may be inhibited.\u00a0This can impede a child\u2019s\u00a0normal milestone gross motor development.\u00a0A child may be doing early\u00a0intervention but since the foundation\u00a0is so or, the PT may not \u201cstick\u201d as\u00a0well as if a child has a better-supported\u00a0foundation. This \u201cfoundation\u201d (or\u00a0orthotic) is usually temporary and\u00a0used to achieve more rapid gross\u00a0motor achievement.<\/p>\n
\nscreening clinic.\u00a0disadvantage. A thorough history of\u00a0the \u201csocial choices\u201d a child makes is \u00a0an important part of the evaluation\u00a0process. At this age, orthoses mostly\u00a0still control the heel valgus and should\u00a0only be rearfoot posted. The forefoot is\u00a0still in its \u201cformative stages\u201d.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Be sure ample staffing is available\u00a0to call on if needed.
\n\u2022 Have enough prefabs in stock to\u00a0dispense during the clinic. Always\u00a0have at least a sample of each size to\u00a0try on.
\n\u2022 Be prepared to cast or scan during\u00a0an exam.
\n\u2022 Set a date with at least 4 weeks\u00a0advance notice.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Mail postcards to your patient\u00a0list: Keep it brief and to the point.
\n\u2022 Distribute flyers in local supermarkets,\u00a0children\u2019s stores, etc. with\u00a0tear off tabs.
\n\u2022 Set up a registration page on\u00a0your website. Be sure to emphasize\u00a0that walk-ins are okay.
\n\u2022 Use hometown websites\u00a0(patch.com may be helpful, depending\u00a0on availability and local usage).
\n\u2022 Referring Health Professionals\u00a0(local pediatricians, other MDs,\u00a0DPMs, PTs, etc.).
\n\u2022 Leave information in local children\u2019s\u00a0stores.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Get opinions to help improve\u00a0the next clinic\u2026. would they attend\u00a0again, what day\/time of day would\u00a0have been better, etc.?
\n\u2022 Start building a parent database\u00a0for the future. You may want to\u00a0schedule a Children\u2019s Clinic on a regular\u00a0basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.)\u00a0and if you save contact information\u00a0on an ongoing basis, your email and\u00a0mailing database will become an effective\u00a0promotional tool.
\n\u2022 Remember, children who start\u00a0using orthotics early will return for\u00a0next sizes several times, and will\u00a0eventually become part of your adult\u00a0patient base.<\/p>\n