At times when a specialist may be required, we are pleased to offer the services of our on-staff Board Certified Pedorthist...
prescription services
- Filling physicians prescriptions for footwear and related products
- Sending follow-up correspondence to the physician on what shoes and related products were provided to the patient
- Working closely with the physician to develop an ongoing treatment plan, if necessary
- Modifications to Off-the Shelf Inserts
- Plaster slipper casting
- Custom Foot Orthotics (future)
- Post-Orthotic Testing (future)
- Medicare Part B insurance reimbursement filing (future)
non-prescription services
- Comprehensive Pedorthic Assessment including Gait Assessment, Circulation, Range of Motion, Muscle Strength, Posture and Balance, and Biomechanics
- Static vs. Dynamic Gait Assessment
- Diabetic Foot Screening
what to expect
- Superior customer service
- Experienced, knowledgeable staff
- Respect for all abilities
- Education on how the shoes and related products will function, how they are to be used, and what to expect as you use them
fees?
Currently, there is no charge for appointments with our Board-Certified Pedorthist at Metro Run & Walk for an initial evaluation when referred by a medical / wellness professional or by our own in-store staff.
For people wishing to self-refer, there is a $35 consultation fee that may be applied to a same-day purchase of shoes or other products.
certified pedorthist
We are pleased to report that effective January 1, 2011, co-owner Helen Russell is now a Certified Pedorthist (C.Ped.).
A Certified Pedorthist, or C.Ped. is a medical professional who specializes in the use of footwear and supportive devices to address conditions which affect the feet and lower limbs. Pedorthists work with a variety of people, from athletes to diabetics, promoting foot health, maximum mobility, and comfort.
Metro Run & Walk is the only running specialty store in Northern Virginia with a C.Ped. on staff which allows us to better serve all people, but especially those with more complicated foot issues. If you or a member of your family has complicated issues that need a bit more time, attention, and problem solving, give us a call and request an appointment.
If you are under the care of a podiatrist or medical professional, be sure and mention us since most doctors will appreciate the chance to partner with a c.Ped to keep your lower body healthy and injury-free.
What does a Certified Pedorthist do?
Primarily, a C.Ped will select, make and/or modify footwear and foot control devices to help people maintain or regain as much mobility as possible or to optimize their lower extremity biomechanics. Their scope of practice is typically defined in layperson's terms as the ankle and below.
The services of a pedorthist can be valuable in the treatment of a wide range of conditions. Using proper footwear can be vital for people with conditions like diabetes, for example, to ensure that the feet are supported and comfortable. Pedorthics devices can also be used to increase mobility for people with disabilities, and to handle specific circumstances like partial foot amputations. Many professional athletes also use the services of a pedorthist to help them select the most efficient and suitable footwear for their sports and body types.
Often, a pedorthist works with a podiatrist, a doctor who specializes in the treatment of conditions of the feet. The podiatrist may recommend a pedorthist to a patient, sending information about the patient to the pedorthist so that the specialist can assist the patient with his or her needs. Pedorthists can also work with physical therapists and other support staff to help patients live active, healthy lives.
In addition to working with a range of specialized footwear, a pedorthist can also make custom modifications to shoes, or develop orthotic devices to help a patient with a specific problem. Frequent visits may be recommended to ensure that the footwear still fits and meets the needs of the patient, with the pedorthist making adjustments as necessary.
When ability to walk is affected, everything that surrounds or touches a foot - whether it is foot orthoses (commonly known as orthotics or arch supports), shoes, boots, slippers, sandals, socks, hosiery, night splints, bandages, braces, partial-foot prosthetics, or other devices - interacts with a foot. That makes footwear a crucial part of a recommended treatment plan.
Becoming a C.Ped. requires completing the educational requirements approved by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) and passing a written credentialing exam.
Scope of Practice for an ABC Certified Pedorthist, from the American Board for Certfication in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics
An ABC certified pedorthist is a health care professional who is specifically educated and trained to manage comprehensive pedorthic patient care. This includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, follow-up and practice management. An ABC certified pedorthist fits, fabricates, adjusts, or modifies devices which reflect his/her education and training.
The profession of pedorthics is the provision of patient care and services by or under the direction and supervision of an ABC certified pedorthist to provide the application of a pedorthic device for the prevention or amelioration of painful and/or disabling conditions of the foot and ankle. A prescription is required for any pedorthic device, modification, and/ or prefabricated below the knee orthosis addressing a medical condition that originates at the ankle or below.
Pedorthic devices means therapeutic shoes, shoe modifications made for therapeutic purposes, below the ankle partial foot prostheses, and foot orthoses. It also includes subtalar-control foot orthoses (SCFO) designed to manage the function of the anatomy by primarily controlling the range of motion of the subtalar joint. Excluding footwear, the proximal height of a custom pedorthic device does not extend beyond the junction of the gastrocnemius and the Achilles tendon. Pedorthic devices do not include non-therapeutic inserts or footwear regardless of method of manufacture; unmodified, non-therapeutic over-the-counter shoes; or prefabricated foot care products. Therapeutic devices address a medical condition, diagnosed by a prescribing medical professional, while non-therapeutic devices do not address a medical condition.
The pedorthist certified by ABC is bound by the ABC Code of Professional Responsibility which is enforced by a Professional Discipline program. The certified pedorthist is obligated to support and conform to professional responsibilities that promote and assure the overall welfare of the patient and the integrity of the profession. The time limited certification expires without compliance with the Mandatory Continuing Education program. The practice of an ABC certified pedorthist includes but is not limited to:
Assessment of patients with impairment of movement or musculoskeletal abnormalities that impede their ability to participate in their social environment or other activities to determine a functional intervention. This may include, but is not limited to, the evaluation and documentation of:
- anthropometric data
- cognition
- circulation
- skin integrity and peripheral nerve integrity
- protective sensation
- pain
- respiratory capacity
- biomechanics
- gait analysis with temporal and spatial assessment
- range of motion
- muscle strength
- posture and balance
Formulation of a treatment plan based upon a comprehensive assessment to design an intervention to alleviate limitations and enhance function. Pedorthic treatment includes, but is not limited to:
- verification of prescription/documentation
- evaluation of the prescription rationale
- a needs assessment based on patient and/or caregiver input
- development of functional goals
- analysis of structural and design requirements
- consultation with and/or referral to other health care professionals
Implementation of the pedorthic treatment plan includes but is not limited to:
- acquisition of anthropometric data
- modification and/or rectification of anthropometric data
- material selection
- fabrication of pedorthic devices
- device structural evaluation
- diagnostic fitting
- gait training
- assessment of intervention for appropriate outcomes
- patient education and instruction
- supervision of the provision of care
Utilization of a follow-up treatment plan that ensures successful pedorthics outcomes, patient health and quality of life which includes, but is not limited to:
- documentation of functional changes
- formulation of modifications to ensure successful outcomes
- reassessment of patient expectations
- reassessment of treatment objectives
- development of long term treatment plan
- confirmation of patient education and instruction
- evidenced based practice
Compliance with practice management plans to develop and document policies and procedures to ensure patient protection includes, but is not limited to:
- adherence to applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations
- following patient care guidelines and procedures
- maintaining a safe and professional environment for patient care
- comprehension of claims development and submission
Promotion of competency and enhancement of pedorthic professional practice to contribute to the profession's body of knowledge includes, but is not limited to participation in:
- training of residents/students
- continuing education
- clinical research
- evidence based studies
- promotion of public awareness of the pedorthic profession
- consumer organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations