Certified Pedorthist
What is a Certified Pedorthist (C.Ped.)
Certified Pedorthist (C. Ped) is assigned to individuals who have completed the required training through education and clinic experience, and have passed the Pedorthic Certification exam. Individuals who have met the above requirements must comply with mandatory continuing education programs in order to maintain this certification.
A 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. Pedorthists often consult with patients based on a referral from a prescribing healthcare professional such as a family physician, orthopedist, podiatrists, and are integrated members of health care teams.
The American Board for Certification , BOC International and the College of Pedorthics of Canada enforce their professional code of ethics for all members regardless of the country they choose to practice in.
A Certified Pedorthist can assist in:
- Alleviating painful or debilitating conditions of the lower limb;
- Accommodation of foot deformities;
- Re-alignment of anatomical structures;
- Redistribution of external and internal forces;
- Improvement of balance;
- Control of biomechanical function;
- Accommodation of circulatory special requirements; and,
- Enhancement of the actions or limbs compromised as a result of accident, congenital deformity, neural condition, or disease.
Assessment
- The evaluation and documentation of: Biomechanics;
- Gait analysis including temporal and spatial assessment;
- Range of motion;
- Footwear analysis;
- Review of potentially complicated health factors;
- Circulation;
- Skin integrity;
- Pedorthic requirements;
- Proprioperception and environmental barriers including social, home and work integration.
Formulation of a treatment
- The evaluation and documentation of: Biomechanics;
- Gait analysis including temporal and spatial assessment;
- Range of motion;
- Footwear analysis;
- Review of potentially complicated health factors;
- Circulation;
- Skin integrity;
- Pedorthic requirements;
- Proprioperception and environmental barriers including social, home and work integration.
Implementation of the treatment plan
- Acquisition of / modification and/or rectification of anthropometric data;
- Casting and measuring for custom footwear and/or orthotics;
- Material selection and fabrication;
- Fitting and adjusting orthoses (sometimes called orthotics);
- Fitting and modifying standard and orthopedic footwear;
- Accommodating/incorporating complementary assistive devices;
- Fabrication of pedorthic devices;
- Device structural evaluation;
- Patient education and instruction.
Follow-up treatment plan
- 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.