Letters

Plastazote Top Choice'

I read your recent articles debating the merits of Plastazote® and P-Cell". After reading Ross Marty's article, it would seem that P-Cell is the greatest thing to come to O&P in decades. In taking a closer look, Mr. Marty is judging Plastazote as a "standalone" (no pun intended) material, while Dr. Keller is presenting the merits of Plastazote as a "top layer" to other materials. 

In my practice, Plastazote is the top choice.

Here's why I like it: Plastazote is "friendlier" to the diabetic foot when calluses are involved. It molds easier and is more cushioned. It must be used with the proper materials, such as PORON® and Puff®. My favorite for diabetic feet is the combination of 1/4" Plastazote with 1/16" PORON and a bottom layer of 1/8" Puff. I have found that P-Cell is too hard and has a "rubbery" feel that seems to make it warmer and less comfortable. 

No practitioner would use standalone Plastazote when so many new tri-laminates are available. You still can't beat Plastazote as a top cover, even after many years on the market. 

Jeff Reser, CPed, BOCO

Discussions Non-Scientific

I found both discussions rather misleading and non-scientific. Nothing presented in either discussion advanced our knowledge of [the] science that is sorely needed in the orthotic community, but especially in foot orthotics.

You cannot ask the manufacturers of a product to objectively study the product. They clearly left out alternatives to both their products. I have found SoleTech's Ultra-Cloud to be superior for high shock absorption needs over anything else. I quit using Plastazote® over ten years ago. I asked for a sample of P-Cell" last March but never received it.

Harvey Johnson, CO

Presenting Both Sides

I just got my copy of The O&P EDGE and read both stories on Plastazote® and P-Cell". Thank you for presenting both sides of the story to practitioners so that they can make an informed choice when choosing a material.

Well done!

Josie Genovese
Director, Orthotics & Prosthetics Market
Apex Foot Health Industries Inc.

Table Of Contents - February 2004

	Advancing O&P Education: How Are We Doing? In talking with educational experts and O&P professionals closest to the subject, one can't help realizing that there is "buzz," enthusiasm, anticipation, positive energy--and above all, there is real PROMISE in the record of what's been happening recently and what's going forward already in 2004 with regard to O&P education. Feature
	ABC/BOC Unification Discussions: Will They Impact O&P Education? Feature
	New Professional Standards To Enter O&P: A Plan Feature
	Socket Design for Use with the Harmony® System Shop Talk
	Teenage Football Player Overcomes Cancer, Amputation Today's Consumer
	Got FAQs? Got FAQs?
	Helping a Teenage Assassination Attempt Survivor: Seeds of Change? Salute!
	Hanger RFD: Helping Colombia’s Poor and Desperate Salute!
	Paraplegic Conquers Catalina Channel “Don’t think about what you can do—think about what you want to do. And start trying to do it.” Sports Page
	Healing Hands for Haiti Minnesota Team
	Arrival in Haiti
	Day 1: Kay Kapab Klinic
	Day 2: Serving Two Orphanages
	Day 3: An Amazing Boy
	Day 4: It's Getting Interesting...
	John Russell, CP Profile
	Applying Dr. Kubler-Ross’ Theory to Amputation Perspective
	Letters
	O&P: A Passionate Profession Viewpoints
	Day 5: A great finish