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From the Editor: Innovation—Making Life Easier
By Miki Fairley Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is
doing new things. -- Theodore Levitt, professor
emeritus and former editor, Harvard Business Review.
 Both creativity and innovation are vital aspects
of the O&P industry. For example, automated foot orthotic
technology aids in cheaper, faster measurement, design, and
production of foot orthoses, as the article "Pros and
Cons..." describes. However, can automation replace the
expertise of a skilled orthotist or pedorthist? For the needs of
many patients, the machines are no substitute for casting, design,
and fabrication by the expert health professional. As noted writer
Elbert Hubbard said, "One machine can do the work of 50 ordinary
men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man."
Judicious use of technology, though, often can save the
practitioner and business owner both time and money, making life a
bit easier in the current era of tight reimbursement.
A Silver Lining
If you thought of silver only in terms of money or jewelry, you
might be surprised, as I was, to realize how many other industrial
and medical applications this precious metal is used for. It has
found its way into the orthotic and prosthetic industry through the
ingenuity of Noble Fiber Technologies, which produces
X-Static®--the Silver FiberTM, used in various
O&P products. You will enjoy reading about this remarkable
textile and its antimicrobial and temperature-regulating qualities
in "Silver Fabric Brings Benefits to O&P".
Pedorthics Takes the Stage
Did you know that a man weighing 170 lbs. and averaging 8,000
steps a day imposes a total of 1,000 tons on his feet and shoes
daily, according to the Pedorthic Footwear Association (PFA)? No
wonder feet can develop such numerous problems, even without the
effects of diabetes or other health conditions! The PFA is holding
its annual Symposium November 11-14 in Orlando, Florida (hopefully
the hurricanes have blown their last for awhile) with the theme
"The Foot: At Work and Play." The Symposium will include
educational offerings in four tracks: Clinical, Business, At Work,
and At Play. In addition, there will be two special Bonus Tracks on
Friday and Saturday.
For the first time ever, pedorthists were included in the
Olympics' medical team during the Summer Olympics in Athens. Read
about their success and fascinating experiences in the article "Olympics
Brings Recognition to Pedorthics".
Seamus Kennedy, CPed, discusses the differences in two commonly
confused diagnoses, Morton's neuroma and Morton's syndrome, in his
article "Different Diagnoses...".
For more information on pedorthics and the PFA, visit www.pedorthics.org 
Table Of Contents - November 2004
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