Response to Cirrus Foot Information Request

Response to Cirrus Foot Information Request

Tom Current and Tina Kilbey

8/13/1997

Following are the replys I received in regard to my Questions regarding
the Cirrus foot. Thank you to all who replied.

Tom Current

Hi this is John Russell
I was a big user of Flex Foot for many years, but I decided that I would
let my patients try the Cirrus Foot even when it was more expensive than
the Flex Foot.
Out of more than 15, all like it, and feel thats is improvement over the
Flex Foot.
The heel is better in allowing quick plantarflexion
M/L is smoother and has a wider range
Less tech time, and CP time to get ready, and easier to adjust overall
Had to add a 0.04 formed ploypro over instep of internal foot to cut out
squeks
Major problem as I see it don't make a foot under 25cm.!! This is the
only reason that I have used a Flex Foot lately
Patients love it over a Flex Foot.

In O&P news, the cyclist in the ParaO article uses the Cirrus Foot, of
course I'm the CP that made the cycling leg. College Park gave Dory a
foot to try free, but didn't walk smooth enough.

Thats all, R-John

________________________________________________________________________

I used it for the first time today. I did a dynamic alignment on a
moderatly
active 60 yo male bk who used a seattle and mars unit for the last 4
yrs. I
was surprised at the vertical shock but only time and experience (as
with all
new feet) will prove its value. The foot shell looked used and we are
asking
for a new one. Lcoding according to the manufacturer is L5999. I think
this
is appropriate for now. It certainly is the most conservative.
Remember you
are the one responsible for coding not the manufacturer or anyone else.
You
have to be held accountable for the correct coding and the amount you
charge.
 You should always do this with one hand on the paperwork and one foot
in the
wittness stand. You may feel comfortable using a code like the 5981
flex
walk if in your heart of hearts you feel they a functionally equivalent
enough but its your call. i'd suggest you contact the AOPA Lcoding
subcommittee for their opinion and use it as another yard stick for your
decision.

________________________________________________________________________

My staff has used about 6 cirrus feet. I am very impressed with it's
function. It responds superbly on irregular terrain. It is a great
shock
absorber. At great patient is one who has horses and is in the barn
area
most of the day. The foot shell is as good as any. The company is
still
making improvements. Talk to Cherrie at the company to deal with the
Medicare billing. Good Luck Keith
________________________________________________________________________

Hi, Tom
I did try the cirrus foot. The patient was also looking for rotation
ability and didn't really care for it. Also he took it hunting and
found
it too heavy compared to his flex foot or SLF . The foot shell was a
pain, you need to be really careful taking it out so that you dont break
the foot by delaminating it. It could be the correct foot for the
appropriate patint. We never actually billed it. Good luck. Stephanie