Re:

Re:

Didn't mean to offend by ommission.

I have witnessed O&P services rendered by non O&P providers in a competent
fashion. Other providers that are appropriately trained and equipped should
NOT be excluded from rendering some O&P servcies. I've also seen atrocious
O&P services rendered by qualified O&P providers. However, the marginally
and peripherally qualified have frequenlty referred patients to my office to
fix or correct items they can't.
I have seen patients supplied with:
AFO's fit for the wrong extremity ie, Left sided involvement fit with a Right
AFO on the Left side.
Knee orthoses-particularly OA brace applying stress in the wrong direction
TLSO's fit upside down AND backwards
Diabetic patients fit with functional rigid foot orthoses

While most health care providers try to do an honest job the financial
incentives are such that most are tempted to try. They may not have the
resources, knowledge, experience, facilities, equipment to succeed to the
detriment of the patient. When insurors place replacement restrictions on O&P
devices it is only good professional practice to have the servcies rendered
by the MOST competent provider. (Yes, in some case it is the ATC.)

Ralph W Nobbe CPO