Partial Calcaneous Insert

Partial Calcaneous Insert

Paul Prusakowski

11/27/2001

Hello oandp-l'ers,

I am working with a young man who is missing a significant portion of his calcaneous. He has a very movile heel pad, which does not provide enough cushion tp provide comfort for him when he is standing for a while. He has been treated unsuccessfully with UCN type devices, and he is not interested in attempting this course of treatment again. He is mopre interested in some sort of stand alone insert that can be moved from shoe to shoe.

I have considered a PQ (blue gel) insert, but it would have to be a very soft durometer. hmm...As I am typing, my wrists are resting on a very soft gel pad wrist protector, and that consistency would be perfect- anyone know how to fabricate those gel wrist protectors?????

I am looking for two things:

1. Any experiences/suggestions regarding fabrication and fitting of an insert for an active patient with a partial calcaneous.

2. Any experience with central fabrication facilities that will fabricate a PQ insert (we used to do them in-house, but we stopped due to the difficulty of working with the materials).

Responses will be summarized.

Thanks.

Paul E. Prusakowski, CPO
O&P Clinical Technologies
Gainesville, Florida