By P.K. Daniel
For the past 16 years, Surestep has been a stalwart in the O&P industry, improving many lives by providing stability to children with hypotonia who pronate with its patented, dynamic bracing system. Since the development of the Surestep SMO, Surestep has evolved to become a leader in the industry as it provides solutions for all children, regardless of diagnosis. The company offers a full line of products, capable of treating deficits at the foot and ankle, knee, trunk and head.
An area of focus for Surestep is its central fabrication services. According to Bernie Veldman, CO, Surestep’s CEO, it’s becoming more and more critical that O&P practitioners consider using outside services for timesaving central fabrication.
“As a manufacturer, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation and product development,” he said. “Allowing clinicians to tap into our knowledge and resources with our central fabrication could be a game-changer for their businesses. Instead of spending valuable time fabricating, now they can spend time helping those in need.”
Central fabrication increases practitioner productivity by keeping practitioners out of the lab and with patients. Subsequently, this means an increase in revenue, as clinicians are the only revenue generators in an O&P practice. Using Surestep central fabrication will allow clinicians to manage profitability, time, and costs easily and more effectively, Veldman said.
— Bernie Veldman, CO, Surestep CEO
Surestep recently introduced its custom dynamic cervical orthosis (DCO), which features a HCPCS code that is covered by most insurers. The device is designed for patients with mild to moderate head ptosis (head drop). On the heels of its success, Surestep presented several more products, including one to treat pediatric torticollis.
“We have had really good response on the DCO,” said Suzi Klimek, Surestep’s executive director of corporate marketing. “It’s a product that’s been very well received, and we’re trying to now build on varying product offerings that relate to the DCO.”
At AOPA 2016, Surestep debuted its brand-new course, Navigating New Pathways: Orthotic Tools for Maximizing Therapeutic Outcomes in Neuromuscular Pediatric Populations. For more than a decade, Surestep has presented free continuing education courses all across the United States. But rather than tweaking or updating a past course, Surestep created completely original content for its most recent development.
“Instead of trying to remodel a house, we decided to tear it down and start from scratch,” said Klimek. “We find it extremely important to offer quality education throughout the industry.”
The new course compares traditional bracing solutions with the new pathways, which allows professionals to think outside the box with outcome-based solutions. The presentation focuses on typical pediatric development through key stages: 0-3 years, 3-6 years, and 6 and older. The course provides orthotic solutions for children who present with atypical development and offers great visual and objective data comparing Surestep products to competitor products.
Also at AOPA, Surestep introduced the Surestep Toe Walking SMO, a modification of its standard SMO. This innovative solution is intended for patients with low tone who toe walk due to sensory or stability concerns. The posterior extension provides a kinesthetic reminder for the patient to come down off his or her toes. It also helps facilitate a heel-toe gait pattern while treating toe walking at the source.
Traditionally, these patients would be fit with an AFO that stops plantar flexion, which inhibits proper gait and gross motor skill development. The Surestep Toe Walking SMO does not completely block plantar flexion and does not need a full footplate. This design allows patients to develop proper gait mechanics and gross motor skills that require plantar flexion, such as running and jumping. Rather than blocking plantar flexion to stop toe walking, the goal of the Surestep Toe Walking SMO is to treat the primary source of toe walking, whether it is sensory and/or stability, and eventually graduate the child from the orthoses.
Surestep also offers a Product Navigation Tool to assist orthotists, physical therapists and parents who are unsure about the device that would be best for their child. Visit the products page at surestep.net/products and click on the “let us help” button to get started. While it doesn’t take the place of a professional evaluation from a certified clinician, it can help educate and guide parents, and can aid professionals.
“This tool is helpful to those people who are able to answer a few basic questions about the child’s presentation,” said Megan Smith, CO, director of clinical research for Surestep. “As questions are being answered, the program is designed to then pull potential orthotic solutions for that patient. If anything, it guides professionals in the proper clinical direction.”
Article sponsored by Surestep.
