COURSE DESCRIPTION
Grinders & Glue is a clinical course intended to help improve your knowledge and application of orthotic therapy. Effective procedures for ordering foot orthoses, managing the orthotic patient and trouble shooting orthotic devices is presented.

A reliable strategy is presented for selecting device types and determining posting angles, including discussions as to how to answer patient questions and concerns. Workshops provide hands-on application and modification of orthotic components, designed to expose participants to actual processes that would improve communications with the laboratory. Procedures for clinical fabrication of temporary devices and adjusting durable foot orthoses are explored.

Following the course, you will be more confident in selecting appropriate orthotic modules and establishing effective posting strategies. You will be exposed to a variety of orthotic materials, component options and knowledgeable of fabrication techniques used during construction. You will be more conversant when making decisions and instructing the laboratory on applying or modifying various orthotic elements. You will personally apply and make adjustments to orthotic devices, making it more apparent how the assembly process is completed.

This is a practical presentation. Your expertise in prescribing orthotic therapy will definitely improve. Decisions on selecting effective orthotic utilization for your patients will be less demanding. Beneficial results will be easier to achieve.

Grinders & Glue - Curriculum and Schedule

Day 1
8:00am - 6:00pm

8:00 - 8:30		Orientation - Materials, Equipment & Safety
8:30 - 9:30		Overview of Orthotic Component Applications
		BREAK(15 min.)
9:45 - 10:45		Advanced Plaster Impressions - Lab
10:45 - 12:00		Positive Molding Model - Lecture/Demonstration
12:00 - 12:45		LUNCH (45 min.)
12:45 - 1:30		Critical Decision Making Using Evaluation Findings
1:30 - 2:15		Introduction to Grinding & Gluing - Demonstration
		BREAK(15 min.)
2:30 - 3:45		Grinding, Gluing & Orthotic Technique - LAB
3:45 - 4:15		Posting Strategies
4:15 - 4:45		Posting & Finishing - Demonstration
4:45 - 6:00		Posting & Finishing - LAB

Day 2
8:00am - 3:00pm

INSTRUCTORS

Suzie LeFever is a nationally recognized educator in lower extremity function, with a particular interest in the biomechanics of the foot. Suzie holds a B.S. in Physical Therapy and Athletic Training from West Virginia University, and a M.A. in Education from Ball State University. She has contributed chapters on closed chain exercise and cycling biomechanics in two different text books on Physical Therapy. Suzie has been actively involved in sports medicine for over thirty years. She is the owner and principle therapist at San Juan Physical Therapy in Friday Harbor, WA. As an active clinician, she shares the joys and frustrations of delivering patient care first hand. Suzie is excited about this course and believes this class will help clinicians acquire the hands on skills they need to maximize the effectiveness of their patients' custom orthotics.

Greg Wolfe is the cofounder and President of Biomechanical Services, Inc. in Brea, California. He has been actively helping professionals integrate clinical biomechanics, foot function and orthotic therapy for thirty-nine years. His particular interest in how foot and leg dynamics impact human locomotion, throughout the lower half of the body, was developed as a result of unique exposure to clinical research and applied principles in biomechanics. This course is setup to address many common questions Greg has fielded over the years. Taking from topics he has covered during thousands of orthotic consultations, hundreds of clinical in-services and academic presentations to future healthcare professionals, this course brings it all together.