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 confident in selecting appropriate orthotic devices and establishing effective posting strategies. You will be conversant in materials used and knowledgeable of fabrication techniques. You will be able to better instruct the laboratory or personally apply appropriate clinical adjustments to orthotics.

This is a practical presentation. Your expertise in prescribing orthotic therapy will definitely improve. Making decisions on the best modifications to your patients' devices will be less difficult. Beneficial results will be easier to achieve.

GRINDERS & GLUE CURRICULUM

DAY 1

Overview of Orthotic Components and Their Applications

Advanced Plaster Impression Casting - Demomonstration
Negative Impression Casting - Lab

Positive Casting Techniques - Demonstration
Thermal Forming - Demonstration

Labpratory Orientation: Materials, Equipment & Safety - Discussion
Introduction to Grinding & Gluing - Equipment Use Lab

Posting & Shaping - Demonstration
Posting & Shaping Lab - Trim Lines and Post Angles

Evaluation Findings that Differentiate Critical Decision Making Choices

DAY 2

Case Studies - Group Dsicussion
Posting Strategies - Lecture/Discussion

Prefabricated Devices and Direct Molded Devices - Lecture/Lab

Patient Management - Lecture
Trouble Shooting - Lecture
Trouble Shooting Lab - Modifications to Pads, Posts, Contours and Top Covers

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 eighteen 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 in this new century. 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 over thrirty-five 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. After thousands of orthotic consultations and hundreds of clinical in-services, this course brings it all together.

Jean DeBettignes has been clinically applying dynamic gait assessment and lower extremity biomechanics from an integrated whole body perspective for the last twenty-two years. In addition to her clinical practice, she enjoys a regular teaching schedule, blending lower extremity function with movement reeducation and applied anatomy. She holds a patent for custom shoe wear and designed the P.B.O. orthotic device made by Biomechanical Services. Correlating function of the foot with sacroiliac joint and lumbar efficiency is a central focus of Jean's work. Jean is in private practice at Muller & Weber Physical Therapy, a physical therapy group in Santa Barbara, California.