Alabama Administrative Code
Title 746 - ALABAMA BOARD OF PROSTHETISTS AND ORTHOTISTS
Chapter 746-X-7 - LICENSURE OF PEDORTHISTS
Section 746-X-7-.03 - Scope Of Practice

Universal Citation: AL Admin Code R 746-X-7-.03

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 5, February 29, 2024

(1) Practice of Pedorthics. Pedorthics is the practice, pursuant to a written order/prescription when addressing a medical condition, of evaluating, treatment planning, patient managing, measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting or servicing, necessary to accomplish the application of a pedorthic device for the prevention or amelioration of painful and/or disabling conditions of the foot and ankle.

(2) Certified Pedorthist.

(a) A certified pedorthist (C. Ped.) is a professional whose competence in the practice of pedorthics is credentialed by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc.

(b) The practice of pedorthics by a certified pedorthist inherently includes both prescriptive and nonprescriptive work because of the universal use of footwear. As a member of the health care team, a C. Ped. plays an important role in the patient's foot care; however, absent another professional certification or credential, a certified pedorthist shall not diagnose, prescribe, provide medical prognosis, or perform invasive procedures. A written order/prescription is required for any pedorthic device, modification, and/or prefabricated below the knee anatomical support addressing a medical condition. A C. Ped's activities must reflect his/her certification and education. A C. Ped fits, fabricates, adjusts, modifies, or transfers devices which reflect his/her certification.

(3) Pedorthic Devices. "Pedorthic devices" means therapeutic shoes, shoe modifications made for therapeutic purposes, partial foot prostheses (L5000), foot orthoses and subtalarcontrol foot orthoses (SCFO, see below). Pedorthic devices do not include nontherapeutic, accommodative inlays and nontherapeutic accommodative footwear, regardless of method of manufacture; unmodified, nontherapeutic overthecounter shoes; or prefabricated foot care products. For purposes of this document, "accommodative" means designed with a primary goal of conforming to the individual's anatomy, and "therapeutic" devices are devices that address a medical condition, while nontherapeutic devices are devices that do not address a medical condition.

(4) Subtalar Control

Foot Orthosis (SCFO).

Subtalar Control

Foot Orthosis (SCFO):

a lower extremity orthosis designed to manage the function of the anatomy distal to the ankle joint by controlling the range of motion of the subtalar joint. The proximal length of a SCFO does not extend beyond the musculotendonis junction of the gastrocnemius and the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon. A SCFO is a method of treatment of conditions related to the foot demanding additional surface area to control forces. A SCFO does not include a supramalleoli orthosis.

(5) Comprehensive Pedorthic Care includes the following conditions:

(a) Patients with previous amputation of the foot, or part of either foot

(b) Patients with history of previous foot ulcerations of either foot

(c) Patients with history of preulcerative calluses of either foot

(d) Patients with peripheral neuropathy with evidence of callus formation of either foot

(e) Patients with foot deformity of either foot

(f) Patients with poor circulation in either foot

Authors: Glenn Crumpton

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-25A-1-14

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