The Pedorthic Footwear Association (PFA) held its annual symposium Nov. 8-11, 2007 at the Marriott Riverwalk in San Antonio. This year’s symposium was attended by more than 1,000 pedorthic professionals.
Highlights of the conference included a host of general sessions, such as:
- “The Acquired Adult Flatfoot Deformity: Current Concepts in Evaluation and Management,” presented by Jeffrey E. Johnson, MD, associate professor of orthopedic surgery and chief of the foot and ankle service for Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
- “An Entirely New Footwear Design Based on Biomechanics Beyond the Foot,” presented by D. Casey Kerrigan, MD, professor and chair of the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Virginia
- “Effect of Laterally Wedged Orthoses on Frontal Plan Knee Mechanics in Subjects with Medial Compartment Tibiofemoral Osteoarthritis,” presented by Irene Davis, PhD, PT, FASCM, physical therapy professor at the University of Delaware and director of the University of Delaware Running Injury Clinic
- “Preclinical and Clinical FDA Trials of RHDGF in Foot Ankle Fusion,” presented by Sheldon Lin, MD, associate professor in the department of orthopedics at UMDNJ New Jersey Medical School
- “A Perspective on Pedorthics and Podiatry,” presented by David Levine, DPM, CPed, director of Physician’s Footwear and medical adviser for PFA.
In addition, this year’s symposium featured a host of breakout sessions, including “Inventory Turn: Key Drivers to Improving Your Cash Flow,” presented by Paul Erickson, RMSA; “Common Lower Extremity Reconstructive Surgical Procedures,” with Janet Simon, DPM, CPed(C); and a three-part series examining aspects of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction by presenters Paul Chromey, DPM, CPed, Erick Janisse, CO, CPed, Alan W. Darby, CPed, and Bill Meanwell, CPed.
Other sessions looked at competitive bidding and facility accreditation, international pedorthics and issues specific to athletic injury and treatment.
Attendees also were invited to browse the various products and services offered at PFA’s largest ever exhibition, which featured more than 100 exhibitors.
The Seymour Lefton Award, which has only been given to 19 people in its 24-year history, was awarded to Shane Hayes, CPed. This honor recognizes an individual’s outstanding service to the pedorthic profession.
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The 2007 Physician of the Year Award went to David J. Levine, DPM, CPed. At next year’s symposium, PFA plans to introduce the Carl Reiken Award.
Since no trip to Texas would be complete without line dancing, PFA and Aetrex Worldwide arranged the Pedorthic Hoedown, giving attendees the chance to unwind and show off a different kind of fancy footwork.
The 2008 PFA Symposium is planned for Nashville from Nov. 6-9. Looking further ahead, PFA has scheduled its 2009 Symposium for Grapevine (Dallas), Texas from Nov. 19-22.
– Stephanie Z. Pavlou, Staff Writer
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