If you can’t succeed in getting your patients to wear their healthy shoes
and, if applicable, their orthotics as much as possible, then you have
failed to benefit that patient and probably lost their future business.
We need to have a specific discussion with our patients over age
of 40, on shoe and orthotic types that can benefit them. In this
targeted market, many shoe stores, magazines, and drug stores
offer miracle foot cures in the form of some type of orthotic or
insole device. These are usually pre-fabricated devices that, are
better than nothing, but often give people false hopes in curing
their foot pain.
It is up to you to convince them that your custom made device
will be vastly more beneficial. If the patient is wearing glasses ask
them if they walked into a drug store and bought them off the
shelf or if they had a doctor measure their vision and prescribe
what they needed. Most will say that they went to a doctor. Then
explain that it should be the same for their feet. Anything that
a podiatrist or a pedorthist can customize for their feet will be
better than anything that they can get from a store or magazine.
As we all know, the essential components of a healthy shoe
include; cushioning, support, adjustability, and ample room.
The shoe should not be constricting at all but also should not
allow the foot to slide around. Removable insoles are useful if
the patient has, or may obtain orthotics.
Today it is quite acceptable for people to wear athletic shoes
and there is a wide variety available. While we may prefer a
New Balance or Brooks, we do tell our patients that even a $15
athletic shoe from Wal-Mart is better than a Croc or sandal or
any kind of slip on. Educate patients on the features in a shoe
you would look for so that when they are shopping for shoes
they are not distracted by fashion but focusing on function and
practicality. It is essential for the patient to know that it is to their
benefit to wear healthy shoes from the minute they get up in the
morning until they go to bed at night.
If you want your pedorthic business to thrive then you must
remember to practice good business strategies. Keeping the
lines of communication open with your physicians and patients
is essential. It always helps to remember that these two pieces
of the business practice puzzle alone will allow your pedorthic
practice the ability to continue taking steps in the right direction
to success.
Current Pedorthics
January/February 2014
43