Gait Evaluation & Prescription of Custom Orthotics

Evidence-based gait analysis and custom orthotic prescription

Live Lab • 10.0 CE Credits

Course Overview

An advanced clinical course for clinicians interested in evidence-based evaluation and prescription of custom orthotics, co-taught by a physical therapist and a certified pedorthotist with clinical expertise in orthotic evaluation and prescription. The course closes the knowledge gap around custom foot orthotics — discussing the current evidence for and against custom orthotics, patient case scenarios, and clinical expertise in prescription. It provides both lecture and lab with hands-on components for casting, molding, and scanning, and participants work through live gait analysis and prescription of orthotics alongside advanced practitioners.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Appraise current literature surrounding the benefits of custom versus semi-custom versus off-the-shelf orthotics.

Demonstrate competence in static foot posture assessment.

Demonstrate competence in dynamic gait assessment.

Demonstrate competence in prescription of foot orthotics for common lower-extremity overuse injuries, leg-length differences, and common foot deformities/abnormalities.

Identify common abnormalities and dysfunctions of the foot.

Differentiate common abnormalities and dysfunctions of the foot.

Analyze abnormal biomechanics during gait analysis.

Course Schedule

Pre-course asynchronous content plus a full-day Saturday lecture and lab.

Pre-Live course (asynchronous): Foot Posture Index lecture (30 min) and Neurotypical Gait lecture (60 min)

8:00 — Introduction & review of objectives
8:15 — Questions from pre-class content
8:45 — LAB: Foot type & foot mobility
9:30 — Lecture/LAB: Interactive gait analysis review
10:15 — LAB: Gait analysis (small groups)
10:45 — EBP on scan, mold & plaster casting techniques
11:15 — LAB: Demo & casting techniques (scanning focus)
12:00 — Lunch (on own)
1:00 — Lecture/LAB: Orthotic selection — custom vs. off-the-shelf/accommodations
2:30 — LAB: Padding with off-the-shelf devices
3:00 — Cases: lower-extremity pathologies & orthotic benefit
4:00 — Fitting & follow-up appointments
4:30 — Lecture/LAB: Shoes
5:00 — Wrap-up: cases & discussion

CE Credits & Approval

This course is approved by the New Jersey Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 10.0 continuing education credits. It is pre-approved in the following states as a result of NJBPTE approval: AK, DE, HI, IN, KS, KY, MA, MI, MT, NC, ND, OR, PA, TN, UT, VT, VA, WI, WY, and Washington, DC. This course involves 6.0 hours of evaluative procedures to treat a person without referral. The following states do not require pre-approval of courses and/or have no CE requirements for PTs and PTAs: AL, CO, CT, GA, ID, IA, ME, MO, NE, NH, WA. Not sure if your state is covered? Email us before enrolling.

Registration & Tuition

Tuition: $350 members | $400 early bird | $450 standard

Location: Bethlehem, PA

To register or ask about the next scheduled date, email abilityhealthwellness@gmail.com

Registration deadline is 5 days prior to the course date.

Elizabeth Scifers, DPT, ATC

Dr. Scifers earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences at Mary Baldwin University and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Western Carolina University. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and serves as Program Manager for Foot and Ankle Care at Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s and Program Director for the St. Luke’s Foot & Ankle Physical Therapy Fellowship. She enjoys mentoring and teaching gait evaluation, orthotic prescription, and management of foot and ankle pathologies, and serves as Rehabilitation Coordinator for Moravian University.

Cody Gankiewicz, C.Ped

Mr. Gankiewicz earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Finance from Salisbury University and his Certified Pedorthic Certificate from St. Petersburg College. He has worked at Foot Management, Inc. since 2013 and currently serves as its Owner and President.

Ready to master gait analysis and orthotic prescription?

_{Disclosures: Dr. Scifers reports no conflicts of interest to disclose. Mr. Gankiewicz reports that he owns a custom orthotic company, but is only providing the concepts for orthotic evaluation and prescription; no portion of this course is meant to direct business to the orthotic company.}

_{Cancellation: written requests received ten (10) days prior to the seminar receive a refund less a $35 administrative charge; within ten days, no refund is granted but a credit equal to the amount paid may be applied toward a future course.}