1. (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. (2) Certified Pedorthist.

   1. (a) A certified pedorthist (C.Ped.) is a professional whose competence in the practice of pedorthics is credentialed by a nationally recognized certifying board accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), or such other national agency as may be approved by the board.
   2. (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. (3) Pedorthic Devices. “Pedorthic devices” means therapeutic shoes, shoe modifications made for therapeutic purposes, partial foot prostheses (L5000), foot orthoses and subtalar-control foot orthoses (SCFO, see below). Pedorthic devices do not include non-therapeutic, accommodative inlays and non-therapeutic accommodative footwear, regardless of method of manufacture; unmodified, non-therapeutic over-the-counter 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 non-therapeutic devices are devices that do not address a medical condition.
4. (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. (5) Comprehensive Pedorthic Care includes the following conditions:

   1. (a) Patients with previous amputation of the foot, or part of either foot
   2. (b) Patients with history of previous foot ulcerations of either foot
   3. (c) Patients with history of pre-ulcerative calluses of either foot
   4. (d) Patients with peripheral neuropathy with evidence of callus formation of either foot
   5. (e) Patients with foot deformity of either foot
   6. (f) Patients with poor circulation in either foot

Author: Glenn Crumpton

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

History: New Rule: Filed November 14, 2007; effective December 19, 2007. Amended: Filed September 1, 2010; effective October 6, 2010.