PFA | Your Path to Becoming a Pedorthist

Pedorthics is the design, manufacture, modification and fit of footwear, shoes and foot orthoses to alleviate problems caused by disease, overuse, congenital condition or injury.
   The profession of pedorthics began to emerge in the late 1950s, after World War II and an outbreak of polio created a need to deal with foot trauma through footwear.
   Today, pedorthics is a well-established allied health profession contributing an invaluable service to public health.

Pedorthists give physicians a range of conservative, or non-surgical, treatment options.
   Increasingly, doctors and other qualified prescribers write prescriptions for footwear and pedorthic devices to relieve pressure, redistribute weight, accommodate or support medical conditions, prevent injuries, compensate for imbalances or overuse and preclude further damage to the foot.
   In addition to addressing lower limb problems, prescriptions for footwear and pedorthic devices can address foot-related problems, such as lower back pain, knee pain or other limits to a patient’s physical activities.

The practice of pedorthics requires knowledge of anatomy, pathology and biomechanics that involves human locomotion, gait analysis, kinesiology and other related fields.
   Specialized pedorthic education programs teach footwear fitting, orthosis design, fabrication, and patient management, combining online and in-person training approved by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOP).
   After completing 1,000 hours of practical experience, candidates can take the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) Certified Pedorthist exam, a three-hour multiple-choice test offered thrice yearly nationwide.
   Certified Pedorthists (C.Peds.) maintain their credentials through ABC’s Mandatory Continuing Education program, requiring 55 credits every five years, with some states mandating licensure or certification for practice.