12/23/2015    David E Gurvis, DPM

Orthotic Scanners

Let me start by saying I would be the first to
jump on the scanner bandwagon as soon as it comes
of age. For now, imagine every cardiologist has
an EKG machine that only gave him useful
information but no one else. In my opinion, this
is still pretty much where orthotic scanners are.
If not, why would one scanner lock me into a
particular lab with a proprietary system. So even
if, for some reason, that lab started to lose
quality control, or raised their prices too high,
I would be unable to change without losing my
investment.

Recently, I am hearing about the “revolution” in
the manufacturing of orthotics. I am on the list
to be detailed by Sols with 3-D printing of
orthotics. I’m interested, I want to listen and
learn. But if don’t adopt, does that make me
wrong? Other articles tell me if I continue
plaster, I am in the “dark ages”, or I have been
“left behind.” Personally, I resent the hype.
Hey, I may be old, but I am far from left behind,
neither am I a cave dwelling troglodyte. Any
digital scanner is a priori, able to save me
money on plaster, time on making an impression,
and clean up time for my staff, as well as
shipping. But, and the big but is, are these
orthotics good. Most likely they are, but are
they better enough to lock myself into using just
one lab?

Are these orthotics the “wave of the future” or
is the production method just different. I
personally think the latter. Some new
manufacturing technique makes a good orthotic.
The old technique makes a good orthotic.

There is no “wave of the future” yet, there is no
standardization, yet. My point is that I will
join the future when the future is better, or
saves me significant money, when the systems are
standardized to where we can each have a scanner
that works in 3-D and so on. But until that time
arrives, I have to say, I resent being told that
said future is “passing” me by, or that I am not
surfing the newest “wave” of the future.
Cordially – spare me the hyperbole and stop
calling me names.

David E Gurvis, DPM, Avon, IN

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