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Foot orthotic lab closing?

Discussion in 'USA' started by Craig Payne, Oct 1, 2017.

  1. Craig Payne

    Craig Payne Moderator

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    Noticed in the last few days a couple of labs advertising to try and pick up business from PAL

    On the PAL website, its says (attached)
    "Pal Lab is no longer accepting or processing orders"
    https://palhealthtech.com

    A couple of complaints on their Facebook page

    A local news story says: "Several workers or family members have reported they had been laid off. The company did not return calls Tuesday morning for comment. A PAL receptionist said a PAL official would call by 4 p.m. That call never came." http://www.pjstar.com/news/20170926/pal-health-technologies-in-pekin-not-taking-orders
     

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  2. Craig Payne

    Craig Payne Moderator

    Articles:
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    Bit of history: PAL used to be a very big lab; sources tell me that in the past they were doing >100 000 prs/yr. They were also one of the first labs to introduce library based systems (and from what I understand were not exactly explicit in telling customers what they were doing; or customers not understanding library systems).

    The current closure is apparently related to staff issues with the staff threatening strike action; so the owner decided to close down.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 1, 2017
  3. Dieter Fellner

    Dieter Fellner Well-Known Member

    I also noticed in PMNews a couple of labs fighting over the bones. The practice of the library based system is especially irritating. It's not at all clear which labs do, and which do not. And if asked, is the information reliable. If I know a lab is using the library I'd rather recommend a patient get a good OTC device.
     
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  5. Chrislawrie00

    Chrislawrie00 Welcome New Poster

    Sad to hear this. In an industry that is growing with Labs often stretched beyond capacity, PAL should be expanding, not failing.
     
  6. R.S.Steinberg

    R.S.Steinberg Active Member

    If this is true, it is sad. They have a long history of producing quality devices.

    I have been using JSB Orthotic, Inc., for over 15 years. The owner, Scott Becker, is a licensed Orthotist and C.Ped. They make very exacting devices and follow the Rx, quite well. My usual order does not ask for arch fill (fudge factor!). I can't remember the last time I had to send s pair of orthotics back to the lab for adjustment. Interested? 800-373-5935
     
  7. Dieter Fellner

    Dieter Fellner Well-Known Member

    That observation caused me to reminisce about SoleSupport and Dr. Glaser's out-of-the-box biomechanical paradigm. How does the foot health community feel about it, in 2019?
     
  8. R.S.Steinberg

    R.S.Steinberg Active Member

    DPM to DPM, Please describe it to us.
     
  9. Dieter Fellner

    Dieter Fellner Well-Known Member

    Dr. Glaser, if you are unfamiliar with his background, is a trained engineer who re-trained as a DPM and then applied his engineering training to the biomechanical correction of the failing foot alignment. The premise is that traditional orthoses can often fail because the corrective force applied is too little and too late, in the gait cycle. Instead, Dr. Glaser advocates to capture the foot in the maximally corrected position (he referred to this as the MASS position). From this , the orthotic is produced to support the foot in MASS alignment and also integrate sufficient 'flexural forgiveness' to provide for 'normal' motion while eliminating pathological forces acting on the foot.

    You can Google and obtain more in depth explanations of how this is achieved (he worked hard to bench test and determine how to provide enough flexibility into the foot orthoses etc etc). There was a big debate, some years ago, on The Arena, and of course inevitably, Dr. Glaser's approach attracted his fair share of critics. My personal 2c - the Glaser technique has it's own share of success & failure, much like anything else in this world. The concept has merit, in my humble opinion. Perhaps the most challenging component is to fine tune the stiffness into the orthoses to allow the device to function well.

    p.s.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2019
  10. R.S.Steinberg

    R.S.Steinberg Active Member

    Thank you Dr. Fellner, Excellent explanation. Dr. Glaser's technique adds to the over quality of our biomechanical knowledge base, which is a blend of our experiences. I mostly order orthotics that give full support, Material stiffness varies for patient weight and aggressiveness of their activities.
     
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