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XtremityOne: Advanced Technology for the Foot
Podiatry Management Journal
August, 2011

Podiatric Need for New Technology

In a world of instant gratification (think smart phones vs. landlines and email vs. snail mail), podiatrists today are faced with a different set of challenges than their predecessors.Tech-savvy patients (essentially anyone who knows how to do a simple Google search) are logging on to research their foot complications even before going to a physician and are becoming educated consumers.They are diving in deeper to understand their afflictions, making office visits more of a Q&A rap session; bouncing information off their podiatrist in an effort to better understand the diagnosis.Patients know they are now able to demand rapid turnaround times on testing, product delivery and healing.As the technological word of medicine forges ahead with patients at the helm, podiatrists search for solutions to keep pace.

In an effort to address patients needs, podiatrists advance their practices by developing blogs (educating patients and fellow practitioners), sending text messages for appointment reminders (ensuring compliance) and using portable electronic tablets (expediting documentation). The advancements continue with the adoption of PAL's XtremityOne software for the foot. A market leader in custom orthotics and diabetic inserts, PAL has created the solution for the expanding podiatric technological need keeping both the podiatrist and patient-experience top of mind.

One Stop Shop Solution

XtremityOne, gives podiatrists a portable, integrated unit, delivering a cost-effective solution that is growing with the advances in diagnosis, treatment and care for the foot; and is especially suitable for the diabetic patient.The system serves as a single portal whereby podiatrists are able to scan patients' feet, store unlimited patient information and complete the process with immediate order submission of orthotics, diabetic inserts and/or shoes.

Due to the unmatched accuracy provided by the imaging software, XtremityOne eliminates the need for castings without compromising clinical quality.This saves podiatrists' time and supplies all while providing a more pleasant patient experience. According to an article in the August 2009 Lower Extremity Review, casting both feet, including preparation, casting, prescription-writing and clean-up, took approximately 11 minutes with plaster versus two minutes for an optical scanner.

Advanced, Accurate Imaging

The only system of its kind to offer two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) imaging, XtremityOne features Xbox 360 ^® graphics that capture an image of the foot, then creates a 3D model in seconds.Resulting images can be rotated 360° and displayed in surface, wireframe and topgraphical views.The precision of the scan gives 150 points of measurement per square inch ensuring a more accurate diagnosis, fitting and treatment.Patients are seeing a mirrored, 1-to-1 image of their feet which may be the first time in a very long time that many diabetic patients, specifically, have seen such a clear image.

Even at this high level of resolution, XtremityOne is capable of holding an unlimited number of images.This is particularly salient in wound healing as the storage of scanned images allows podiatrists to more accurately document a wound's healing progress. Now, podiatrists can feel confident that with XtremityOne, patients will receive the individual care they deserve (increasing satisfaction and referrals), all while lowering costs (saving time and increasing return).

XtremityOne also provides an image that is not distorted the way other weight-bearing devices provide.When a patient stands on a pressure mat, for example, their pathology is captured instead of their natural shape. In essence, orthotics produced from a weight-bearing shape fail to correct and may actually enhance the patient's pathology. Corrections to the pressure mat models are left to the hands of technicians. With XtremityOne, the podiatrist can be assured that the accurate shape of the patient's foot is captured.

Ease of Use

XtremityOne resembles the common iPad or smart phone "app" format, giving users a multitude of system functions.This setup also allows for future addition of customized tools/applications.Tied into the PAL's domestic servers, the system's dynamic software maintains patient data (100% HIPPA compliant) and offers information about related products and services, such as vendor catalogs and order forms.

Once the podiatrist has scanned a patient's foot, a series of diagnosis-specific products appear based on the data garnered from the scan.The podiatrist now has all the information necessary to order corrective products for the patient.Orders can then be submitted electronically to the PAL lab for immediate action, resulting in faster turnaround times. UPS tracking codes are also a useful tool within the system to ensure peace-of-mind for delivery of orders.

Learn More

PAL has provided quality custom orthotics and premium customer service for more than 34 years.PAL continues to serve its founding role while moving forward in technology and software development for the diagnosis and treatment of the foot.For more information please visit www.palhealth.com or call (800-223-2957).

Huppin, Larry D.P.M. Technology: Choosing a Digital Foot Scanner. Lower Extremity Review. August 2009.

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