Vittoria Phoenix

We will miss you at the PAC symposium

This will be the first time in more than 20 years that Vittoria Phoenix will not be attending the annual PAC conference.  Both Norm and Keri have faced major life changes in 2011 that will prevent them from making the trek to Whistler for the symposium.  In May, 2011 Keri gave birth to a baby boy, Everett, and business responsibilities combined with family responsibilities make travel unfeasible.  Late last year Norm's wife (Keri's mother) lost a limb due to complications arising out of a diabetic ulcer and, although she is doing very well with her new prosthesis, Norm has become the primary care-giver and is heavily involved in her physiotherapy and rehab. 

We will certainly miss seeing all of you at the conference but look forward to seeing you again next year.  We wish everyone a safe trip as you make your way to Whistler for what will be another outstanding symposium.  

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P.Q. Liquid Gel Exciting News!!!

 Good Day To All!!!

I recently received some exciting news from the developer of P.Q. liquid gel.  The 50/50 mix gel is available in quarts and pints.  The exciting news is that by keeping the opened container in the refrigerator the shelf life is extended to six to eight months!!.  All you need to do when you are ready to use the product is to make sure you take the P.Q. out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before mixing.  The 50/50 mix gives you an approximately 60 durometer finished product.  This is slightly firmer than our flesh and has been determined to be the best for foot orthotics.  You can easily change the durometer by mixing the blend accordingly.  The clear mixture (as opposed to the blue) has shown to discolour somewhat but this will not affect the finished desired product. 

Have a great day everyone!

Kerry

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The Cluffy Wedge

Hello, Kerry Burnett here, Sales Manager, Vittoria Phoenix inc.  Vittoria Phoenix, located in Southern Ontario, is a national distributor of orthopaedic devices and supplies.  We proudly represent, in Canada, an innovative new product called The Cluffy Wedge.  This simple, yet very effective, product will boost performance in runners and reduce many types of discomfort caused by gait and functional problems.  The Cluffy Wedge is a proven device that easily fits under the insole of most running and walking shoes.  It can even be used in open toe sandals.  We at Vittoria Phoenix know you will want to learn more about the Wedge to see for yourself how it will complement and enhance your product offerings.  To that end I have provided the following links to the information you will need and a link to our web site so that you may become more knowledgeable about the products and services available through Vittoria Phoenix.  The links to information about The Cluffy Wedge are –  www.cluffy.com and www.cluffyinstitute.com. Our web site – www.myVP.ca  The Cluffy Wedge is a proven winner in the U.S. and we are proud to be able to supply Canada with this innovative product.

Thank You for your time.

Kerry

Take a look at this unsolicited letter of recommendation.

It is a small wedge that is placed under the big toe on top or on the bottom surface of a full‐length orthotic or

insole that elevates the big toe in an upward direction, enhancing dorsiflexion of the big toe and also reducing

 Helps increase the range of motion at the big toe joint and in most situations will reduce bunion pain.

 Improves the locking of the Midtarsal Joint by allowing the ball of the foot to drop (planter flex),

increasing stability in the rear foot.

 Reduces tension in the planter fascia ligament, significantly reducing plantar fasciitis symptoms and rear

foot pain that is associated with poor biomechanics.

 Improved joint range of motion at the big toe results in a longer stride with less effort and less stress.

 Improves gait efficiency, requiring fewer steps to go from point A to point B.

 Improves overall balance.

 Adds tremendous value to the insole/orthotic by improving performance and biomechanical function.

Even symptom‐free patients or customers can benefit from using the Cluffy Wedge as it helps to improve stride

length, balance, endurance and overall function. The only time I would not recommend using the Cluffy Wedge is

Wedge, please visit www.cluffy.com. I am proud to recommend a product I really believe in and have had great

success adding to the Superfeet line of insoles.

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Cork, Natures Orthopaedic Material

 Good Day to you all.

This month's special is Cushion Cork!

Cork is a great material to use in any application in our fields.  It is naturally anti-bacterial, light weight, very resiliant, easy to mold and grinds very well.

Cork has been used for a multitude of applications for hundreds of years.  The naturally anti-bacterial properities were found by our ancestors in the wine industry to 'plug' the wine bottles and not have the wine turn sour. 

Now we can apply this knowledge in the manufacture of foot orthotics and brace applications and have no need to worry about harbouring bacteria. 

Look to our website for more information under 'specials' and see the material section under cushion cork for thicknesses. 

Make sure you quote #20116 to apply the 10 percent discount on this remarkable material.

Try some today!!!

Thanks for reading!

Kerry

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May Special on VPhoam

  VPhoam-your first choice in EVA

Good day to you all!  for the whole month of May VPhoam is on "special".  It is a perfect opportunity to find out why so many of our customers have switched their EVA needs to the VPhoam line.  For the month of May VPhoam will be reduced in price by 10 percent! 

VPhoam is premium EVA but is not priced as such.  We have done some comparative scans of the cellular structure and have found that VPhoam compares to the highest quality EVA's found in the market today!  It is consistent when heating and molding and will hold up to the rigours of the usage you choose. 

VPhoam is available in a range of durometers, colours and thicknessess.  It has a great "feel" and will surpass your expectations in applications.  

We at Vittoria Phoenix are proud to be able to provide our customers with this excellent line of EVA materials.

Call me today at 647 278 0299 for technical information about applications and usage.  Or call the office to take advantage of this offer.  Make sure you quote the number 20115W to apply the discount.  You will not be disappointed! 

Thank you, and remember that I am available for your calls and questions.  Don't forget you may also post questions to me on the "ask Kerry a question" section on the BLOG.  These questions are forwarded to my blackberry and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Kerry

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The Cluffy Wedge

 The Cluffy Wedge

Happy New Year to all! Hope everyone had a safe and pleasant holiday season. 

It is my pleasure to introduce to you a simple yet very functional product called the Cluffy Wedge.

The Cluffy Wedge has been in use in the U.S. with great success in the treatment of functional hallux limitus, metatarsalgia, keratomas (callouses), plantar faciitis, neuromas, achilles tendonitis, hallux valgus and other foot and gait abnormalities.

By applying the wedge the windlass mechanism is engaged therfore making the foot more stable through the the stance phase of the gait cycle and makes the toe off phase corrected.  Stand up and just lift up your big toe to see how stable the foot becomes!

Norm Hood had the pleasure of meeting the inventor of the Cluffy Wedge Dr. James Clough DPM at the Pedorthic conference in Orlando and was immediately pleased with the results of the application of a wedge placed under his insole.  Norm had a chronic pain in the lateral border of his foot and surrounding tissue.  He told me that within a few minutes he could feel the pain subsiding. 

This product has multiple patient testimonials available to see on youtube and from a plethora of medical professionals that can be seen on the Cluffy Biomedical website.  I encourage you, our friends and customers, to take the time and see for yourself the obvious advantages of this innovative product.

I will be available at your convenience to demonstrate with a power point presentation and hands-on explanation of the applications this product has to offer.

The Cluffy Wedge is a self adhesive wedge that is placed under the great toe on a custom made foot orthotic or over the counter insole. You can even apply it to an open toed sandal! The product must have room in the shoe to work effectively. Ladies and men's dress shoes with little room for the toes will not work well with this product.  Sport, walking, casual, sandals, and dress shoes that have adequate room are more than able to accommodate this great product.

Take a little time to seek out the available information and you will not be disappointed.  This item is available right now from us and I am available to answer all questions you may have about this innovative product! 

Thank you for your time.

Kerry

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Response to question

 Good Day to everyone!

I recently had a question put forth on the blog article about J-Gel.  Kevin Fraser, Cped(c), at Sunnybrook asked if you can sew J-Gel.  Well I went in and met with Kevin and we took a 3mm sample of J-Gel and put it to the test.  We were able to stitch the sample with no problem at all!  There was no clogging of the needle by the adhesive on the J-Gel and absolutely no breakdown of the material at the stitch line.  This means you will be able to apply J-Gel to areas that need a gel liner.  You can stitch the product to the tongue area of a shoe or a wrist gauntlet.  The applications are endless!  Try for yourself and let me know what you have done with this great product.

Thanks for your time.

Kerry

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J-Gel

 Hello everyone.

I encourage everyone who would use a gel product for cushioning, barrier, shoe modification or anywhere else a gel product could be used, to take a look at J-Gel.  This superior gel product from JMS is available in three thicknesses, 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm.  The self-adhesive product is impregnated with silver to make it safe for any client.  You can use the 1mm to cover a joint in an AFO. The 2 and 3mm can be used anywhere a gel cushion is needed.  You can even skive the edges by cutting the needed shape and taking the piece and put it in the freezer to be able to skive the edges easily.  Freezing the gel gives you the stiffness you need to be able to grind it with ease.  Then remove the adhesive cover and stick it where you need to! 

This cost effective product is easy to use and much more consistent than other gel products that you need to mix together. 

Give J-Gel a try.  You will not be disappointed.

Thanks

Kerry 

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A Shoe With An Open Heel Counter

 The new Aetrex shoe The Edge is now available.  I used to make a modification to footwear in the past when I needed to ease the donning and doffing of the shoe.  Especially when the client had an A.F.O.  I would take my knife or hacksaw and cut right down the middle of the heel counter, re-sew the edges, make a velcro strap and buckle, attach the said buckle and strap then make sure it would be strong enough to be able to keep the A.F.O. or foot in place.  The Edge has this modification already done for us.  The shoe is deep, comes in widths and has a variety of colours to choose from.  And yes it comes in ladies or men's.  It has a strong nylon type material upright on both the medial and lateral sides that will ensure the foot or A.F.O. stays in place.  You could use the shoe for any fitting problem that is applicable.  You decide!

Just thought you should know about this shoe.

Kerry

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Varifit Orthotic Fabrication VF-300

 It is not often in our industry that a new item causes you to stand up and take a really hard look.  When I first saw the Varifit Orthotic fabrication system I was impressed from the very start.  It utilizes known technology and some new and innovative ideas to give our industry a great new option in foot orthotic manufacture.  What would you say if you could eliminate plaster of paris in the production of at least 80 percent of your client load?  Not only is time saved (time is the most expensive part of our clinics and labs) but, the mess that plaster creates can be reduced to a minimum.  The Varifit VF-300 can help you not only assess your patient's needs but also with minimum effort you can create a pair of foot orthotics with the material of your choice that meets the needs of individual clients.  No need to use pre-made blanks that limit the type of orthotic your patient requires.

  The VF-300 incorporates innovative technology to make your custom-made foot orthotics easier to manufacture.  The fabulous educational software program provides a positive sales reinforcement tool.  You will have the choice to scan a foot from the pin impression cast or from the Accu-Light white light 3 dimensional cast scanner.  With the pin scan you can take a non-weight bearing neutral impression and then take a weight bearing cast to be able to do a comparison between the two scans.  Not unlike the old navicular drop measurement we used to use to compare the amount of weight-bearing differential.  The program will enable you to present to the client a positive reinforcement for the need for a custom-made device.  The educational portion of the software will certainly help with the sales portion of your clinic.  You have to see it to believe it!  Upon transfer of the information to the VF-300 manufacturing unit you will have the ability to modify the casts and to manipulate the positive mold in a variety of ways to assist in the fabrication of a functional pair of quality foot orthotics.  In as little as 20 minutes you can have the pair ready for the fitting!  An advanced robotic-arm pin matrix will create the positive mold while the material is heating in the provided oven.  Then you will form an orthotic on the pin cast with the vacuum press that is incorporated in the unit with the material of your choice.  Yes, you can choose what material you feel is the best to provide your clients with a pair of foot orthotics that suits their individual needs.  I have molded a wide variety of materials including, EVA, RCH 500 (subortholene), XT sprint, co-polymer and polypropylene.  The decision is yours to make on what material you will use. 

   This clean, user friendly system is available to be seen in operation via a webinar seminar from our friends at Varifit or you can contact me and see a live demonstration at the location in south Scarborough where the system is set up.  The location has been graciously provided by Cindy and Lou at All Care Home Health on Kingston Rd. Toronto.  Please do not hesitate to contact me via the website or my cell phone (1-647-278-0299).  You will not be disappointed.

   I also wish to promote the Varifit Biomechanics Summer School entitled "Foot Orthoses- The Foundation Of Therapeutic Biomechanics" program we are co-sponsoring with Varifit.  This educational program will provide you with not only a great informative two days but also an opportunity to spend some time at the fabulous Nottawasaga Inn and Resort. Points have been approved by various associations to keep your educational numbers up.  A great way to take time with your family at one of Ontario's finest country resorts and to learn at the same time!  The dates of the program are Friday, August 13th, 2010 and Saturday, August 14th 2010.  A variety of excellent speakers and educational seminars are yours for the asking.  Look on our website for information regarding the summer school or contact myself or the office to take advantage of this exciting seminar. 

 Thank you for taking the time to read this and we look forward to hearing from you.

Kerry

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