Workshops for That Perfect Fit

The DAFOs you order from us should fit and function perfectly the first time. This is the ultimate goal of everyone who works at Cascade Dafo, and it’s incredibly complex. We are dedicated to continuous improvement in all of our processes: planning, research, manufacturing and support.

To support fit and function, we offer several forms of guidance—Customer Service, Technical Support and the website, to name a few. The best support, though, happens right up front, often before you have even begun to evaluate a patient for orthoses. That support is a Cascade DAFO workshop.

Cascade does not require attendance at a workshop in order to work with us, but practitioners who have taken our workshops report them as very helpful. Comments mention our dedication, the practical tips, the useful information and participants’ increased confidence in selecting styles and casting.

Cascade has been holding workshops nationwide for almost 20 years, and our offerings have grown steadily. At first, only Don Buethorn taught workshops; now we have four instructors and two people who schedule over 50 sessions of several kinds per year.

Cascade offers interactive workshops covering topics from basic practices to beyond the casting process. You can travel to attend a workshop, or you can inquire about hosting a workshop. For specifics about workshop topics, see the sidebar to the right.

Hosting a workshop

If you are among a large local or regional community of practitioners, or if you’d like to explore orthotic solutions in depth for your specific client base, consider hosting a DAFO workshop. All you need to do is help us arrange a venue and give us suggestions of who might be interested in the workshop.

From there, we will print and mail brochures for the workshop and handle registrations. In order to keep registration costs low, we cover the cost of the instructors’ airfare and lodging as well as other incidentals. We do have facility requirements for the workshop: projection screen, adequate space and so on. For specifics on these requirements, please feel free to ask us. (Involving us early in your plans can save time and money.)

As a workshop sponsor, you receive many benefits in addition to the convenient location. If there are special topics you want covered, we are happy to discuss customizing the workshop for you. As the workshop sponsor, you receive a full complimentary set of our casting footplates. Finally, in the course of announcing the workshop to practitioners in your area, we name your practice as the sponsoring group, increasing your professional visibility.

We realize that workshops aren’t for everyone. Please do keep in mind that other options are available to you. Customer Service can help you with order form questions and send you information (such as our Casting for Dafos booklet). Technical Support is happy to assist you with practitioner referrals, brace selection and troubleshooting. And our website is constantly being updated to keep you in the know. Happy casting!

Introduction to Dynamic Bracing workshop

This one-day in-service covers theory and practical application of dynamic AFOs. It’s designed for practitioners who are not necessarily casting their patients but who are instrumental in determining which type of DAFO style would be appropriate and who are following patients wearing DAFOs.

Topics include lower extremity biomechanics (normal and abnormal populations), patient identification, brace style selection, assessments of fit and minor clinical adjustments.

Dynamic Bracing workshop

This two-day course focuses on theory and application in learning how to evaluate patients for, cast for and order our dynamic AFOs. It takes you through the steps: biomechanical assessment of foot and ankle, determining which style of DAFO is right for your patient, how to cast and measure for braces, and how to send the cast and order information. As part of the workshop, you receive casting supplies which are yours to keep.

Advanced workshop

This one-day workshop is for practitioners who already have experience with DAFOs. It reviews biomechanics and the DAFO brace system. The class then concentrates on the casting techniques, brace features and design modifications that provide better fit, function and compliance. It focuses especially on patients exhibiting severe pronation or supination, unstable or uncorrectable foot positions, strong plantarflexion, crouching or hyperextension. The workshop frequently involves troubleshooting for specific patient issues and a patient demonstration to hone your assessment skills.

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From left, Annie Shannahan and Karen Christenson. Karen Christenson handles workshop fees, registration, Continuing Education Units, workshop hosting, and other questions. You can reach her at 800/848-7332 x 218 or at karenc@dafo.com. Annie Shannahan handles the Advanced workshops. You can reach her at 800/848-7332 x 260 or at annies@dafo.com.