Help for foot problems in Hobbema

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Ultrex Podiatric Laboratories is a new business in Hobbema, located on the Samson reserve, and owned and operated by Dr. Deb Crowfoot.

Officially opened April 1, Ultrex is not only unique to Alberta, "it is the most high-tech lab in Canada," when it comes to designing and manufacturing prescription orthotics (inserts) for shoes, according to Mark Tilling, the business manager.

He describes orthotics as being "very effective in treating many different types of foot problems." Eliminating excess pressure, which leads to calluses or even bone deterioration and ulcers, can save many people from infections and lower limb amputations. This is particularly true of people with diabetes. Prescription orthotics also restore proper alignment of joints and bones in the feet and alleviate fatigue, back and knee pain, and painful foot conditions that result from biomechanical faults.

According to Tilling, Ultrex' computer milling process produces high quality, lighter-weight orthotics more rapidly than the old hand-made methods. The technology cuts out about 15 steps and are about 20 per cent cheaper, he says.

Tilling is talking about a patent protected, American Digital Orthotics-owned machine made by Mitsubishi. Ultrex is the only company in Canada that has purchased the technology and there are only abut four such systems in North America. The machine costs more than $250,000.

Currently Ultrex has five employees being trained by lab manager John Burney, and there are plans to hire more in Hobbema.

Burney, on a two-year work visa from Iowa, started with Ultrex in early January when the lab was under construction. He formerly managed the lab and taught at the University of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa.

"By hand I could do six pair a day. The machine can do about 15 to 20 pair a day," Burney says. "I have had some doctors say that the quality is better (with automated production)."

Tilling says it takes the lab five business days to finish orthotics, compared to an industry standard of three weeks.

Ultrex has a business relationship with The Centre of Excellence for Prevention of Amputation for Native People (CEPAN), at the Hobbema Health Centre on the Ermineskin reserve.

It is run by doctors who provide podiatric treatment and who write prescriptions for orthotics.

Ultrex also fills prescriptions for doctors who are not affiliated with CEPAN. Clients "could go to any podiatrist, foot specialist, and get a prescription for that," Tilling said.

Albertans pay from $375 to $399 for orthotics. Orthotics are covered by MSB, Tilling says, "but the actual medical service from the doctor is not." At the present time, patients pay the cost of podiatric care, even foot surgery. Patients covered under Alberta Health are only allowed $250 a year for podiatric services, including surgery.

Ultrex' future plans include getting another milling machine and eventually expanding the business to manufacture custom-made shoes. Tilling estimates that it will be September before they are up to full production. With a second mill, he says, they will produce 3,000 pairs of orthotics a month. Current production is about 500.