A new and improved Richie AeroSpring System replaces walking boots and treats a variety of lower extremity pathologies.
Four pathology
specific systems:
A new and improved Richie AeroSpring System replaces walking boots and treats a variety of lower extremity pathologies.
Richie AeroSpring
BRACING SYSTEM
Featuring a redesigned medial ankle strut for enhanced pronation control. The medial strut is also "lower profile" to make it more streamlined and more comfortable by minimizing contact with the leg.
The footplate can be trimmed with scissors to customize shoe fit. No grinding necessary!
The upper shin cuff is more flexible for added comfort.
The strap closures and padding around the upper shin cuff are much improved for comfort and durability.
Foot and Ankle Specialists commonly prescribe walking boots to treat injuries of the lower extremity. The goal of this treatment is to limit motion and offload damaging forces on injured structures. While superior to cast immobilization in many cases, walking boots have many shortcomings. Patients wearing these devices often complain of proximal pain in the knees, hips and spine. Walking boots are heavy and difficult to secure properly around the foot, ankle and lower leg. When walking boots are worn on the right leg, it is impossible to drive an automobile.
Now, an innovative alternative can circumvent all of these negative aspects of walking boots while providing new and improved treatment effects on injured structures of the lower extremity. The new Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems combine the proven performance of a carbon fiber ankle-foot orthosis with a variety of pathology specific foot orthoses to stabilize the joints of the lower extremity and speed recovery.
The Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems have been redesigned to treat the most common conditions treated with walking boots by foot and ankle specialists:
- Plantar Heel Pain Syndrome-unresponsive to traditional treatment
- Achilles Tendon Rupture and Tendinopathy
- Sprain and/or Degenerative Arthritis of the Midfoot Joints
Now an even more dynamic, lightweight brace system can be worn for weeks and months by the injured patient with almost no negative effects on gait, general comfort or ability to drive an automobile. Besides improved compliance, patient outcomes may improve due the positive treatment effects of dynamic loading of tendons and ligaments.
The "system approach" of the Richie AeroSpring combines the therapeutic effects of a custom functional foot orthosis with the lower limb stabilizing effects of a dynamic ground reaction carbon fiber ankle-foot orthosis. Depending upon the pathology treated, the foot orthosis of the Richie AeroSpring is modified with specific features to address the foot and ankle condition to augment and optimize the effects of the AFO device. In every case, the foot orthosis is designed to "marry" to the AFO device to allow the two components to function as a "system" rather than two component parts.
Advantages of the Richie AeroSpring System vs Walking Boot
RAB SYSTEM
WALKING BOOT
Lightweight
Heavy
No-leg length discrepancy
Significant Limb Length discrepancy
Near normal gait
Significant gait disturbance
Can drive a car
Cannot drive a car
Minimal balance compromise
Significant Balance Comp
Total foot support/alignment
Zero foot support
Dynamic tendon loading
No dynamic tendon loading
No contact with ankle
Contact/pressure at ankle
Handsome reimbursement
Minimal reimbursement
Four pathology specific systems combining an ultra light dynamic carbon ankle-foot orthosis which has specific design features for each clinical condition
There are 3 essential components to the Richie AeroSpring System:
- A pre-fabricated carbon fiber composite ankle-foot orthosis which contains a full length footplate, a lateral strut around the ankle and an anterior strut along the tibia. The proximal section of the AFO contains a contoured plate with tibial relief cut out, padding and 2 adjustable anchor straps.
- A pair of custom functional foot orthoses. One orthosis is “married” to the footplate of the AFO brace and the other orthosis is worn in the contralateral shoe without an AFO brace. The orthoses are custom, intrinsically balanced functional foot orthoses which are fabricated with a semi-rigid crepe shell material and vinyl top cover. All foot orthoses incorporate the patented Richie ArchLock technology.
- Heel wedges to neutralize damaging forces on the Achilles, Plantar Fascia and Midfoot joints.
This brace system is designed to:
- Off load key structures in the lower leg, ankle and foot
- Restore normal gait without proximal compensation
- Facilitate healing to eventually discontinue brace use
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I provide this brace system for my patient?
Contact any authorized Richie Brace Distributor and ask for all information regarding the Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems including pricing and prescription/order forms. Basically, all you have to do is take a scan of your patient’s feet or take bilateral impression casts (slipper casts) and submit them with the prescription form to your lab distributor.
What if I do not want to order the foot orthotics and just want the carbon fiber brace?
The Richie AeroSpring is a SYSTEM which incorporates or marries the foot orthoses to the carbon fiber brace. To be effective, the system must contain a custom foot orthosis with the features designed to address the specific pathology of the patient. The material composition of the custom foot orthosis is designed to off set the hardness and rigidity of the carbon fiber footplate of the AFO. Therefore, the specialized custom foot orthotic component of the Richie AeroSpring Brace System cannot be excluded or replaced.
What if I do not want to order the heel wedges?
The heel wedges are recommended for certain pathologies but they are not required. The practitioner can indicate “no heel wedges” on the prescription form. Keep in the mind that certain pathologies will respond best to the system recommendations for certain heel wedge heights and practitioners are advised to follow these guidelines which are based upon sound research and product testing.
Can I send a scan of my patient’s feet instead of impression casts?
Yes, we will accept a scan such as TomCat or I-Pad scans.
When and how do I change the height of the heel wedges?
Please see our web page which describes the function and protocol for using the heel wedges.
What type of shoe is required for this brace system?
A lace up oxford style shoe or athletic shoe with a removable insole is recommended to accommodate the carbon fiber footplate of the brace as well as the foot orthosis. The 20 mm heel wedges will fit and work properly in most athletic shoes.
Can the foot orthotics be used after the brace is discontinued?
Yes, many of the conditions treated with the Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems do not require lifetime use of the carbon fiber AFO. Once the condition has healed, the foot orthoses can be worn separately from the brace itself.
What should I charge for the orthotics?
My patient has insurance benefits which cover the AFO brace (code L1932) but does not cover the custom foot orthotics (L3000). What should I charge for the orthotics?
You should charge the same fee which you normally charge your patients who must pay cash for foot orthotics. Keep in mind that the average reimbursement for the L1932 brace is $800 and your profit from this component alone is between $220 and $280. Any charge for the foot orthotics will add directly to the profit from the system.
How can I be certain that I will not loose any money here?
I am nervous about buying a system which has a price tag of $580. How can I be certain that I will not loose any money here?
The carbon fiber AFO (L1932) brace is PDAC approved, so there is no reason for Medicare to not approve the reimbursement if the patient meets medical necessity requirements. For other third party payors, it is highly recommended that your office gain pre-authorization for all codes relevant to the brace system.
Download Documents
Four pathology
specific systems:
Richie AeroSpring
BRACING SYSTEM
Featuring a redesigned medial ankle strut for enhanced pronation control. The medial strut is also "lower profile" to make it more streamlined and more comfortable by minimizing contact with the leg.
The footplate can be trimmed with scissors to customize shoe fit. No grinding necessary!
The upper shin cuff is more flexible for added comfort.
The strap closures and padding around the upper shin cuff are much improved for comfort and durability.
Foot and Ankle Specialists commonly prescribe walking boots to treat injuries of the lower extremity. The goal of this treatment is to limit motion and offload damaging forces on injured structures. While superior to cast immobilization in many cases, walking boots have many shortcomings. Patients wearing these devices often complain of proximal pain in the knees, hips and spine. Walking boots are heavy and difficult to secure properly around the foot, ankle and lower leg. When walking boots are worn on the right leg, it is impossible to drive an automobile.
Now, an innovative alternative can circumvent all of these negative aspects of walking boots while providing new and improved treatment effects on injured structures of the lower extremity. The new Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems combine the proven performance of a carbon fiber ankle-foot orthosis with a variety of pathology specific foot orthoses to stabilize the joints of the lower extremity and speed recovery.
The Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems have been redesigned to treat the most common conditions treated with walking boots by foot and ankle specialists:
- Plantar Heel Pain Syndrome-unresponsive to traditional treatment
- Achilles Tendon Rupture and Tendinopathy
- Sprain and/or Degenerative Arthritis of the Midfoot Joints
Now an even more dynamic, lightweight brace system can be worn for weeks and months by the injured patient with almost no negative effects on gait, general comfort or ability to drive an automobile. Besides improved compliance, patient outcomes may improve due the positive treatment effects of dynamic loading of tendons and ligaments.
The "system approach" of the Richie AeroSpring combines the therapeutic effects of a custom functional foot orthosis with the lower limb stabilizing effects of a dynamic ground reaction carbon fiber ankle-foot orthosis. Depending upon the pathology treated, the foot orthosis of the Richie AeroSpring is modified with specific features to address the foot and ankle condition to augment and optimize the effects of the AFO device. In every case, the foot orthosis is designed to "marry" to the AFO device to allow the two components to function as a "system" rather than two component parts.
Advantages of the Richie AeroSpring System vs Walking Boot
RAB SYSTEM
WALKING BOOT
Lightweight
Heavy
No-leg length discrepancy
Significant Limb Length discrepancy
Near normal gait
Significant gait disturbance
Can drive a car
Cannot drive a car
Minimal balance compromise
Significant Balance Comp
Total foot support/alignment
Zero foot support
Dynamic tendon loading
No dynamic tendon loading
No contact with ankle
Contact/pressure at ankle
Handsome reimbursement
Minimal reimbursement
Four pathology specific systems combining an ultra light dynamic carbon ankle-foot orthosis which has specific design features for each clinical condition
There are 3 essential components to the Richie AeroSpring System:
- A pre-fabricated carbon fiber composite ankle-foot orthosis which contains a full length footplate, a lateral strut around the ankle and an anterior strut along the tibia. The proximal section of the AFO contains a contoured plate with tibial relief cut out, padding and 2 adjustable anchor straps.
- A pair of custom functional foot orthoses. One orthosis is “married” to the footplate of the AFO brace and the other orthosis is worn in the contralateral shoe without an AFO brace. The orthoses are custom, intrinsically balanced functional foot orthoses which are fabricated with a semi-rigid crepe shell material and vinyl top cover. All foot orthoses incorporate the patented Richie ArchLock technology.
- Heel wedges to neutralize damaging forces on the Achilles, Plantar Fascia and Midfoot joints.
This brace system is designed to:
- Off load key structures in the lower leg, ankle and foot
- Restore normal gait without proximal compensation
- Facilitate healing to eventually discontinue brace use
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I provide this brace system for my patient?
Contact any authorized Richie Brace Distributor and ask for all information regarding the Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems including pricing and prescription/order forms. Basically, all you have to do is take a scan of your patient’s feet or take bilateral impression casts (slipper casts) and submit them with the prescription form to your lab distributor.
What if I do not want to order the foot orthotics and just want the carbon fiber brace?
The Richie AeroSpring is a SYSTEM which incorporates or marries the foot orthoses to the carbon fiber brace. To be effective, the system must contain a custom foot orthosis with the features designed to address the specific pathology of the patient. The material composition of the custom foot orthosis is designed to off set the hardness and rigidity of the carbon fiber footplate of the AFO. Therefore, the specialized custom foot orthotic component of the Richie AeroSpring Brace System cannot be excluded or replaced.
What if I do not want to order the heel wedges?
The heel wedges are recommended for certain pathologies but they are not required. The practitioner can indicate “no heel wedges” on the prescription form. Keep in the mind that certain pathologies will respond best to the system recommendations for certain heel wedge heights and practitioners are advised to follow these guidelines which are based upon sound research and product testing.
Can I send a scan of my patient’s feet instead of impression casts?
Yes, we will accept a scan such as TomCat or I-Pad scans.
When and how do I change the height of the heel wedges?
Please see our web page which describes the function and protocol for using the heel wedges.
What type of shoe is required for this brace system?
A lace up oxford style shoe or athletic shoe with a removable insole is recommended to accommodate the carbon fiber footplate of the brace as well as the foot orthosis. The 20 mm heel wedges will fit and work properly in most athletic shoes.
Can the foot orthotics be used after the brace is discontinued?
Yes, many of the conditions treated with the Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems do not require lifetime use of the carbon fiber AFO. Once the condition has healed, the foot orthoses can be worn separately from the brace itself.
What should I charge for the orthotics?
My patient has insurance benefits which cover the AFO brace (code L1932) but does not cover the custom foot orthotics (L3000). What should I charge for the orthotics?
You should charge the same fee which you normally charge your patients who must pay cash for foot orthotics. Keep in mind that the average reimbursement for the L1932 brace is $800 and your profit from this component alone is between $220 and $280. Any charge for the foot orthotics will add directly to the profit from the system.
How can I be certain that I will not loose any money here?
I am nervous about buying a system which has a price tag of $580. How can I be certain that I will not loose any money here?
The carbon fiber AFO (L1932) brace is PDAC approved, so there is no reason for Medicare to not approve the reimbursement if the patient meets medical necessity requirements. For other third party payors, it is highly recommended that your office gain pre-authorization for all codes relevant to the brace system.
Download Documents
A new and improved Richie AeroSpring System replaces walking boots and treats a variety of lower extremity pathologies.
Four pathology
specific systems:
Richie AeroSpring
BRACING SYSTEM
Featuring a redesigned medial ankle strut for enhanced pronation control. The medial strut is also "lower profile" to make it more streamlined and more comfortable by minimizing contact with the leg.
The footplate can be trimmed with scissors to customize shoe fit. No grinding necessary!
The upper shin cuff is more flexible for added comfort.
The strap closures and padding around the upper shin cuff are much improved for comfort and durability.
Foot and Ankle Specialists commonly prescribe walking boots to treat injuries of the lower extremity. The goal of this treatment is to limit motion and offload damaging forces on injured structures. While superior to cast immobilization in many cases, walking boots have many shortcomings. Patients wearing these devices often complain of proximal pain in the knees, hips and spine. Walking boots are heavy and difficult to secure properly around the foot, ankle and lower leg. When walking boots are worn on the right leg, it is impossible to drive an automobile.
Now, an innovative alternative can circumvent all of these negative aspects of walking boots while providing new and improved treatment effects on injured structures of the lower extremity. The new Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems combine the proven performance of a carbon fiber ankle-foot orthosis with a variety of pathology specific foot orthoses to stabilize the joints of the lower extremity and speed recovery.
The Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems have been redesigned to treat the most common conditions treated with walking boots by foot and ankle specialists:
- Plantar Heel Pain Syndrome-unresponsive to traditional treatment
- Achilles Tendon Rupture and Tendinopathy
- Sprain and/or Degenerative Arthritis of the Midfoot Joints
Advantages of the Richie AeroSpring System vs Walking Boot
RAB SYSTEM
WALKING BOOT
Lightweight
Heavy
No-leg length discrepancy
Significant Limb Length discrepancy
Near normal gait
Significant gait disturbance
Can drive a car
Cannot drive a car
Minimal balance compromise
Significant Balance Comp
Total foot support/alignment
Zero foot support
Dynamic tendon loading
No dynamic tendon loading
No contact with ankle
Contact/pressure at ankle
Handsome reimbursement
Minimal reimbursement
Four pathology specific systems combining an ultra light dynamic carbon ankle-foot orthosis which has specific design features for each clinical condition
There are 3 essential components to the Richie AeroSpring System:
- A pre-fabricated carbon fiber composite ankle-foot orthosis which contains a full length footplate, a lateral strut around the ankle and an anterior strut along the tibia. The proximal section of the AFO contains a contoured plate with tibial relief cut out, padding and 2 adjustable anchor straps.
- A pair of custom functional foot orthoses. One orthosis is “married” to the footplate of the AFO brace and the other orthosis is worn in the contralateral shoe without an AFO brace. The orthoses are custom, intrinsically balanced functional foot orthoses which are fabricated with a semi-rigid crepe shell material and vinyl top cover. All foot orthoses incorporate the patented Richie ArchLock technology.
- Heel wedges to neutralize damaging forces on the Achilles, Plantar Fascia and Midfoot joints.
This brace system is designed to:
- Off load key structures in the lower leg, ankle and foot
- Restore normal gait without proximal compensation
- Facilitate healing to eventually discontinue brace use
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I provide this brace system for my patient?
Contact any authorized Richie Brace Distributor and ask for all information regarding the Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems including pricing and prescription/order forms. Basically, all you have to do is take a scan of your patient’s feet or take bilateral impression casts (slipper casts) and submit them with the prescription form to your lab distributor.
What if I do not want to order the foot orthotics and just want the carbon fiber brace?
The Richie AeroSpring is a SYSTEM which incorporates or marries the foot orthoses to the carbon fiber brace. To be effective, the system must contain a custom foot orthosis with the features designed to address the specific pathology of the patient. The material composition of the custom foot orthosis is designed to off set the hardness and rigidity of the carbon fiber footplate of the AFO. Therefore, the specialized custom foot orthotic component of the Richie AeroSpring Brace System cannot be excluded or replaced.
What if I do not want to order the heel wedges?
The heel wedges are recommended for certain pathologies but they are not required. The practitioner can indicate “no heel wedges” on the prescription form. Keep in the mind that certain pathologies will respond best to the system recommendations for certain heel wedge heights and practitioners are advised to follow these guidelines which are based upon sound research and product testing.
Can I send a scan of my patient’s feet instead of impression casts?
Yes, we will accept a scan such as TomCat or I-Pad scans.
When and how do I change the height of the heel wedges?
Please see our web page which describes the function and protocol for using the heel wedges.
What type of shoe is required for this brace system?
A lace up oxford style shoe or athletic shoe with a removable insole is recommended to accommodate the carbon fiber footplate of the brace as well as the foot orthosis. The 20 mm heel wedges will fit and work properly in most athletic shoes.
Can the foot orthotics be used after the brace is discontinued?
Yes, many of the conditions treated with the Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems do not require lifetime use of the carbon fiber AFO. Once the condition has healed, the foot orthoses can be worn separately from the brace itself.
What should I charge for the orthotics?
My patient has insurance benefits which cover the AFO brace (code L1932) but does not cover the custom foot orthotics (L3000). What should I charge for the orthotics?
You should charge the same fee which you normally charge your patients who must pay cash for foot orthotics. Keep in mind that the average reimbursement for the L1932 brace is $800 and your profit from this component alone is between $220 and $280. Any charge for the foot orthotics will add directly to the profit from the system.
How can I be certain that I will not loose any money here?
I am nervous about buying a system which has a price tag of $580. How can I be certain that I will not loose any money here?
The carbon fiber AFO (L1932) brace is PDAC approved, so there is no reason for Medicare to not approve the reimbursement if the patient meets medical necessity requirements. For other third party payors, it is highly recommended that your office gain pre-authorization for all codes relevant to the brace system.
Download Documents