Current Pedorthics | July-August 2018 | Vol.50, Issue 4 | Page 55

CEU Understanding Achilles Tendinopathy for Improved Results in Orthotic Therapy By James McGuire DPM, PT, LPed, FAPWHc; Milad Manoucheh BA; Walter Payne BS I. TENDON PATHOLOGY Like everything else in the human body, tendons are prone to decline in function as we get older. It has been shown by Read This Article, Take Survey to Earn Continuing Education Units The Pedorthic Footcare Association (PFA) offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs), approved by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC) and the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC), via specially designated articles within Current Pedorthics magazine. To take advantage of the program, thoroughly read the adjacent CEU article and then visit: www.pedorthics.org and click on the Continuing Education Opportunities tab to purchase the 10-question quiz associated with this article. CEP quizzes cost $25 for members and $50 for non-members. The quizzes are worth 1.0 Scientific or Business CEU, depending on the content. Successful completion of the quiz will result in 1.0 CEP reported directly to ABC and BOC at the end of each quarter. Kannus and colleagues that tendon degeneration begins as early as age 30 (1). There are many factors that play a role in tendon degeneration. As we age structural and metabolic changes, decreased water content, decreased blood flow, Look for additional CEU-eligible articles in future issues of the magazine; previous articles are available in the magazine archive at www.pedorthics.org. lower oxygen delivery, and biomechanical changes such as decreased tensile strength all contribute to tendon degeneration. However; the rate at which we age and the If you have any questions, contact PFA, at (229) 389-3440 or e-mail: [email protected]. bodily changes and function declination is unique to the individual (2). The rate of change is highly dependent on genetics, life style, hormonal changes, medications, and Current Pedorthics | July/August 2018 53